Unsanitary Handling of Extra Meal Trays in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
During a dining observation, both independent and dependent residents were brought into the main dining room, and staff transported retherm carts containing meal trays. A Dietary Aide (DA) removed six untouched, covered meal trays from the hot box compartment of a retherm cart and transported them to the soiled area of the kitchen. These trays were placed on a two-tiered metal cart near the dishwasher, two soiled trash cans, and a bucket containing a soiled mop and dirty mop water. The DA then returned to the dining room, performed hand hygiene, and assisted with passing out meal trays to residents. The Dining Services Supervisor (DSS) confirmed that the trays placed in the soiled area were extras and would be discarded if not needed, but acknowledged that meals potentially for consumption should not be stored in that area. The Dining Services Manager (DSM) stated that her expectation was for extra or substitution trays to remain on the retherm cart to prevent cross-contamination and not be placed in soiled work areas if there was a potential for consumption. The Director of Nursing (DON) also stated that trays should remain in the retherm cart until it is confirmed that no residents need additional trays, after which they can be discarded.