Failure to Monitor Chemical Sanitization in Dish Machine
Penalty
Summary
Dietary staff failed to demonstrate competency in monitoring the chemical sanitization level of the low temperature dish machine, as required by facility policy and manufacturer guidelines. The dish machine was observed to have a chlorine level of 0 ppm, below the minimum requirement of 50 ppm. The dietary manager confirmed that staff were only recording rinse/wash temperatures and not the chemical sanitization level. Interviews revealed that neither the dietary manager nor dietary aides had previously measured or documented the chemical sanitization level for the dish machine, and the dietary manager was unaware of the minimum required level. Further review showed that the dish machine had a malfunctioning nozzle, which was only identified and repaired after the deficiency was observed. Staff interviews indicated a lack of training and awareness regarding the need to test and document the chemical sanitization level each shift. The failure to monitor and document the chemical sanitization process could have affected all 111 residents served by the dietary department.