Failure to Ensure Safe and Appropriate Handling of Food Brought in by Family
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food brought in by family members for a resident with complex medical needs met the prescribed diet and food safety requirements. The resident in question had diagnoses including end stage renal disease, dependence on hemodialysis, heart failure, protein-calorie malnutrition, and hypertension, and was on a renal diet with fluid restrictions. Despite these needs, the resident and family were allowed to bring in home-cooked foods without documented education or monitoring to ensure compliance with dietary and safety guidelines. Interviews and record reviews revealed that the care plan for the resident did not address the issue of food brought in by family, nor did it document any education provided to the resident or family regarding the prescribed diet, fluid restrictions, or food safety. Both the Dietary Service Supervisor and the Registered Dietician acknowledged awareness of the family bringing in food since admission but failed to include this in the care plan or provide the necessary education. There was also no documentation of interdisciplinary team discussions regarding this matter. The facility's policy required staff to provide families with information on safe food handling and to discuss nutrition goals when outside food was brought in frequently. However, there was no evidence that these steps were taken for this resident, and the policy was not implemented as required. This lack of action resulted in a failure to ensure the resident's dietary and safety needs were met as outlined in the facility's own procedures.