Failure to Maintain Cleanliness and Follow Cleaning Schedules in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to maintain kitchen equipment in a safe and clean condition and did not follow established cleaning schedules for the kitchen and food service equipment. During multiple kitchen inspections, significant buildups of dirt, food debris, and discoloration were found on equipment such as table-mounted and counter can openers, the stove's catch drawer, prep tables, and stainless-steel counters. The Food Service Director (FSD) confirmed the presence of these buildups and acknowledged that the stove catch-drawer and other equipment should have been cleaned. A review of facility documentation revealed that the cleaning schedule was not being followed, as no completed checklists were available for review. The FSD confirmed that cleaning assignments were not being completed as required. The facility's own policy required daily cleaning duties to be listed, cleaning assignments to be posted, and schedules to be initialed and dated upon completion, but these procedures were not adhered to, resulting in unsanitary kitchen conditions.