Does it all have to be covered? (Texas)

A facility in Texas was recently cited for not covering all food, beverage, and utensils while serving residents in their rooms. In this scenario, the trays were in an enclosed cart; however, the individual items on the trays were not protected. The entrée and beverage were not covered, and the silverware was not wrapped. This creates the potential for an airborne pathogen to infect a resident and cause them to become ill.

As a plan of correction, the facility is now covering all items on the trays to protect against airborne pathogens. Additional plate and cup covers had to be purchased to ensure that there were adequate supply. The dietitian and dining director implemented a quality assurance measure to continuously assess compliance and to prompt corrective actions.