Failure to Monitor Personal Refrigerator Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to monitor the temperature of a resident's personal refrigerator as required by facility policy. The policy stated that personal refrigerators must include a thermometer and be subject to the same regular temperature monitoring as other facility refrigerators, with documentation of temperatures. Observation revealed that a resident had a personal refrigerator in their room without a thermometer and without any visible temperature log sheet. Further inspection of the refrigerator confirmed the absence of a thermometer. Interviews with the Assistant Director of Nursing and an LPN confirmed that temperatures for personal refrigerators were supposed to be documented on the resident's electronic medication administration record (EMAR) every shift. However, review of the resident's EMAR showed no evidence that temperatures had been monitored or recorded. The Nursing Home Administrator also confirmed that the refrigerator lacked a thermometer and that there was no evidence of temperature monitoring for the resident's personal refrigerator.