Deficient Food Storage and Equipment Sanitation Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food and utilize equipment in accordance with professional standards for food service safety in the main kitchen and all three pantry areas. Observations revealed multiple instances of food items, such as pasta, steak fries, hot dogs, sausages, and sausage patties, that were open and not labeled or dated as required by facility policy. Freezer units were found to be soiled with food debris, and staff interviews indicated a lack of awareness regarding a formal cleaning schedule for kitchen equipment. Additionally, food from outside sources was not consistently labeled with resident names or dates, and some perishable items were found past their expiration dates or in poor condition, such as a bag of food that appeared rotten and a container of wilted salad with a foul odor. Temperature logs for refrigerators and freezers in the pantry areas showed missing entries on several dates, and in one instance, temperatures were pre-filled for a future date. Other deficiencies included an ice cream container without a lid, frozen beverages and meals from outside sources not properly labeled, and open containers of food not properly sealed. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the expectation that expired items are discarded, food items are labeled and dated per policy, and equipment is maintained according to professional standards, but these expectations were not met as evidenced by the survey findings.