Failure to Serve Food at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to serve food at the preferred temperature for two residents, resulting in dissatisfaction during meals. One resident, who was cognitively intact and had multiple medical diagnoses including kidney failure and heart disease, reported never receiving a hot meal since admission, with meals described as only warm at best. This resident also noted that hot tea was rarely hot, iced tea was rarely cold, and meats were inconsistently cooked, sometimes overcooked or undercooked. Another resident, with severe cognitive impairment and a history of stroke, diabetes, and dysphagia, frequently received meals in his room and stated that the food was never really warm. Direct temperature checks of this resident's food trays revealed that hot items such as quiche, peas, and coffee were served well below the expected temperature of 165°F, and ice cream was above the recommended cold temperature. On another occasion, breakfast items like hash browns, biscuits, and coffee were also served below appropriate temperatures, and the resident expressed dissatisfaction with the temperature of the food. Staff did not offer to provide warmer food when concerns were raised.