Failure to Provide Timely Feeding Assistance
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide timely feeding assistance to a resident with severe cognitive impairment and significant physical limitations. The resident required substantial to maximal assistance with eating, as documented in the Minimum Data Set and care plan, due to contractures, communication deficits, and impaired mobility. The care plan also identified a risk for altered nutritional status related to the need for eating assistance. On multiple observed occasions, lunch trays were delivered to the unit, but the resident did not receive feeding assistance until 30 to 60 minutes after tray delivery. On one day, the resident's tray remained untouched on a tv stand across the room for nearly an hour before staff began feeding. Staff interviews confirmed the delays, with nurse aides and the unit manager acknowledging that the resident was still waiting to be fed well after meal delivery. These actions were not in accordance with the facility's policy to provide timely care and assistance with activities of daily living, including eating.