Food Storage and Sanitation Deficiencies Identified
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed multiple failures in the facility's food storage and handling practices. During a kitchen tour, boxes of food were found stacked directly on the floor of the walk-in freezer, obstructing access to other food items. The Kitchen Manager acknowledged that boxes should be placed on crates and not directly on the freezer floor. Despite being informed of this issue, a follow-up observation the next day revealed that the problem persisted, with boxes still on the freezer floor. The Kitchen Manager confirmed that the freezer had been organized after the initial observation but reiterated that boxes should not be on the floor. Further deficiencies were identified in all four unit kitchenettes. Observations included microwaves with visible smears, cabinets with crumbs and open, undated food items, and refrigerators containing undated or expired food, moldy bread, and containers with unknown contents. Freezers also contained undated and unlabeled food items. Interviews with the Unit Manager and DON confirmed that facility policy requires all food to be labeled and dated, and that the observed conditions did not meet these standards. The Kitchen Manager also confirmed that all food in the kitchenettes should be labeled with the resident's name and relevant dates.