Pureed Foods Not Prepared to Required Consistency and Shape
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prepare pureed foods in a form designed to meet individual needs for residents on a pureed diet. Observations during trayline revealed that pureed mashed potatoes and pureed roast turkey did not hold their shapes on the plate and appeared flat when served. The Dietary Supervisor and Assistant Dietary Supervisor confirmed that while the pureed foods passed the spoon tilt test for appropriate texture, they did not maintain their shape as required by both the facility's diet manual and standardized recipes. The facility's own policies and the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) guidelines specify that pureed foods should be smooth, moist, and able to hold their shape on the plate, in addition to passing texture tests. A review of the facility's menu, diet manual, and standardized recipes indicated that pureed foods must be smooth, free of lumps, and able to hold their shape, aligning with IDDSI Level 4 requirements. Despite these guidelines, the pureed items observed did not meet the shape-holding criteria, as confirmed by both dietary supervisors. This deficiency affected 12 residents on a pureed diet, as the food provided did not meet the specified consistency and presentation standards outlined in facility policies and national guidelines.