Uncovered and Poorly Temperature-Controlled Meals During Transport and Service
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its own policy requiring all food transported from the kitchen to other parts of the building to be covered and maintained at proper temperatures. The facility’s Transportation of Food policy, revised 11/5/19, states that all food must be covered during transportation and that food must maintain proper temperatures while being transported. Resident Council Meeting Minutes from two separate meetings document multiple complaints about meal execution, including burnt or overcooked items, cold food, undercooked or soggy eggs/omelets, and cold or late meals. On the observed lunch meal service, a cart with already-plated meals was taken from the kitchen to the dining room without any covers or warming plates to protect the main meal. The plates were set on the table uncovered before the residents were present. One resident arrived at the table and found his fish only slightly warm, stating that this happens all the time and that there was no one in the dining room to reheat the meal. Two other residents’ plates remained uncovered on the table for an extended period until a staff member removed them, with the staff member acknowledging that plates are usually covered but not knowing why they were not covered that day. The Dietary Manager confirmed that all transported food is supposed to be covered, that covers were available next to the service line, that no warming plates are used, and that there have been complaints about cold food.
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