Failure to Change Gloves After Contamination During Food Preparation
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a dietary staff member failed to follow proper hand hygiene and glove use during food preparation. While pureeing biscuits, the staff member wiped the left side of her nose with her gloved hand and did not change her gloves or wash her hands before continuing to handle the food and utensils. This action was observed by surveyors, and the staff member later confirmed in an interview that she did not change her gloves or wash her hands after touching her nose, acknowledging that her gloves were contaminated and that she may have touched the biscuits with her contaminated hand. Interviews with the Administrator and Dietary Manager revealed that both expected dietary staff to change gloves and wash hands after touching anything considered contaminated, such as their nose. Both acknowledged that failure to do so could result in contaminated food being served to residents. The facility's policy on hand hygiene, dated 2020, was reviewed and indicated that hand hygiene is considered the primary means to prevent the spread of infections.