Unsanitary Food Storage and Preparation Conditions Identified
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was stored, prepared, and served under sanitary conditions, as evidenced by multiple observations and interviews. Surveyors observed a pervasive problem with small, flying insects throughout the kitchen, including above the handwash sink, around the dishwasher, near a hanging dish cabinet, and near the oven. There were also multiple areas of chipped or bubbled paint and damaged drywall in food preparation areas, a moderate collection of food debris on storage racks and walls, and standing water near the dishwasher. Additionally, several surfaces, such as oven doors, range tops, pipes, kitchen floors, range hood fire suppression nozzles, and sprinkler pipes, were found to have moderate to heavy black grime. These findings were confirmed by the Dietary Supervisor during the inspection. Further inspection of the second floor kitchenette revealed a rodent bait box with multiple rodent droppings on the floor and on the microwave stand behind the microwave. The Assistant Director of Nursing verified these findings. Review of pest control invoices indicated ongoing issues with kitchen insects and rodents, with extra service provided for rodents. Facility policy required all food service areas to be kept clean and protected from pests, with weekly inspections to ensure compliance, but these standards were not met. The deficiency had the potential to affect 108 residents receiving meals from the kitchen, with three residents identified as receiving nothing by mouth (NPO).