Improper Use of Hairnets by Dietary Staff During Food Preparation and Service
Penalty
Summary
Dietary staff failed to ensure that hairnets were properly worn to restrain all hair while preparing and serving food for the facility's 90 residents. During multiple observations, a dietary staff member was seen with a hairnet that only covered the top part of her hair, leaving approximately 12 inches of hair hanging down her back and outside the hairnet while preparing pureed foods, preparing the lunch meal, and serving food from the steam table. The staff member acknowledged that the hairnet should cover her whole head but stated she was in a hurry and forgot to put it on properly. Interviews with the Regional Registered Dietitian, Dietary Manager, Director of Nursing, and Administrator confirmed their expectations that hairnets should be worn at all times in the kitchen and must cover all hair to prevent contamination of food. Review of the facility's infection control policy also indicated that hairnets or caps must be worn to effectively keep hair from contacting exposed food, clean equipment, utensils, and linens. The failure to properly restrain hair while handling food was directly observed and confirmed by staff interviews and policy review.