Failure to Label and Refrigerate Perishable Food Brought by Visitors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its policy and procedure regarding the labeling and storage of food items brought in by family or visitors for a resident. Specifically, an unlabeled, opened ketchup bottle and an unlabeled, opened jar of red raspberry preserves were observed at the bedside of a resident over several days. Both items were labeled by the manufacturer to be refrigerated after opening, but were instead left at room temperature in the resident's room. The resident reported that the items had been opened for several weeks and that staff had not offered to store them in the refrigerator. Interviews with a CNA and the Infection Preventionist Nurse confirmed that the food items should have been labeled with the resident's name, room number, and date received, and stored in the refrigerator as per facility policy. The staff acknowledged that improper storage of such items could lead to foodborne illness. Review of the facility's policy indicated that perishable foods must be stored in resealable containers with tightly fitting lids in the refrigerator and labeled appropriately, with nursing staff responsible for discarding perishable foods on or before the 'use by' date.