Failure to Label and Date Resident Food Brought by Family
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its policy regarding the use and storage of foods brought in by family and visitors for residents. During an observation, a personal refrigerator in a resident's room contained ham in an unlabeled and undated clear plastic bag, as well as green salsa in three small, clear, unlabeled, and undated containers. The temperature log for the refrigerator had not been updated for several days. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that food in resident refrigerators should be labeled and dated, and that the temperature log should be filled out daily. The DON also stated she was responsible for checking the refrigerator and updating the log. Record review showed that the facility's policy required all food brought by family or visitors and left with residents to be labeled and stored in a manner distinguishable from facility-prepared food, and that perishable foods should be discarded by the nursing staff on or before the expiration date. The policy also required all foods stored in refrigerators or freezers to be covered, labeled, and dated. The failure to follow these policies was observed for a resident with dementia, muscle wasting, and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, who required supervision with eating and maximal assistance with dressing and transfers.