Deficient Food Storage and Handling Practices Observed
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper food storage and handling practices in multiple areas, as observed during surveyor visits. Dietary staff were seen in the main kitchen without appropriate hairnets or beard nets, and opened packages of frozen potato products were found in the freezer without being placed in sealed bags, labeled, or dated. In the dining and serving areas, a dietary server wore gloves but did not change them after draining liquid from a bowl of fruit before continuing to serve food. Additionally, a dietary server in a kitchenette was observed serving food without her long hair secured in a hairnet. A Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) assisted with serving prepared plates to residents, handling plates with her thumb on the lip of the plate and failing to perform hand hygiene during the meal service. These actions were not in accordance with the facility's Food Storage- Food Safety & Infection Control policy, which requires all opened food items to be labeled, dated, and properly sealed, and for staff to wear hairnets in food preparation and serving areas. The observed deficiencies placed residents at risk of food-borne illnesses.