Failure to Provide Resident's Preferred Food Items
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a resident with their preferred food items as indicated on their meal tray card for two consecutive meals. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including diabetes and protein-calorie malnutrition, had documented preferences for certain breakfast and lunch items, including cottage cheese, fruit cup, cereal, and a specific flavor of Magic Cup. During observations, the resident's breakfast tray did not include the preferred fruit cup, cereal, or cottage cheese, and the lunch tray was missing the fruit cup, cottage cheese, and the preferred berry-flavored Magic Cup. Instead, the resident received items not listed as preferences, such as eggs, which the resident had previously expressed a dislike for, and a chocolate-flavored Magic Cup, which the resident stated they would not eat. Interviews with the Food Service Director (FSD) revealed that there were difficulties in obtaining specific food items, such as cottage cheese and berry-flavored Magic Cups. Although cottage cheese was eventually sourced from a neighboring facility, it was not provided to the resident as required. The FSD also acknowledged that fruit cups were available but were not included on the resident's trays as indicated. The FSD had not consulted with the dietician or the resident regarding suitable substitutes for unavailable items. These actions and omissions resulted in the resident not receiving their preferred and prescribed food items during the observed meals.