Cornell Health Services

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Cornell Health Services, in the surveyor’s own words.

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Jul 14, 2026

  Based on observation and interview, the facility did not store and follow proper sanitation and food handling practices to prevent foodborne illnesses for 41 residents who consume food out of 41 residents who reside at facility. The facility:-Did not ensure food in dry storage was properly stored in containers after opened and exposed to air and was not dated when opened.-Did not ensure all foods in resident refrigerator in common area was labeled and dated when opened for a possible 5 residents (R3, R17, R18, R19, R27).-Did not ensure juices and milk were dated when opened in resident dining room refrigerator.-Did not ensure food was a minimum of 6 inches off the floor in walk in freezer.-Did not ensure dietary staff properly contained hair within hair nets.-Did not ensure dietary staff… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812May 7, 2025

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility did not ensure that food was prepared, distributed, and served in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Kitchen staff had beard hair exposed and uncovered while preparing food. This had the potential to affect all 39 of 39 residents residing in the facility. Findings include: The facility policy, titled Personal Hygiene states, Hair must be kept clean and kept restrained with a hair net or cap covering all hair. Beards must be restrained using a beard net. On 05/05/25 at 8:20 AM, Surveyor conducted initial tour of kitchen and observed [NAME] C standing at breakfast steam table with beard net on that did not cover facial hair along both sides of face or mustache. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Sep 4, 2024

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility did not establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. This had the potential to affect 17 residents (R) on the 200 Hall. The facility did not ensure the standards of practice for applying and removing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to prevent the spread of infection while providing high contact care for COVID-19 positive R4. Housekeeper observed not sanitizing hands between resident rooms when delivering clean linens. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Jan 20, 2022

  Based on observation and interview, the facility did not maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and comfortable environment, and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable diseases and infections. The facility staff did not perform hand hygiene during personal cares for 1 Resident (R) 6 of 1 care observation. The facility staff did not clean or sanitize the mechanical lift between 3 Residents (R6, R15, and R20) of 3 observations, or use appropriate infection control practices for catheter care for R31. Facility staff provided personal cares for R6 and did not wash or sanitize hands after removing contaminated gloves. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF679Dec 7, 2021

  Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility did not provide an ongoing program to support resident's choice of activities, designed to meet the interests of and support the physical, mental and psychosocial well-being of each resident. This affects 10 of 29 residents (R). (R1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10) Residents were not offered or provided a variety of engaging activities based on their individual preferences since the activity director position was unfilled for the past month. Findings include: Example 1: On 12/07/21 at 9:50 AM, Surveyor observed R1 sitting in the recliner in the resident's room. There was a half-eaten breakfast tray on the over bed table in front of R1. The TV was on, but R1's eyes were closed and R1 appeared to be sleeping. […]