198204758-3-27-2025-11-AS-UCOL-DFFS7S-20250405133801

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 198204758
Report Date: 03/27/2025
Date Signed: 03/27/2025 10:17:12 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
03/07/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Regina Cloyd

PUBLIC

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 11-AS-20250307153652

FACILITY NAME:	BROOKDALE OCEAN HOUSE		FACILITY NUMBER:	198204758
ADMINISTRATOR:	HELEN LEE		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	2107 OCEAN AVE		TELEPHONE:	(310) 399-3227
CITY:	SANTA MONICA	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	90405
CAPACITY:	150	CENSUS: 99	DATE:	03/27/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	09:37 AM
MET WITH:	Executive Director Helen Lee		TIME COMPLETED:	10:30 AM

ALLEGATION(S):

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Facility staff do not prepare meals in a sanitary manner.
Facility staff do not follow proper food and general sanitation practices.
Facility staff do not store food properly.
Facility staff do not provide adequate food service.
Facility equipment is in disrepair.

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

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The investigation consisted of the following:

On 03/14/2025, Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Regina Cloyd and Jose Anguiano conducted a complaint investigation at the above facility to address the following allegations. LPAs met with Business Office Manager Esmeralda Ornelas and Sales Manager Pro Jenn O'Brien Chavez and explained the purpose of the visit. Executive Director Helen Lee joined us later. LPAs conducted resident and staff interviews, toured the kitchen and dining area, and collected facility and staff records. On 03/27/2025, LPA Cloyd conducted a subsequent complaint to deliver findings. LPA met with Business Office Manager Esmeralda Ornelas and Executive Director Helen Lee.
Allegation:
Regarding the allegation "Facility staff do not prepare meals in a sanitary manner,” it is being alleged that kitchen staff often do not wash or sanitize their hands before cooking and frequently do not wear gloves while handling raw food and serving the residents. Continue to LIC9099-C.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ulysses Coronel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Regina Cloyd
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/27/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/27/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 1 of 4

Control Number 11-AS-20250307153652

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: BROOKDALE OCEAN HOUSE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198204758
	VISIT DATE: 03/27/2025

NARRATIVE

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Record review revealed 15 out of 15 staff have their food handler certifications. On 03/21/25, a third-party vendor conducted an inspection, and the record revealed that employee training was not needed. Six out of six staff (S2 – S7) interviews indicated they use gloves while handling raw foods. Interview with S3 indicated that staff wash their hands at all times and whenever they switch jobs they immediately wash their hands to prevent contamination. During the kitchen tour, LPA Cloyd observed staff wearing gloves while preparing pizza and sandwiches. LPA observe a Sanitation & Food Safety sign that discusses food handling. During the dining room tour, LPA did not observe staff wearing gloves while serving residents.

Regarding the allegation “Facility staff do not prepare meals in a sanitary manner," based on record reviews, interviews, and observations, the Department found no evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. 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, as a result, the allegation is Unsubstantiated.

No deficiency was cited for this allegation.

Allegation:

Regarding the allegation "Facility staff do not follow proper food and general sanitation practices,” it is being alleged food is improperly stored; for example, staff often place uncovered raw food next to uncovered cooked food in the refrigerator. It is also alleged that kitchen staff store unlabeled items, such as condiments, making it unclear whether these items are expired or not. It is alleged the kitchen is filthy, the vent over the stove is grimy and covered in layers of black soot and the mop used to clean the kitchen and dining area is dirty and has not been cleaned for months.

Six out of six (S2-S7) staff interviews indicated food is properly stored and items are labeled with expiration dates. Interview with S2 indicated that uncooked food will always be on the bottom shelf and cooked food would be above it; never next to each other. During kitchen tour, LPA Cloyd did not observe uncovered raw food next to uncovered cook food in the refrigerators. LPA observed labeled condiments with prepared and expired dates. Though the expired dates were in the time slot. LPA observed refrigerator posters for proper food storage order: ready-to-eat foods, raw seafood, raw whole meats, raw ground meats, and raw poultry (should be stored from top to bottom). LPA observed quick reference guides for how long dry goods and frozen foods can be stored.
Continue to LIC9099-C.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ulysses Coronel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Regina Cloyd
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/27/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/27/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 11-AS-20250307153652

