During a recent Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) Federal Look Behind survey, CMS cited a couple of items differently than previous surveyors.

The citations focused on how the dietary department in a nursing home cleaned and sanitized a facility juice dispenser machine as well as a microwave in a dining room area.

The Dietary Manager was interviewed regarding the cleaning and sanitizing procedures for the facility juice machine and the dining room microwave.  She said that the juice machine was "wiped down" daily and the drip tray was washed daily, but the juice machine nozzles were only rinsed until the lines "ran clear" once per week.

Review of the juice machine manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning revealed:  "Recommended Daily Cleaning and Maintenance Tips.  1. Rinse the dispense lines by placing the DISPENSE/RINSE knob in the RINSE position, closing the door, and activating a dispense in each station.  This initiates timed rinse cycles.  2. Remove the dispensing nozzles and spiral mixers at each station.  Turn nozzles approximately 90 (sic) and pull down to remove.  3. Wash components with mild solution of dish detergent using a bristle brush when needed.  Rinse thoroughly and allow to dry before reassembling.  4. Empty the drip tray.  Wash the drip tray and cover in a solution of dish detergent.  Rinse and allow to dry before reassembling.  5. Wipe the internal and external cabinet surfaces with a clean, damp cloth."  The facility was not following these recommendations, which supported the deficiency.

During this same interview, the Dietary Manager said the microwave in the dining room was the responsibility of the dietary department to clean.  She said she did not think it was cleaned daily.  The inside of the microwave was observed to have dried food splattered on all surfaces.  Review of the undated "DAILY CLEANING SCHEDULE" revealed "Dining room Microwave."

This is just a friendly reminder to review how your facility handles the cleaning and sanitizing of juice dispensers and microwaves!

Doug Beardsley
952.851.2489
dbeardsl@careproviders.org

Resources