Failure to Maintain Proper Sanitizing Solution Concentration and Safe Handling of Outside Food
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the required concentration of quaternary ammonium sanitizing solution used for cleaning kitchen surfaces. During an observation, a staff member tested the sanitizing solution and found it to be below 100 ppm, which is less than the required 200 ppm as per facility policy. The staff member attempted to replace the solution, but the new batch also tested below 100 ppm. The kitchen supervisor confirmed the low concentration and acknowledged that the solution would not be effective for disinfecting food preparation surfaces. The facility's policy requires the solution to be tested and recorded at least twice daily, and to be replaced if the concentration falls below 200 ppm. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that food items brought from outside for a resident were properly refrigerated or discarded within the required timeframe. A resident with hypertension and type 2 diabetes was observed with leftover food from the previous day on their overbed table. The resident confirmed that the food had been brought by a family member the day before and had not been refrigerated. The Director of Nursing stated that food from outside must be consumed immediately or refrigerated, and that food left at the bedside from the previous day is not safe for consumption. Review of facility policies confirmed that food items brought in for residents are not to be reheated or stored, and must be consumed or discarded promptly. The failure to follow these procedures was observed both in the kitchen's sanitizing practices and in the handling of outside food for a resident, as documented through staff interviews, direct observation, and record review.