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: BROOKDALE OCEAN HOUSE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198204758
	VISIT DATE: 03/27/2025

NARRATIVE

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LPA observed a clean kitchen, clean vents over the stove, and new mop heads. Interview with S3 indicated that the vents are cleaned everyday and it is the responsibility of the dinner cook. S3 indicated that mop heads are changed every week and are cleaned every night outside with hot water and bleach. On 03/21/25, a third-party vendor conducted an inspection, and the record revealed that the mop sink equipment is in good condition. Record review of the kitchen cleaning schedule (02/24/25 – 03/01/25) revealed the vent hood filters and hood ledge were cleaned everyday by staff.

Regarding the allegation “Facility staff do not follow proper food and general sanitation practices," based on interviews, observations, and record review, the Department found no evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. 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, as a result, the allegation is Unsubstantiated.

No deficiency was cited for this allegation.

Allegation:

Regarding the allegation "Facility staff do not store food properly,” it is being alleged that food is sometimes placed on the floor due to a lack of space in the kitchen. Recently, there was an instance where soup was left uncovered on the kitchen floor. Six out of six staff (S2 – S7) interviews indicated that there is adequate kitchen space to store food. During the kitchen tour, LPA Cloyd did not observe any food stored on the floor and the kitchen has adequate space.

Regarding the allegation “Facility staff do not store food properly,” based on interviews and observations, the Department found no evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. 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, as a result, the allegation is Unsubstantiated.

No deficiency was cited for this allegation.

Allegation:

Regarding the allegation "Facility staff do not provide adequate food service,” it is being alleged residents are provided with chipped and broken plates and the filters for the ice machine and water stations have not been changed. Six out of six staff (S2 – S7) interviews indicated damaged plates are removed and placed into a bin for disposals. Interview with S3 indicated that damaged plates are placed in a specific bucket and dumped every week. Continue to LIC9099-C.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ulysses Coronel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Regina Cloyd
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/27/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/27/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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Control Number 11-AS-20250307153652

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
EL SEGUNDO ASC, 400 CONTINENTAL BLVD, STE 340
EL SEGUNDO, CA 90245

FACILITY NAME: BROOKDALE OCEAN HOUSE	FACILITY NUMBER: 198204758
	VISIT DATE: 03/27/2025

NARRATIVE

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Eight out of eight resident interviews indicated they have not received food on chipped plates and adequate food services is provided. During the kitchen tour, LPA Cloyd observed about 3 out of 100 plates with smooth chips about a ½” in size and posed no threat to residents. On 03/21/25, a third-party vendor conducted an inspection, and the record revealed that the kitchen filtration system is in good condition.

Regarding the allegation “Facility staff do not provide adequate food service,” based on record review, interviews, and observations, the Department found no evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. 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, as a result, the allegation is Unsubstantiated.

No deficiency was cited for this allegation.

Allegation:

Regarding the allegation "Facility equipment is in disrepair,” it is being alleged that there are broken floor tiles in the kitchen and other areas, the dishwasher is malfunctioning, and a refrigerator next to the soda machine leaks water onto the floor. Five out of six staff interviews indicated that there are no broken tiles, no leaky refrigerator, and no malfunctioning dishwasher. Interview with S2 indicated there was a condensation backup but it was cleared about two months ago. During the kitchen tour, LPA Cloyd observed one imperfect kitchen tile that was lower than the surrounding tiles. LPA observed about five imperfect tiles with thin cracks but there were no loose pieces. LPA observed a functioning dishwasher. LPA did not observe a leaky refrigerator near the soda machine. On 03/21/25, a third-party vendor conducted an inspection, and the record revealed that the floors and dishwasher machine are in good condition.

Regarding the allegation “Facility equipment is in disrepair,” based on record reviews, interviews, and observations, the Department found no evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. 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, as a result, the allegation is Unsubstantiated.

No deficiency was cited for this allegation.

An exit interview was conducted and a copy of this report was provided to the Executive Director Helen Lee.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Ulysses Coronel
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Regina Cloyd
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 03/27/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 03/27/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

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