Independent Safe Food Handling Rates Northern Health

By 250 News

When it comes to the safe handling of food, Northern Health has scored  an average score of 89.1% on an independent audit. 

That may sound like a high mark, but it is the lowest among the six health authorities audited this past year.  Conducted by Steritech,  the audit  is the first of its kind in the  country.

The audit measured  levels of food safety and sanitation proactices being carried out at the facilities operated by  Northern Health.  CEO Malcolm Maxwell says it is interesting to note that larger facilities always seem to score higher than small operations.  "When you are making meals for eight people as opposed to 200,  chances are you have a smaller kitchen that doesn't have as much stainless steel equipment" says Maxwell.  He also noted there was a clear difference in marks for older facilities which may be clean and safe, but don't have the same sterile  appearance as  newer facilities.

Here's how some of the Northern Health facilities scored:

• Prince George Regional Hospital     92.5%   Excellent
• Prince Rupert Regional Hospital             87.2%    Meets Requirements
• Queen Charlotte Island Hospital            78.2%    Needs improvement
• Bulkley Valley District Hospital               91.%     Excellent
• Chetwynd & District Hospital                  83.%     Meets Requirements
• Dawson Creek & District Hospital            91.8%   Excellent
• Ft. Nelson Hospital                                 94.8%   Excellent
• Ft. St. John Hospital                               96.%     Excellent
• GR Baker Hospital                                 92.5%   Excellent
• Kitimat Hospital                                     92.7%   Excellent
• Lakes & District Hospital                        83.8%   Meets Requirements
• Mackenzie & District Hospital                  70.4%   Needs Improvement
• Masset Hospital                                     82.1%   Meets Requirements
• McBride and District Hospital                  84.3%   Meets Requirements
• Mills Memorial Hospital                           87.2%   Meets Requirements
• St. John Hospital                                    90.9%   Excellent
• Stewart General Hospital                        83.9%   Meets Requirements
• Stuart Lake Hospital                               85.0%   Meets Requirements

The Safe Food audit for Northern Health  ranked Rainbow Care  the highest among all facilities in Northern Health.  It scored 98.3%

Mackenzie and District Hospital had the lowest  percentage at  70.4%

The most common issues citied for Northern Health had to do with:   the availability and use of sanitizer test kits, hand washing facilities in food handling areas (accessible, fully stocked and properly signed) Clean utensils, equipment and food contact packaging properly stored;  sanitizer solutions at proper concentration and temperature; dishwashing machine final rinse at proper temeperatures; food and contact packaging stored at least 6 inches off the floor.

Maxwell says the audit  "doesn't judge if someone really, really loved the cream of wheat, but it does address issues of food safety."

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