Unsanitary Water Distribution Practices Identified
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide water to residents in a sanitary manner, as observed during the distribution of ice water to five residents. An activity aide used a scoop to fill residents' cups from a cooler containing water and ice, placing the wet scoop back onto the water cart after each use, rather than storing it in a sanitary location. Additionally, the aide held residents' water cups, which had been removed from their rooms, directly above the open cooler while filling them. The food service director confirmed that these practices were not in accordance with facility policy, which prohibits placing the scoop on the cart and holding cups above the cooler due to the risk of cross contamination. These actions were observed during the survey and were inconsistent with the facility's policy on ice dispensing, which requires food and beverages to be stored, prepared, distributed, and served in a sanitary manner to prevent foodborne illness.