Failure to Monitor and Maintain Safe Storage of Perishable Foods in Resident Refrigerators
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure safe and sanitary storage of residents' food items in personal refrigerators for all seven resident rooms reviewed. Observations revealed that personal refrigerators in these rooms contained perishable food items such as ice cream, jams, jellies, iced tea, guacamole, yogurt, fruit cups, fresh fruit, tarter sauce, supplement drinks, cheese, condiments, and beverages. Many of these items were undated or had illegible expiration dates, and some refrigerators had significant frost build-up. None of the refrigerators had thermometers or temperature logs, and there was no evidence of daily temperature monitoring. Interviews with the Administrator (ADM) and Housekeeping Supervisor (HKS) confirmed that housekeeping staff were responsible for cleaning residents' personal refrigerators only once a month and for discarding expired food at that time. However, there was no policy requiring temperature checks or logs for these refrigerators, and staff were not trained or expected to monitor refrigerator temperatures. The facility relied on residents or their families to maintain the refrigerators and discard expired food between monthly cleanings, with no formal system in place to ensure ongoing food safety. A review of the facility's policy on foods brought by family or visitors indicated that nursing staff were responsible for discarding perishable foods on or before the use-by date and for removing foods showing signs of spoilage. However, the policy did not address monitoring or maintaining safe temperatures in residents' personal refrigerators, nor did it specify procedures for regular checks or documentation. This lack of oversight and monitoring could result in perishable foods being stored at unsafe temperatures or beyond their expiration dates.