Failure to Ensure Dietary Staff Wore Required Hair and Beard Nets During Food Preparation
Penalty
Summary
Dietary staff in the facility failed to consistently wear appropriate hair and beard nets while preparing or handling food in the kitchen. During observations, one cook was seen with a hair net that did not fully cover the back and sides of her head, and another staff member with a beard was not wearing a beard net in the food preparation area. The Dietary Supervisor confirmed these lapses and stated that the requirement is for all hair, including beards, to be covered while in the kitchen to prevent hair from contaminating food. Additionally, it was noted that beard nets had not been available for three days prior to the observation, resulting in multiple dietary staff with beards not wearing the required protective equipment during food preparation for a significant portion of the resident population. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the facility's infection control practices require dietary staff to wear hair and beard nets in the kitchen to prevent hair shedding and potential food-borne illness. Review of the facility's policy indicated that personal cleanliness and effective hair restraints are mandatory in all kitchen and food storage areas. At the time of the deficiency, 104 residents were in the facility, with 73 receiving meals prepared in the kitchen where these lapses occurred.