Failure to Store and Monitor Food Safely
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food in a sanitary manner for its residents. On the day of the survey, two boxes containing 48 cups each of yogurt were observed left on the kitchen floor at room temperature for over three hours after delivery. The Dietary Manager confirmed that the yogurt, along with other refrigerated items such as milk and eggs, should have been placed in the refrigerator immediately upon arrival but were not. Both the Dietary Manager and the Registered Dietician acknowledged that the yogurt should have been discarded due to the risk of foodborne illness. Facility policy requires that potentially hazardous foods be put away quickly to minimize contamination and bacterial growth. Additionally, the facility did not monitor and document the temperature of a freezer during an evening shift, as required by their policy. The Dietary Manager confirmed that the freezer temperature log was missing an entry for the specified shift, and stated that accurate documentation is necessary to ensure food is held at safe temperatures. The facility's policy mandates that cooler and freezer temperatures be checked and recorded daily using internal thermometers.
Plan Of Correction
Facility plan to monitor corrective actions & sustain compliance; Integrate QA Process; RD will compile data from these audits and present to monthly QAPI meetings for 3 months to ensure substantial compliance. F0812 - Immediate corrective action(s) for those residents affected by the deficient practice; Dietary staff threw the yogurt out that wasn't properly stored within two hours of delivery. Plan / Process to identify other residents potentially affected by the same deficient practice and corrective action(s) to be taken; All residents have the potential to be affected if time sensitive foods aren't properly stored after delivery within 2 hours. Facility measures and systemic changes to ensure the deficient practice does not recur; Dietary Manager (DM) completed an in-service focusing on the urgency of prioritizing time sensitive foods on 7/29/25 for dietary staff that manage food delivery. In-service conducted on 8/7/25 covering proper procedure for logging fridge and freezer temperatures. The DM or designee will audit to ensure that all time sensitive items have been properly stored one hour after food delivery (Tuesdays and Fridays). If any item is found to still be out, DM or designee will assist Dietary Aide to ensure time sensitive items are stored properly within 2 hours of delivery. Freezer temperature logs will be audited daily by the DM and Assistant Dietary Manager daily. Facility plan to monitor corrective actions & sustain compliance; Integrate QA Process; Audit results will be presented at monthly meetings for a minimum of three months to the QAPI committee to ensure compliance.