Failure to Serve Food and Drink at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to ensure food and drink were served at safe and appetizing temperatures for residents on the South One Unit. Observations and interviews revealed that multiple residents received meals that were cold, unpalatable, and not in compliance with the facility's own food safety policy. During a test tray evaluation, hot food items such as corned beef, potatoes, and cabbage were served at temperatures well below the required 135 degrees Fahrenheit, while cold items like apple juice were above the recommended 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents reported that their meals were consistently cold, dry, and lacked flavor, with some refusing to eat the food provided. The deficiency was further substantiated by staff interviews and direct observation of the meal service process. The tray cart used for meal delivery lacked insulating doors and was only covered with a plastic bag, contributing to the temperature drop during the extended tray line process, which took about two hours. Staff acknowledged that both hot and cold foods were not maintained at appropriate temperatures, and that delays in tray delivery by nursing staff exacerbated the issue. The Registered Dietician was not available for comment during the survey.