F0812

F

Improper Hair Restraints and Inadequate Hand Hygiene in Dietary Services

Burwell, Nebraska Survey Completed on 02-26-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Surveyors identified deficiencies in dietary staff hygiene practices related to hair restraints and handwashing. Facility policy on Dietary Employee Personal Hygiene required all dietary staff to wear hair restraints, including hair nets, hats, and beard restraints, to prevent hair from contacting food. During multiple observations, one dietary aide was seen rinsing dishes and placing them in the automatic dish machine, and later putting away clean dish items in the main kitchen, while wearing a hair cap but no beard covering despite having a full beard. Another dietary aide was observed in the main kitchen and later serving drinks in the main dining area with a blue hair cap that covered only the top quarter of their head, leaving loose hair exposed while moving around areas where exposed food items were present. In an interview, the Dietary Manager confirmed that the beard covering and proper hair covering should have been used in these situations.

The facility’s Hand Hygiene policy, dated 12/15/2025, required staff to rub their hands together vigorously with soap and water for approximately 20 seconds. During a series of observations, the cook repeatedly performed hand hygiene using soap and water but rubbed their hands for significantly less than the required 20 seconds, with durations ranging from 4 to 10 seconds before rinsing. In a subsequent interview, the cook acknowledged not rubbing their hands with soap for the required 20 seconds, and the Dietary Manager confirmed that the cook did not follow the approved hand hygiene method. These observed practices occurred during meal preparation and food service activities and had the potential to affect all residents receiving food from the kitchen, with a facility census of 59.