Failure to Properly Test Dishwasher Sanitizer Levels
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly test and monitor the dishwasher's sanitation process, as staff were not knowledgeable about the correct use of chlorine test strips required for a low-temperature dishwasher. The Dietary Manager was unsure of the dishwasher type and reported that staff only checked the temperature, not the chemical sanitizing levels, and could not locate the necessary test strips. Maintenance staff confirmed that while they checked the temperature daily, they did not test the chemical levels, as this was not their responsibility. When the Maintenance Supervisor eventually tested the dishwasher with a chlorine strip, the reading was 10 ppm, which was below the required 50-100 ppm as stated in the facility's manual. The DON indicated that kitchen staff were expected to notify maintenance of any issues, but they were unaware of the problem until it was discovered during the survey. No specific residents or patient conditions were mentioned in relation to this deficiency.