Failure to Perform Hand Hygiene During Kitchen Food Service Tasks
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves failure to follow hand hygiene requirements in the kitchen during food service operations. Surveyors observed a dietary aide (V14) working in the dishwashing and food preparation areas who handled a garbage can lid, then immediately proceeded to handle clean and sanitized food service equipment without performing hand hygiene. After placing the lid onto the garbage can, V14 did not wash or sanitize their hands before picking up a clean, sanitized food service pan, carrying it to the storage rack, and placing it with other clean pans. During this time, V14 repeatedly placed their hands into the front pocket of a hooded sweatshirt and then removed them to perform additional tasks, still without any handwashing. Surveyors further observed that V14 continued to perform multiple tasks without hand hygiene, including responding to another staff member at the kitchen entrance, opening the cooler door, retrieving an item from the cooler, and handing it to the staff member. V14 then again placed their hands back into the sweatshirt pocket, took three large plastic bags, opened them to prepare for covering tray carts during service, and again returned their hands to the sweatshirt pocket, all without washing hands. The Food Service Director (V13) stated that kitchen staff are expected to wash their hands after touching the garbage can or lid and when completing different tasks. The facility’s kitchen handwashing policy dated 9/21/23 requires employees to wash hands before starting any task, after touching hair, face, or body, after taking out the garbage, and anytime hands are soiled.
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