Failure to Maintain and Document Safe Refrigerator Temperatures for Resident Food Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and enforce a policy regarding the use and storage of foods brought in by family and other visitors for residents. Specifically, the facility did not ensure that a resident's personal refrigerator maintained a temperature at or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit, as required by facility policy. Temperature logs showed that for several days, the refrigerator was above the recommended temperature, and for a subsequent period, temperatures were not documented at all. This lapse was identified through observation, interview, and record review. The resident involved was an older adult with a history of constipation, protein-calorie malnutrition, and nausea, and had moderate cognitive impairment as indicated by a BIMS score of 12 out of 15. Despite the resident reporting no illness from consuming food stored in her refrigerator, the facility's failure to monitor and document refrigerator temperatures as per policy constituted a deficiency in ensuring safe and sanitary food storage for residents.