Failure to Document Daily Temperature Checks for Resident Refrigerator
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to consistently document daily temperature checks for a resident's personal refrigerator, as required by facility policy. During observations, the refrigerator was found to be clean, organized, and set to an appropriate temperature; however, the daily temperature log was missing entries for several dates in December. Interviews with the resident and staff confirmed that while the temperature was verbally checked and maintained within the expected range, documentation was not consistently completed. The resident reported a previous incident where the refrigerator was not plugged in, resulting in spoiled food, and expressed concern that staff do not always record the temperature as required. Staff interviews revealed that housekeeping is responsible for monitoring, cleaning, and documenting the temperature of personal refrigerators daily, with an expected range of 35-40 degrees Fahrenheit. Both nursing and housekeeping staff acknowledged the importance of daily documentation to ensure food safety, as outlined in facility policies. Despite these expectations, the lack of consistent documentation on the temperature log constituted a failure to follow established procedures for monitoring food safety in resident refrigerators.