Failure to Label and Date Resident Food Items in Personal Refrigerators
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper labeling and dating of food items stored in personal refrigerators in residents' rooms, as required by facility policy. During observations, one resident's refrigerator contained an opened glass jar of Picante Sauce with a 'Best Use By' date but no indication of when it was opened. Another resident's refrigerator contained a Styrofoam cup with a white liquid, possibly milk, covered with plastic wrap, but lacking any label or date to identify its contents or when it was placed there. Both items were not labeled or dated as required for safe storage and handling. Record reviews revealed that one resident had severe cognitive impairment and the other had mild cognitive impairment, with both having significant medical conditions such as dementia, muscle wasting, chronic kidney disease, and diabetes. Interviews with the DON and Administrator confirmed that they could not determine how long the food items had been in the refrigerators and acknowledged that outdated food should be discarded. The facility's policy required that food brought by family or visitors be labeled and stored appropriately, and that nursing staff are responsible for discarding perishable foods by their use-by or expiration dates. However, these procedures were not followed for the residents in question.