Deficiency in Dignified Dining Experience
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a dignified dining experience for residents during a lunch meal service. Observations made by surveyors revealed that cold food items, including desserts and salads, were portioned into Styrofoam containers and placed on trays for direct service to resident units. This practice was confirmed by the Director of Dining Services (DDS) Employee E1, who acknowledged the use of Styrofoam service ware for the lunch meal service. During an interview, DDS Employee E1 explained that the use of Styrofoam was due to staffing challenges, which resulted in an inability to clean dirty dishes from breakfast service in time for lunch. This led to a shortage of reusable service ware for cold items and desserts. Employee E1 confirmed that to eliminate the use of Styrofoam, the facility would need to order more service ware from a vendor. The facility's actions were found to be in violation of resident rights to a dignified dining experience.
Plan Of Correction
1. The food service department purchased an amount of non-disposable ware to ensure those items that are accidentally thrown out during meals and or not returned to the kitchen after meals do not hinder the food service department's ability to put out non-disposable ware. 2. The food service director or designee audited number of non-disposable ware for total needed from meals need per census to ensure enough non-disposable ware was available. 3. The food service director and assistant were re in serviced by the NHA to ensure Residents retain the right to a dignified dining experience. 4. The food service director or designee will audit meals daily for a month to ensure Residents retain the right to a dignified dining experience.