Failure to Store Resident Food in a Sanitary and Labeled Manner
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food in a sanitary manner on both Health Care 1 and Health Care 2 nursing units. According to facility policy, nursing staff are required to label and date resident food items that require refrigeration. However, observations revealed multiple instances of noncompliance. In Health Care 1, the resident pantry refrigerator contained an opened container of ice cream, two cans of soda, an opened bottle of soda, two opened jars of salsa, and a piece of candy, none of which were labeled with a resident name or date. Additionally, the refrigerator shelves had visible food debris, a strand of hair, and a piece of plastic tape with accumulated dust. In Health Care 2, the refrigerator contained a container of chopped fresh fruit, a bag of cherries, an uncovered dish of wilted sliced tomatoes, and a container of oat milk, all undated. Opened bottles of apple cider vinegar, salad dressing, and oat milk were also present without dates or resident names. The refrigerator shelves and bottom area were found to have sticky food debris and a hair strand. The freezer contained items such as a spicy breaded chicken sandwich and ice cream products, none labeled with a resident name. During an interview, the Administrator confirmed that the refrigerators are designated for resident food only and that items are to be labeled with the resident name and dated by staff, as per facility policy. The observations and staff interview demonstrate that the facility did not adhere to its own policies regarding the labeling, dating, and sanitary storage of resident food items, resulting in a deficiency under the cited regulations.