Failure to Provide Dignified and Timely Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement dignified feeding practices and maintain resident dignity and respect by not serving meals in a timely manner to individuals seated at the same table in both the North and Haven dining areas. Observations revealed that residents seated together were not served their meals at the same time, resulting in some residents eating while others waited and watched, and in some cases, residents finishing and leaving the table before others had received their meals. Facility policy requires that all residents at the same table be served before moving to another table, but this was not followed during the observed meal service. Additionally, multiple residents and a family member reported that meals were frequently served in Styrofoam containers, which often resulted in cold food. Staff interviews confirmed that the use of Styrofoam containers and delays in meal service were due to inadequate staffing in the dietary department. The dietary manager acknowledged that staffing shortages led to the use of disposable containers and confirmed that residents at the same table should be served simultaneously, as per facility policy.