Failure to Monitor and Ensure Safe Storage of Resident Food Brought from Outside
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and enforce a policy regarding the use and storage of foods brought in by family and visitors for residents, specifically in the case of one resident with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, hypertension, and depression. The resident, who had moderately impaired cognition and required assistance with eating, had a personal refrigerator in her room. Observations revealed that the thermometer inside the refrigerator was not functioning properly, as it displayed a temperature of 26 degrees F while the contents, such as an open can of soda, were not frozen. Despite this, staff continued to record and log inaccurate refrigerator temperatures for five months, with recorded temperatures ranging from 12 to 34 degrees F. Interviews with staff indicated that housekeeping was responsible for recording refrigerator temperatures, but they failed to recognize or report the malfunctioning thermometer to nursing staff. The facility's policy required safe food handling and storage, including maintaining refrigerator temperatures at or below 40 degrees F, but staff were not adequately educated on the correct temperature range. The lack of a functioning thermometer and accurate temperature monitoring could have resulted in unsafe storage conditions for food brought in by families, potentially placing residents at risk.