F0806

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Failure to Prevent Serving Allergen-Containing Food to Resident with Documented Food Allergies

Reseda, California Survey Completed on 04-11-2025

Penalty

Fine: $17,34513 days payment denial

Summary

A resident with documented allergies to gluten and lactose was served cream of wheat for breakfast, despite multiple records indicating these allergies. The resident's care plan, physician's orders, allergy list, dietary profile, and other medical documentation all specified the need for a gluten-free and lactose-free diet. The resident's meal ticket did indicate a gluten restriction, but the actual food provided did not comply, and the meal ticket did not specify the correct gluten-free substitute (cream of rice). The resident reported previous instances of being served foods containing gluten and stated that staff had been informed of these allergies.

The dietary staff prepared only oatmeal and cream of wheat for breakfast, and cream of rice, the appropriate substitute, was not available in stock. Staff responsible for preparing and checking trays were either unaware that cream of wheat contained gluten or had been incorrectly informed that it was safe for gluten-free diets. The kitchen staff had not received training on gluten-free diets, and the facility's software failed to update the meal ticket to reflect the resident's dietary needs. The food service manager or supervisor did not check the resident's tray for the correct diet before it was delivered, as required by facility policy.

Interviews with staff revealed gaps in knowledge and communication regarding food allergies and dietary restrictions. The licensed nurse who checked the tray was not able to accurately identify whether the hot cereal was gluten-free and relied on incomplete information from the meal ticket. The dietary aide responsible for tray accuracy had been told by a previous supervisor that cream of wheat was acceptable for gluten-free diets, leading to repeated errors. The facility's purchasing records showed that cream of rice had not been restocked in a timely manner, further contributing to the deficiency.

Removal Plan

• The DON immediately assessed Resident 71 for any adverse reaction and there were none noted.
• The facility notified Resident 71's attending physician and Resident 71's family of the incident of giving food containing allergies. The attending physician did not give any new orders.
• The Minimum Data Set Coordinator 1 (MDSC 1) updated Resident 71's allergy Care Plan to remove gluten allergy and Resident 71's nutrition risk Care Plan to reflect gluten intolerance prior to a diagnostic test for allergies.
• The Registered Dietitian (RD) evaluated Resident 71 and updated food preferences, reviewed allergies and food intolerances, and completed a nutritional assessment.
• The Director of Staff Development (DSD) provided one-on-one in-service training to Licensed Vocational Nurse 3 (LVN 3, who checked Resident 71's breakfast prior to serving) to ensure: a) Identification of food allergies using the daily Allergy Report provided by DON and/or designee. The daily Allergy Report can be found in a special needs binder located at each nursing station and dining room. b) Prior to tray passing to residents during mealtimes, a licensed nurse will check all trays for accuracy of meal ticket and physician diet orders against what is on the residents' meal tray using the diet report. c) Prior to passing the meal trays to the residents during mealtimes, a licensed nurse will check the diet type report and the meal ticket on each tray against the food on the resident's meal tray. d) Prior to tray passing to residents during mealtime, a licensed nurse will check all the trays to ensure any resident with a gluten allergy is not served unless food item on food tray is labeled gluten free.
• The DON, the DSD, the RD, the Dietary Supervisor (DS) initiated an in-service to staff (including RNs, LVNs, CNAs, Rehabilitation Therapists, the Dietary Manager, cooks, tray line staff, dishwashers, Dietary Preparation staff, and Department Heads) about identification of food allergies using the daily Allergy Report, 2 licensed nurse will check all the trays to ensure meal ticket, physicians orders and Diet Type Report are accurate against resident's food trays. The in-service also included checking all the trays to ensure all trays are checked for gluten allergies and not served foods containing gluten. Snacks for residents on gluten free diet will be labeled gluten free. A licensed nurse will check the diet type report, snacks label and food to ensure accuracy before serving it to the residents.
• The DS completed an in-service to the dietary staff (Dietary Manager, cooks, tray line staff, dishwashers, and dietary preparation staff) related to food allergy, labeling of gluten-free food items, and ensuring all trays are checked accurately to ensure residents are not served a food item they are allergic prior to trays being sent out of the kitchen. Tray line staff will refer to Diet Manual for Guidance on alternatives for residents on gluten restricted diet/gluten allergy/intolerance. Staff that have not yet been in-serviced (those on vacation and per diem employees) will be in-serviced on their first reported day back to work.
• The DON and or designee will update the Allergy report daily at the clinical meeting (Monday to Friday), and ensure it is available at each nursing station and dining room and a copy will be provided to the kitchen.
• The DON, the Assistant DON (ADON), the MDS Nurse and the DSD observed the licensed nurses checking for tray accuracy prior to trays being served to residents. No issues were identified and the 10 residents who had food allergies and or food intolerances had accurate trays. The DON and ADON assessed the 10 residents for any signs and symptoms of allergic reaction, and none noted.
• The RD provided in-service to final tray line staff who checked Resident 71's breakfast tray.
• The DON reviewed all residents and identified 10 residents with food allergies. Resident 71 the only resident identified to be on a gluten restricted diet. One resident identified having gluten allergy had been hospitalized for unrelated medical condition. Upon this resident readmitted to the facility, the nurse will obtain an order from the MD for allergy test.
• The Regional RD observed breakfast tray line to ensure accuracy of the meal tickets to what was being placed on resident's meal trays. There were no issues identified and the 10 residents who had food allergies and or intolerances had accurate trays.
• The DON completed competency for the licensed nurse who checked Resident 71's tray and met expectations as evidenced by the licensed nurse being able to correctly check the diet orders, resident allergies against the food tray.
• The DON and or designee will complete a random daily visual check of meal trays for residents with identified food allergies using the Daily Food Allergy Audit Form. This audit will remain on-going until the goal is achieved.
• The DON and or designee will review the change in conditions daily related to food allergies.
• The DON and or designee will complete a Monthly Food Allergy Interview Audit Tool to ensure that each residents allergies are current, and up to date. This audit will remain ongoing until the goal is achieved.
• The DON obtained an order from Medical Doctor (MD) for Tissue Transglutaminase ([tTG-igA], blood test to diagnose celiac disease, a disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, leading to difficulty in digesting food) to be drawn.
• The DON discussed with MD to update Resident 71's gluten intolerance to gluten allergy. The DON updated allergy profile and care plan to reflect resident's gluten allergy. The DON provided dietary communication form to dietary staff for gluten allergy update.
• Registered Nurse Supervisor obtained order from MD for Resident 71 for psychology consult for psychosocial support.
• The RN Supervisor and or designee will update the Allergy report and special needs binder on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) at each nursing station, and dining room.
• The RD will check food inventory weekly based on the upcoming week's menu using the Inventory form. If any items are missing, the RD will notify the Dietary Manager/designee, and the RD will approve appropriate alternative with same nutritional value if necessary.