Uncovered Dessert Dishes During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to ensure all food items, specifically dessert dishes containing slices of cake with frosting, were covered during storage, preparation, distribution, and service in accordance with professional food service standards. During lunch service, test trays presented to investigators showed that while main dishes were covered with cloches, the dessert dishes were left uncovered. Additionally, on the South Hall, trays in an opened meal cart had covered main dishes and drinks, but the dessert dishes remained uncovered while the cart was open for approximately two minutes as a CNA distributed trays to residents' rooms. Interviews with dietary staff, CNAs, the Dietary Manager, the Administrator, and the DON confirmed that facility policy requires food to be covered to prevent cross contamination and exposure to airborne contaminants. However, the Dietary Manager stated that desserts were not covered because they were transferred directly from the kitchen to the cart, and staff were expected to keep the carts closed after removing each tray. The facility's policy on food preparation and service also specifies that covering foods is appropriate when meals are assembled in the kitchen and delivered to residents' rooms or dining areas.