Failure to Serve Food at Appetizing Temperature
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with diagnoses including hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia was served a hard-boiled egg at breakfast that was cold and unappetizing. The resident, who was cognitively intact and at risk for nutritional imbalance, reported to surveyors that she frequently received cold food and was unable to eat the cold egg provided. Observations confirmed that the egg was cold to the touch, as verified by both a Licensed Vocational Nurse and the Dietary Services Supervisor, who acknowledged that the egg felt as if it had just come out of the refrigerator and should have been reheated. The Dietary Services Supervisor further stated that eggs are stored in the refrigerator but are expected to be reheated before serving. The job description for the Dietary Services Supervisor included responsibility for ensuring food is appetizing and meets residents' needs. The failure to provide food at an appetizing temperature resulted in the resident being unable to consume the requested protein item at breakfast.