Failure to Serve Meals at Palatable Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals were served at an appetizing and safe temperature for 12 of 15 residents reviewed. Multiple residents reported that their food, including items such as scrambled eggs, chili dogs, burgers, and French fries, was consistently served cold or not hot enough. Observations confirmed that meal trays were delivered to units with significant delays, and residents received their food well after the meal carts arrived. Staff interviews corroborated that food was often not hot upon arrival, and CNAs frequently had to reheat meals in microwaves before serving them to residents. Resident council feedback and individual interviews highlighted that the issue was particularly prevalent with room tray meals, especially during the evening meal service. Facility documentation indicated scheduled meal times, but observations showed that the actual delivery and serving of meals did not align with these times, resulting in cold food. The facility's policy required monitoring of food temperatures to ensure palatability and prevent foodborne illness, but this was not consistently followed, as evidenced by the repeated resident complaints and staff admissions.