Failure to Follow Sanitation and Food Handling Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to proper sanitation and food handling practices as required by professional standards and its own policies. Observations revealed that kitchen staff with facial hair, specifically two cooks with full beards, were preparing meals without wearing beard nets. Multiple staff and residents confirmed that beard nets were not consistently used, with one resident, a former USDA inspector, estimating compliance at only about 60%. Additionally, several staff and residents reported that only the main plate of food was covered during transportation to resident rooms, while side dishes and drinks were routinely left uncovered. This was corroborated by direct observation of meal trays being delivered on an open cart with only the main plate covered. Interviews with residents, CNAs, and a family member consistently indicated that the lack of beard nets and uncovered side dishes and drinks was a regular occurrence. The facility's own policies require all food to be covered during transportation and mandate the use of hair restraints and beard guards for staff with facial hair. The administrator acknowledged awareness of these issues and confirmed that beard nets had been ordered and that corrective actions would be taken, but at the time of the survey, the deficiencies persisted, potentially affecting all 38 residents in the facility.