Failure to Maintain Safe and Functional Kitchen Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe and functional kitchen environment, as evidenced by broken ceramic floor tiles throughout the kitchen and a non-functioning exhaust fan above the stove. Observations confirmed that the kitchen floor had missing and uneven tiles, a condition that had persisted for at least five years according to staff interviews. The exhaust fan was not operational, resulting in unusually high temperatures around the stove area. Staff members, including dietary aides and cooks, reported that these issues had been ongoing, with the broken tiles present since their employment began and the exhaust fan not working on consecutive days. The dietary manager and maintenance director acknowledged the problems, stating that maintenance was aware of the exhaust fan failure and that efforts were underway to replace the broken tiles. The facility's environmental services policy requires the environment to be maintained in a manner that promotes health and safety for residents, personnel, and the public. At the time of the deficiency, 92 residents were consuming food prepared in the affected kitchen, but no specific medical history or conditions of the residents were mentioned in relation to the deficiency.