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Based on observation, policy review and interview, it was determined the Facility failed to ensure food items in the walk in freezer were dated and failed to ensure expired milk was not available for patient use. The failed practice did not ensure only in date food items were available for patient use; and failure to date food items did not allow the Facility knowledge as to how foods should be organized so as to ensure correct first-in first-out rotation. The failed practice created the potential to affect any patient in the Facility receiving those food items. Findings follow.

A. Review of policy titled "Storage" stated, "Dietary personnel rotate stock in the food storage room, walk-in refrigerator and walk-in freezer so that the newest items are used last. The delivering agent or nutrition personnel rotate daily products and breads. Items removed from boxes are labeled with item name, date opened and person labeling the item. Some items are pre-labeled which are dated and rotated."
B. A tour was conducted of the kitchen on 03/25/15 from 1245-1315. The following items were observed in the walk-in freezer without a date:
1) Lemon meringue pies - 5 of 5 pies
2) Apple cobbler - 4 of 4 pans
3) Broccoli - 9 of 9 bags
4) Asian Blend Vegetables - 4 of 4 bags
5) Turnip greens - 10 of 10 bags
6) Zucchini - 8 of 8 bags
7) Cauliflower - 6 of 6 bags
C. In an interview at the time of the tour, the Certified Dietary Manager confirmed the food items were not dated.
D. A tour was conducted of the nursing station nourishment areas on 03/25/15 from 1315-1330. In the East Unit refrigerator, three of three skim milks were observed to have expired on 03/23/15.
E. In an interview at the time of the tour, the Director of Nursing confirmed the milk was expired.