Inadequate Handwashing Facilities in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure kitchen staff had access to adequate, functioning handwashing facilities in the kitchen. Upon entering the kitchen at 8:00 A.M., a surveyor observed a dietary staff member cooking scrambled eggs at the stove. When the surveyor attempted to use the handwashing sink at the front of the kitchen, the water did not flow. The dietary staff member confirmed the sink was not working and directed the surveyor to use the handwashing sink at the back of the kitchen, stating this was where he normally washed his hands. At the back handwashing sink, the surveyor found there was no soap available, which the dietary staff member confirmed, suggesting the surveyor obtain soap from the non-functioning front sink. The dietary staff member then turned on water from a pot-filling spigot that had been pulled over the sink and suggested it could be used for handwashing. There were no paper towels at the front handwashing sink, and the dietary staff member retrieved a roll of paper towels from the food preparation area and handed it to the surveyor. Later, the dietary manager stated he was not aware that the front handwashing sink was not working and verified that hand soap should be available at all kitchen handwashing sinks. The facility census was 78 residents, with 76 receiving food from the kitchen, and the facility’s handwashing policy required that sinks, soap, and towels be readily accessible and convenient for staff use.
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