MAYVILLE, WI — Federal health inspectors cited Avina of Mayville for seven deficiencies during a standard health inspection on December 4, 2025, including a widespread violation related to food temperature, quality, and palatability that poses potential risk to all residents in the facility.
Perhaps most concerning: the facility has not submitted a plan of correction for the cited deficiencies.
Widespread Food Temperature and Quality Failures
Inspectors found that Avina of Mayville failed to ensure food and drink served to residents was palatable, attractive, and maintained at safe and appetizing temperatures. The violation was cited under federal regulatory tag F0804, which falls within the Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies category.
The deficiency was classified at Scope/Severity Level F, indicating the problem was widespread throughout the facility rather than isolated to a single incident or unit. While inspectors did not document actual harm to residents at the time of the survey, they determined there was potential for more than minimal harm — a finding that places the violation above the lowest tier of federal enforcement categories.
This food service violation was one of seven total deficiencies identified during the December inspection, suggesting broader operational concerns at the facility.
Why Food Temperature Standards Matter in Nursing Homes
Food temperature control in long-term care facilities is not merely a matter of resident satisfaction — it is a fundamental safety requirement. Federal regulations mandate that hot foods must be maintained at 135°F or above and cold foods at 41°F or below during service to prevent bacterial growth that can lead to foodborne illness.
Nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable populations when it comes to foodborne pathogens. Age-related changes in immune function, chronic medical conditions, and medications that suppress immune response all contribute to elevated risk. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that adults aged 65 and older account for a disproportionate share of hospitalizations and deaths from foodborne illness.
When food is served at improper temperatures — in the danger zone between 41°F and 135°F — bacteria such as Salmonella, Listeria, and Clostridium perfringens can multiply rapidly. For a healthy adult, exposure might cause temporary discomfort. For a frail nursing home resident, the same exposure can result in severe dehydration, hospitalization, or in the most serious cases, death.
Beyond safety, food palatability directly affects nutritional intake. Residents who are served unappealing or improperly prepared meals are more likely to eat less, which can lead to unintended weight loss, malnutrition, and muscle wasting — conditions that accelerate physical decline and increase fall risk.
No Correction Plan on File
Under federal survey procedures, facilities cited for deficiencies are required to submit a plan of correction outlining specific steps they will take to address each finding and prevent recurrence. As of the most recent records available, Avina of Mayville's status remains listed as "Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction" for the F0804 citation.
The absence of a correction plan raises questions about the facility's responsiveness to regulatory findings. Facilities that fail to submit timely correction plans may face escalating enforcement actions from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, including civil monetary penalties, denial of payment for new admissions, or in extreme cases, termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Seven Deficiencies Signal Broader Concerns
While the food service violation drew the most significant scope classification, it is notable that inspectors identified seven separate deficiencies during a single survey visit. Multiple citations in one inspection can indicate systemic issues with facility management, staffing, training, or quality assurance protocols rather than isolated lapses.
Families of current and prospective residents can review the complete inspection findings, including all seven deficiency citations, through the facility's full inspection report. The report provides detailed observations, interviews, and record reviews conducted by the federal survey team.
Industry best practices call for nursing homes to maintain robust dietary programs that include regular temperature monitoring at multiple points in the food preparation and service process, staff training on safe food handling, and quality assurance checks that incorporate resident feedback on meal satisfaction.
Avina of Mayville is a nursing home located in Mayville, Wisconsin. The full inspection report with all cited deficiencies is available for review on the facility's profile at NursingHomeNews.org.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Avina of Mayville from 2025-12-04 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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