Failure to Remove Used Dinner Trays Results in Unclean Dining Hall Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, and homelike environment in the dining hall by not removing ten dinner trays with food and trash from the previous evening before breakfast the next morning. During an observation, these trays were found on tables and a cart in the dining hall while approximately eight residents were present awaiting breakfast. A resident reported that trays from the previous night were sometimes left out and expressed concern about clutter and the potential for pests. Interviews with dietary staff and the interim dietary manager revealed that evening staff were responsible for returning trays to the kitchen, but sometimes caregivers brought trays back to the dining hall after kitchen staff had left. In such cases, morning kitchen staff were expected to clear the trays before breakfast service. The interim dietary manager and the administrator acknowledged that leaving trays out could result in not having enough trays for breakfast, risk of cross contamination, pest attraction, and the possibility of residents consuming spoiled or contaminated food. Review of the facility's policy confirmed residents' rights to a safe and appropriate living environment.