Improper Labeling and Dating of Resident Food in Nourishment Refrigerators
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in food storage practices in two nourishment refrigerators on the 400 and 500 hallways. During observation of the 400 hallway nourishment refrigerator, they found multiple food items without resident names or dates, including a gallon-size clear plastic bag containing a sandwich, a 4-ounce juice carton, and a snack bag; a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in a plastic bag; food wrapped in aluminum foil; an opened 16-ounce soda bottle; and a takeout 20-ounce coffee cup. They also observed a takeout box with pinto beans and seasoned rice labeled with a date range written as the 13th–15th, rather than a clear single date. In the 500 hallway nourishment refrigerator, surveyors observed a small plastic container with homemade food with no label for resident name or date, a gallon-size plastic container with homemade food labeled only with a date range of 2/5–2/9 and no resident name, and a grocery bag containing a box of fried chicken with no name or date. In interviews, the Dietary Manager stated that nursing staff were responsible for labeling and dating food brought in by visitors for residents before placing it in the nourishment refrigerators, that food could be stored for seven days before being discarded, and that he or dietary staff checked the nourishment refrigerators daily when restocking to discard expired food. The DON similarly stated that all nursing staff, including nurses and nurse aides, were responsible for labeling and dating any food brought in by family for residents, that food should be discarded within seven days, and that no personal staff food should be stored in the nourishment refrigerators. The DON also stated that dietary staff were responsible for ensuring all food was discarded after seven days. The Administrator confirmed that residents’ food should be labeled and dated before being placed in the nourishment refrigerators and that staff should follow policy for residents’ food brought in by families, with dietary staff ensuring expired food was discarded.
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