Failure to Employ Qualified Registered Dietitian
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a qualified Registered Dietitian for one of the twelve months, specifically in October 2024. This deficiency was identified through staff interviews, which revealed that the Registered Dietitian, Employee El, was employed from June 29, 2021, to August 20, 2024, and did not resume work on a PRN basis until November 6, 2024. During this gap, the facility did not have a qualified Registered Dietitian on staff as required by the regulations. An interview with the Nursing Home Administrator on January 29, 2025, confirmed that the facility had a Registered Dietitian from September 5, 2024, to October 4, 2024, but not for the entire month of October 2024. This lapse in employing a qualified dietitian is a violation of the regulatory requirements, which mandate that the facility must have sufficient dietary staff to meet the needs of the residents, taking into account their assessments, care plans, and the facility's resident population.
Plan Of Correction
Dietician was rehired and worked as a consultant from 11-6-2024 through present. On 2-17-2025 the dietician will again hold a part time position. If a qualified dietician is no longer employed, a contracted dietician will be hired either independently or through an agency until a new dietician is employed. All food service supervisors and current dietician have been educated on the requirements by the Administrator. The Administrator or designee will complete a monthly QAPI to ensure there is an appropriate dietician employed at the facility and results will be reported to the QAPI committee.