Failure to Provide Alternative Meal Options During Holiday Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appealing food options for a resident who requested an alternative meal during a holiday meal service. On Thanksgiving Day, a resident expressed dissatisfaction with the meal served and requested a grilled cheese sandwich instead. The dietary department informed the resident's assigned nurse that they could not provide the requested grilled cheese sandwich due to the increased workload of preparing holiday meals for both residents and staff, and a lack of sufficient dietary staff to prepare hot food items from the 'Always Available' menu. As a result, the resident did not receive an alternative meal and was documented as having refused lunch. The resident reportedly had snacks in her room instead of a proper meal. This incident highlights the facility's failure to ensure that appealing food options were available for residents who requested different meal choices, particularly during holiday meal services.
Plan Of Correction
1. R1's food preferences have been updated and R1 is receiving preferred meals. 2. Facility ensured that food preferences are up to date for current residents. 3. Nursing staff and Dietary staff will be inserviced on always available menu/alternatives. 4. NHA or designee will conduct weekly audits to ensure residents are receiving an alternative meal choice if requested. Results of the audits will be presented to the QAA committee and the QAA committee will determine the need for continued audits.