Deficiencies in Hand Hygiene, Food Storage, and Staff Attire
Penalty
Summary
A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) was observed during meal service in the D-Hall Dining Room engaging in multiple lapses in hand hygiene. The CNA pushed a chair, touched her nose, face, and ear, and then proceeded to serve a meal tray to a resident without performing hand hygiene between these actions. She handled the resident's plate, napkin, silverware, and food items directly before the resident began eating. The CNA later used hand sanitizer before serving another tray, but facility policy required the use of hand sanitizer after each tray and prohibited staff from touching themselves before serving meals. The CNA confirmed during an interview that these procedures were not followed as required. In the kitchen, an Activity Aide was observed preparing drinks without a beard net, despite having a long beard that was not restrained, contrary to facility policy. Additionally, the kitchen refrigerators contained several food items that were either undated, expired, or not properly labeled, including tuna salad, Dijon pork, milk, and tomato juice. The Assistant Dietary Manager confirmed that these items should have been labeled and discarded according to facility policy, and that the staff member's beard should have been covered while in the kitchen.