Failure to Label and Date Food Items in Resident Refrigerator
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its policy regarding the labeling and dating of food items brought in by family or visitors and stored in a resident's personal refrigerator. During an observation and interview, it was found that a resident's refrigerator contained several food items, including a covered plastic container with cooked sausage, a disposable bowl with canned peaches, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, and two pieces of bread, none of which were labeled or dated as required by facility policy. The only exception was the sandwich, which was labeled with the resident's name but not dated. The resident was unable to recall how long the food had been stored in the refrigerator. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that food in residents' refrigerators should be labeled and dated, and acknowledged that failure to do so could result in residents consuming spoiled or old food. The DON also stated that staff are responsible for checking the labeling and dating of food during advocate rounds, but noted that sometimes residents refuse to allow staff to open their refrigerators. Review of the facility's policy confirmed the requirement for labeling, dating, and monitoring food items stored in residents' refrigerators.