Lack of Homelike Dining Experience in Unit Dayrooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a homelike dining experience for residents eating breakfast and dinner in the day/dining rooms on both nursing units. During observations, residents were seen eating their meals from trays, which created an institutional appearance. The tables lacked centerpieces or linens, and meal trays with lids were left on the tables, contributing to a non-homelike environment. Residents expressed that the dining experience was better during lunch when trays were removed, and dishes were placed directly on the tables, with flower centerpieces enhancing the atmosphere. Staff interviews revealed that the practice of leaving dishes on trays during breakfast and dinner in the unit dayrooms was routine, with no specific reason provided for this method. The facility's policy on meal distribution did not address the need for a homelike dining experience. The Activities Director and other staff acknowledged the importance of creating a homelike environment, but there was no directive to remove trays during these meals, indicating a lack of guidance and awareness in maintaining a homelike setting for residents during all meals.
Plan Of Correction
This plan of correction is submitted as required under Federal and State regulations and statutes applicable to long term care providers. This plan of correction does not constitute an admission of liability on the part of the facility, and such liability is hereby specifically denied. The submission of this plan does not constitute agreement by the facility that the surveyors findings or conclusions are accurate, that the findings constitute a deficiency, or that the scope or severity regarding any of these deficiencies cited are correctly applied. 1. Ensured trays and lids were removed from the tables during all meals in the day room areas, tablecloths and centerpieces were ordered on. The dining room was opened on for dinner, then scheduled to open the following day for breakfast. 2. Observed all dining areas and corrected all issues found at that time. Daily observation of the day room areas and dining room to ensure that resident meals are served in a homelike environment with tablecloths and centerpieces, as well as the trays being removed under the plate and lids removed from table. 3. Educate all staff on removing trays and lids from table for all meals with an emphasis on meals served in day rooms. Audit of two meals per day to ensure that meals are set properly on table in the dining room and day rooms, without lids on tables, tablecloths and centerpieces in place including cleanliness. The dining room is now scheduled to be opened for breakfast, lunch, and dinner according to facility policy. 4. 5 Random Quality reviews will be completed weekly, including weekends by weekend supervisor or designee. The audits will include homelike environment, such as plates and lids removed from trays for all meals and main dining room open for all meals. Audit will include observation of tablecloths and centerpieces to ensure compliance. 5. NHA/DON will conduct a quality review on mealtimes being set properly and homelike environment components are in place. This will be conducted 5x weekly for 4 weeks, then weekly for 2 months.