Failure to Serve Food at Safe and Palatable Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to serve food at a palatable and safe temperature for four residents during meal service. On the day of the survey, the dietary manager measured the temperature of honey glazed ham before serving and found it to be 90 degrees Fahrenheit in three different locations, which is below the facility's policy requirement of 136 degrees or above for hot foods. Despite this, the ham was served to residents without any attempt to raise its temperature. Later, a tray refused by a resident was tested and the ham was found to be 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Multiple residents who received the ham during lunch expressed that the food was not hot, with comments indicating it was barely warm or not even warm. All affected residents were alert and oriented at the time of the meal. The facility's policy clearly states that hot foods must be held at 136 degrees or above until served, but this procedure was not followed, resulting in the deficiency.