complaint·October 23, 2024

Regarding: "Staff does not ensure kitchen equipment is in good repair." Based on interviews and a review of records, it was substantiated that the refrigerator at the facility was not functioning properly.  This complaint was opened on 07/31/24 and the refrigerator was not replaced until 61 days later and cost $4,380.00. In addition to the malfunctioning refrigerator, a deli slicer was also sent out for repair.  S1 stated that it would "jam up." This LPA learned by reviewing the repair invoice that the slicer had a bad knob and was missing feet (which aided in maintaining its stability during use.) The total repair cost $945.00.  The standard for the preponderance of evidence has been met and the allegation, "Staff does not ensure kitchen equipment is in good repair," has been SUBSTANTIATED. According to the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, this deficiency has been cited on the LIC 9099D page. A copy of this report was provided, along with APPEAL RIGHTS and an exit interview was conducted with the Designated Facility Administrator. An unsubstantiated finding means although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Regarding: "Staff does not ensure residents are spoken to in an appropriate manner." This LPA conducted interviews and 4 out of 4 of those interviewed stated that they had not seen or heard anything offensive. S6 stated that there was a server who said they liked to "treat the residents like family" and joke around with them. S6 went on to say that not everyone shares the same sense of humor and diners at other tables might not have appreciated how that server spoke to diners. S4, S6 and S7 all separately stated that the server wasn't offensive, just not very professional. The server was coached and counseled on best practices when communicating with residents in the dining room. The occurrence did not rise to the level of a Title 22 violation. The standard for the preponderance of evidence was not met, and the Department found the allegation was UNSUBSTANTIATED. An unsubstantiated finding means although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Regarding: "Staff does not ensure personal hygiene and food services sanitation practices are followed." LPA Arvin Villanueva inspected the kitchen on 07/31/24 and this LPA made observations on 10/01/24, 10/02/24, 10/16/24 and 10/23/24. On each occasion, this LPA found staff to be complying with personal hygiene and proper food sanitation practices. All required staff had their hair secured and was wearing gloves when handling food. LPA reviewed documentation of Safe-Serve sanitation training for kitchen staff. LPA also conducted interviews and 6 out of 6 of those interviewed stated that sanitation practices were followed. The standard for the preponderance of evidence was not met, and the Department found the allegation was UNSUBSTANTIATED. An unsubstantiated finding means although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. Regarding: Staff do not ensure infection control guidelines are being followed. During the course of this investigation, this LPA reviewed the following documents: the facility's infection control plan, dated 06/20/22, the email correspondence and direction provided by Sacramento County Public Health, the email sent out to all of the residents' responsible parties, and the newsletter that went out to the residents in care. This LPA also conducted interviews and 5 out of 6 staff interviewed stated that the infection control plan was followed. During the course of these interviews, this LPA learned that separate dining tables were set up at the end of the hallway on the second and third floors so that Covid positive residents could leave their rooms and have a different environment during their meals. This LPA also learned that most of the time, the Covid positive residents ate their meals in their rooms. The Designated Facility Administrator, Marianne Richardson, provided this LPA with a record of the meal delivery slips for all of the residents during this time period. Public Health provided the following recommendations in an email to Marianne Richardson dated 5/28/24: "1.Stay home if you have Covid 19 symptoms, until you have not had a fever for 24 hours without using fever reducing medications AND other Covid 19 symptoms are mild and improving. If you do not have symptoms, you should follow the recommendations below to reduce exposure to others. 2. Mask when you are around other people for 10 days after you become sick or test positive (if no symptoms). You may remove your mask sooner if you have 2 sequential negative tests at least 1 day apart. Day 0 is symptom onset date or positive test date. 3. Avoid contact with people at higher-risk for severe COVID-19 for 10 days. Higher risk individuals include the elderly, those who live in congregate care facilities, those who have immunocompromising conditions, and that put them at higher risk for serious illness. 4. Seek treatment if you have symptoms, particularly if you are at higher risk for severe Covid 19." There were additional details provided in these emails, and this LPA reviewed them in their entirety. Based on a record review and the information obtained from interviews, the standard for the preponderance of evidence was not met and the Department found this allegation to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. An unsubstantiated finding means although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED. According to The California Code of Regulations, Title 22, no deficiencies were observed or cited during this visit. A copy of this report was provided along with APPEAL RIGHTS. Exit interview.