Improper Storage of Nutritional Supplements and Damaged Ice Machine Door
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that nutritional supplements were being stored directly on the floor in two medication rooms, including the memory care unit and the transitional care unit (TCU). Multiple open and unopened cases of supplements such as Breeze, Boost, and Ensure Plus were found on the floor. Staff, including registered nurses and the clinical coordinator, stated that the supplements were placed on the floor upon delivery and were unaware that this was not an acceptable storage practice. It was also noted that there was available space in cupboards and on shelves that could have been used for proper storage. No facility policy regarding the storage of nutritional supplements was provided upon request. Additionally, the facility failed to maintain the ice machine in good repair. During a kitchen tour, the ice machine was found to have two areas on the door where the black plastic surface was missing, exposing yellow insulation that was worn and had a brown, yellow substance along the broken edge. The dietary director acknowledged that the damaged areas could not be properly cleaned or disinfected, raising concerns about infection control. No maintenance or housekeeping work orders related to the ice machine door were found in the facility's records, and no policy for ice machine maintenance was provided.