Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences and Requests
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to honor resident food and drink preferences for six residents. Multiple residents reported not receiving the food items they selected on their menus, with some stating this occurred several times a week. During a group interview, all residents present agreed there were ongoing problems with the kitchen, and several residents specifically mentioned not receiving their requested meals or having items missing from their trays. One resident's lunch ticket specifically stated 'no pasta,' yet the resident was served spaghetti and meatballs, a fact confirmed by both the resident and a nursing aide who reviewed the ticket. Another resident, who is dependent on staff for all activities of daily living and is on a mechanically altered and therapeutic diet due to multiple sclerosis, did not receive the specific sandwich requested by her family. The family had provided bologna, apple sauce, and cranberry juice to ensure the resident received preferred items, but the resident was served a turkey sandwich instead of the requested bologna. A licensed nurse confirmed awareness of the resident's dietary preferences but was unable to explain why the correct item was not provided. These findings demonstrate that the facility did not consistently provide food that accommodated resident preferences and requests as required.