Deficiencies in Food Storage, Preparation, and Staff Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified multiple deficiencies in the facility's food service operations during the recertification survey. On the initial kitchen tour, food items were found unsealed, undated, and expired in the freezer, dry storage, and refrigerator. Specific items included unsealed frozen hamburgers, chicken nuggets, and rolls, as well as expired waffles, angel food cake mix, and biscuit mix. Boxes of grape jelly were stored on the floor, and several refrigerated items such as pepperoni, tortillas, salads, sandwiches, fruit cups, and pudding were undated. The handwash sink in the food preparation area was not functioning, and staff reported the sensor had been broken for about a week. During a follow-up kitchen visit, food temperatures on the steam table were below required levels, with steak fries at 120°F and pureed meat at 130°F. Dietary staff were observed not wearing proper hair or beard restraints, and one staff member used gloved hands to handle food and then touched their face without changing gloves. In the C1 unit pantry refrigerator, there were undated and expired food items, including juice bottles, applesauce, pizza, guacamole, sandwiches, and yogurt. The temperature log for the refrigerator was incomplete, and both nursing and food service staff acknowledged responsibility for monitoring and discarding outdated items.