Every finding on record at Rta Hospice, LLC

It is required that the inpatient hospice facility addresses real or potential threats to the health and safety of patients, hospice staff, visitors, others, and property. The hospice facility documents patient and staff incidents and accidents evaluates these, and takes action as appropriate. This standard was not met as evidenced by observation, interview, and document review. The Hospice did not ensure that the kitchen in the Hospice Inpatient Unit was absent of potential threats to the health and safety of patients, hospice staff, visitors, others, and property. During a tour of the kitchen in the Hospice Inpatient Unit, the oven was observed with an accumulation of built-up grease on the oven's bottom, sides, top, and door. During the interview on 6/22/2022, the Inpatient Unit Assistant/Food Handler who performs food preparation and kitchen cleaning stated, "I have been here full time the past five months, and the oven has not been cleaned during that time." During a phone interview on 6/22/2022, the Inpatient Facility Hospice Dietitian stated the built-up grease in the oven was a potential fire hazard, the frequency of cleaning the oven depends on the use of the oven, and the oven should be cleaned daily if used and soiled. Additionally, the Dietitian stated he would provide the Hospice with a cleaning schedule for the cleaning of the oven. Further, during an interview on 6/22/2022, the Director of Clinical Operation said the two Hospice Inpatient Unit Assistants/Food Handlers who work the day shift during the week to perform the food preparation and kitchen cleaning are new to the position in the past few months.

It is required that the hospice inpatient facility provides meals to each patient that are obtained, stored, prepared, distributed, and served under sanitary conditions. This standard was not met as evidenced by observation, interview, and review of documents. The Hospice did not ensure the Hospice Inpatient Unit staff who prepare food for the patients in the kitchen wear hair covering, as required by policy. During a tour of the kitchen in the Hospice Inpatient Unit, cloth hair coverings were observed hanging on the wall of the kitchen. During the interview on 6/22/2022, the Hospice Inpatient Unit Assistant/Food Handler stated that she does not wear hair coverings when in the kitchen preparing food and has been working as the Inpatient Unit Assistant for the past five months. During a phone interview on 6/22/2022, the Hospice Inpatient Unit Dietitian stated that hair coverings are required to be worn by food preparation staff. Additionally, the hospice did not ensure that the portable ice machine on the counter in the Hospice Inpatient Unit kitchen had been cleaned and sanitized, as required by policy. During the interview on 6/22/2022, the Hospice Inpatient Unit Assistant/Food Handler stated the portable ice machine had been used for ice that is given to the patients and that the ice machine had not been cleaned and/or sanitized since she started working at the inpatient unit five months ago. During the interview on 6/22/2022, the Director of Clinical Services stated the portable ice machine was new to the Hospice Inpatient Unit approximately five months ago. Additionally, during an interview on 6/22/2022, the Hospice Inpatient Unit Dietitian said the ice machine should be cleaned and sanitized weekly. Policy "Safe Food Handling and Preparation in the IPU," revised 3/27/2021, included, "Keep hair controlled by restraining and covering when preparing food...preventing food borne illnesses, ensure food surfaces and utensils are clean...and preparation areas and utensils: clean surfaces with a disinfection or sanitizing solution as needed."