Failure to Monitor and Maintain Resident Refrigerator Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to monitor and maintain the temperature of the resident refrigerator containing personal food items, as required by its policy and procedure. Review of the Resident Refrigerator Temperature Log showed that temperature checks were not documented on multiple days throughout the month. During an observation, the refrigerator thermometer was found to read 60 degrees Fahrenheit, significantly above the policy requirement of 41 degrees Fahrenheit or below. The refrigerator contained various food items, including a carton of eggs without resident identification, cake, and other bagged or sealed foods. Interviews with staff revealed that the charge nurse responsible for checking the refrigerator had forgotten to do so and was unsure of the appropriate temperature standard. The DON confirmed the elevated temperature and that the food items were present in the refrigerator at the time of the check. The facility's policy specified that refrigerator temperatures should be checked daily when first opening and closing in the evening, and that refrigerators should be maintained in good working condition.