Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident's stated food preferences, specifically the dislike of pasta, as documented in the resident's care plan and dietary profile. Despite clear documentation that the resident did not want pasta and that the facility would honor food preferences, the resident was repeatedly served meals containing pasta or noodles, such as chicken noodle soup and a lunch tray with noodles. The resident expressed dissatisfaction with receiving these items and stated she would not eat them. Staff interviews revealed a lack of clarification regarding the resident's definition of pasta, with a CNA distinguishing between noodles and pasta, while the resident considered both to be the same. The Dietary Service Supervisor acknowledged that staff did not clarify the resident's preferences to ensure they were honored. The facility's policy required that resident preferences be reflected on tray cards and that the dietary department provide meals consistent with those preferences, but this was not followed in this case.