Failure to Maintain Sanitary Kitchen Conditions and Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen environment as required by professional standards and its own sanitation policy. During multiple observations, surveyors found that storage areas for resident food and fluids were not kept clean and were affected by foul odors. Specifically, a milk cooler emitted a strong rancid odor and contained puddles of water and milk, and there was a presence of fruit flies and gnats in the kitchen. Shelves and bins designated for clean pots, pans, and utensils were found to be dirty, with visible dirt, grease, and food particles present. Additionally, utility fans in both storage and preparation areas were thickly covered with dust and dirt and were not routinely cleaned. Interviews with the Food Service Director (FSD) and the Director of Maintenance revealed that cleaning tasks for shelving and bins were not included in the kitchen's cleaning schedule, and utility fans were only cleaned when notified by dietary staff. The FSD acknowledged that the observed sanitation issues posed an infection control concern, and the Director of Maintenance confirmed that the fruit fly/gnat issue had persisted for about a month. The utility fans, intended to help with the insect problem, were not routinely cleaned and should not have been in the kitchen if dirty.