F0908

E

Improper Frost Build-Up Management in Kitchenette Freezers

Athens, Georgia Survey Completed on 02-22-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Dietary staff failed to maintain kitchenette freezers free of frost build-up as required by the facility’s policy titled “Cleaning Procedures: Major Equipment,” which states that walk-in freezers must be kept free of frost and ice build-up on a daily basis. During observation of the kitchenette serving the 500, 700, and 800 halls, surveyors noted a small countertop freezer with three shelves in which the middle shelf was fully covered with approximately one inch of frost, and ice cream cups were stored within the frost. In a separate kitchenette serving the 100, 200, 300, and 400 halls, another small countertop freezer with three shelves was observed, with the middle shelf fully covered with a thick layer of frost and ice cream cups stored on the frost. In interviews conducted at the time of each observation, the Dietary Manager confirmed the presence of frost build-up and the storage of ice cream cups within or on the frost in both freezers, and stated that these freezers were cleaned and defrosted only when visible frost was noticed, with no set schedule for defrosting.

No specific residents or their medical conditions were mentioned in the report, and the deficiency centers on the condition and maintenance of the dietary equipment rather than on individual resident care events.