Failure to Maintain Kitchen Sanitation Standards
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store, prepare, distribute, and serve food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by observations of a dirty kitchen. During an inspection, surveyors observed dirt, grease build-up, and debris under the juice table, pantry floor, steam table, and cooking table. Multiple staff interviews, including with the Food Service Supervisor (FSS), two dieticians, and the Director of Nursing (DON), revealed that none could provide an explanation for the lack of cleanliness and sanitation in the kitchen. The FSS stated he had attempted to clean the kitchen the previous night without assistance, while both dieticians acknowledged the need for cleanliness and sanitation but could not explain the deficiency. Record review showed that the facility's policy required regular sanitation inspections to ensure food service areas were clean, sanitary, and compliant with regulations. Despite this policy, the kitchen was found to be in an unsanitary condition during the survey, and staff were unable to account for the failure to maintain proper standards of cleanliness and sanitation in the food service area.