Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences in Meal Planning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess and honor the individual food preferences of a resident with multiple medical diagnoses, including congestive heart failure, COPD, atrial fibrillation, peripheral neuropathy, and a history of repeated falls. Despite the resident having intact cognition and the ability to make decisions, documentation and interviews revealed that her stated dislikes for eggs and sweet foods in the morning were not reflected on her meal tray ticket. The resident reported repeatedly informing staff of her preferences, yet she continued to be served foods she disliked, such as eggs and sweet rolls, which she ate only to avoid hunger. Record reviews showed that the Dietary Supervisor was responsible for visiting new residents to document food preferences and updating these preferences in the resident's health records and meal tray tickets. However, the resident's meal tray ticket did not indicate her specific dislikes, and the last nutritional screening was completed several months prior. Facility policy required quarterly reviews of food preferences, but there was no evidence that the resident's preferences were updated or considered in her meal planning, resulting in a failure to meet her nutritional needs and preferences.