Failure to Maintain Kitchen Dishwasher and Essential Equipment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain essential mechanical and electrical equipment in safe operating condition, specifically the kitchen dishwasher. According to interviews and observations, the dishwasher had been out of service for several weeks, with staff reporting it initially failed, was temporarily repaired by replacing the booster heater, and then failed again with water spraying, smoking, sparking, and loud noises. Staff resorted to washing all dishes in a three-compartment sink, and residents complained about the use of Styrofoam dishes and flimsy plastic silverware, which made eating difficult. The kitchen staff did not consistently cut meat into bite-sized pieces to accommodate the inadequate utensils. Maintenance attempts to repair the dishwasher were unsuccessful, and the facility was in the process of obtaining quotes for replacement, but there was no clear timeline for repair due to administrative delays. Record review and staff interviews revealed deficiencies in the facility's maintenance request system, as there was no way to verify when requests were submitted or addressed, and staff did not receive acknowledgment or completion notifications. The Administrator was unaware of any resident complaints and stated that the dishwasher's repair depended on decisions from the hospital board, which met monthly. Additionally, the Director of Nursing confirmed there was no policy regarding essential equipment. These actions and inactions resulted in the prolonged use of inadequate dishwashing methods and substandard dining materials for residents.