Failure to Monitor and Date Perishable Foods in Refrigerators
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to properly monitor and maintain both resident and common area refrigerators, and did not ensure that perishable foods were appropriately dated and discarded according to professional standards and manufacturer recommendations. Specifically, opened boxes of thickened liquids in the bistro area refrigerators were found with only the date of receipt, not the date they were opened, and remained in the refrigerators well past the recommended 6-7 day discard period. The Dietary Manager confirmed that staff are expected to label boxes with the date opened and discard them after 6 days, but there was no formal policy in place, only manufacturer guidance. Additionally, the Diet Type Report indicated that several residents required thickened liquids, making proper handling critical for their care. Further deficiencies were noted in resident room refrigerators, where some units lacked thermometers and were found operating above the recommended temperature range of 33-41°F. Perishable food items, including yogurt, hot dogs, and lunch meat, were stored without proper dating, and residents or their families were not consistently informed or required to label or check in food brought from home. Staff interviews confirmed that the same food safety rules apply to resident refrigerators as to the kitchen, including the need for dating and timely disposal of perishable items. The facility's own policy required labeling and dating of perishable foods, but this was not consistently followed, as evidenced by undated and potentially expired food items found during the survey.