Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions: Ice Machine Discoloration and Food Debris in Storage
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified in the facility's kitchen related to unsanitary conditions. During observations, surveyors noted pink and blue discoloration on the underside of the ice machine's back panel, which was confirmed by the registered dietician (RD), certified dietary manager (CDM), maintenance director (MD), and director of nursing (DON). The facility's cleaning logs indicated the ice machine had been deep cleaned and sanitized in the months prior, but the discoloration remained present. Manufacturer guidelines for the ice machine require regular cleaning and sanitizing, and all interviewed staff acknowledged the importance of maintaining a clean ice machine to prevent contamination. Additionally, the dry food storage room was found to have food crumbs and spoons under storage racks, as confirmed by the RD and CDM. The CDM reported that the floor was only swept once a week and there were no cleaning logs for the dry food storage room. The presence of food remnants was acknowledged by the cook and DON, both of whom stated that such conditions could attract pests and compromise sanitation. Facility policies and job descriptions reviewed by surveyors required that kitchen and storage areas be kept clean and sanitary, but these standards were not met at the time of the survey.