Failure to Enforce Safe Storage and Handling of Resident Food Brought by Visitors
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and enforce a policy regarding the use and storage of foods brought in by family and visitors for residents, resulting in improper storage and handling of perishable items. During an observation, a personal refrigerator in a resident's room was found to contain two undated containers of ice cream that had liquefied and leaked, as well as a cup of red liquid dated several weeks prior. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent practices regarding the monitoring and documentation of refrigerator temperatures and the removal of expired or spoiled food items. Some staff were unaware of the correct procedures for temperature logging or the safe temperature range for food storage, and there was confusion about whether all temperatures should be recorded or only those above a certain threshold. The resident involved had a history of dementia, polyneuropathy, immunodeficiency, and type 2 diabetes, and required assistance with activities of daily living, including supervision with eating. The resident's care plan indicated a need for support with these tasks, and the resident's cognitive impairment may have limited her ability to manage food safety independently. Despite daily checks being part of the facility's protocol, expired and improperly stored food was still present in the resident's refrigerator, and staff responsible for these checks did not consistently identify or remove the items. Review of facility policy confirmed that perishable foods brought by family or visitors should be labeled with the resident's name, item, and use-by date, and stored in resealable containers with tightly fitting lids. However, the observed practice did not align with this policy, as undated and leaking food items were found, and staff interviews indicated gaps in training and understanding of the procedures. The lack of consistent implementation of the policy and inadequate staff knowledge contributed to the deficiency.