Failure to Follow Food Handling Protocols During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to follow professional standards for food service safety during meal distribution and service for four residents. Observation during a dinner meal revealed that an LPN handled unwrapped food items, specifically buns, with bare hands while cutting sandwiches in half, and also touched straws with bare hands when placing them in residents' drinks. The facility's policy explicitly states that staff should avoid handling unwrapped food items with bare hands. During interviews, the LPN acknowledged not wearing gloves and stated she had not considered the need due to familiarity with the residents. Both the Director of Nursing and the Administrator confirmed that staff are expected to wear gloves and avoid direct contact with food and straws, in accordance with facility policy.