Lack of Competent Dietary Staff and Training for Essential Kitchen Duties
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient and competent dietary staff to perform essential kitchen duties, as evidenced by the experience of a dietary aide who had been employed for one month. During an observation, the aide was found washing breakfast dishes and flatware in the main kitchen using an industrial dishwashing machine. When asked about the dish machine temperature log, which is necessary to ensure proper sanitization, the aide stated she was unaware of the log, did not know how to check or record the temperatures, and had not been shown how to perform these tasks since being hired. She also indicated she was working independently, responsible for washing breakfast dishes before the designated dishwasher arrived later in the morning. Further interview with the dining director confirmed there was no evidence that the dietary aide, or any other dining/dietary staff, had been trained or deemed competent to perform dishwashing or other essential dietary duties independently. There was no written documentation of training or competency for dietary staff since the aide's hire date. These findings were reviewed with the Nursing Home Administrator.