Failure to Timely Assess Enteral Feeding and Approve Menus
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assess a resident receiving enteral feedings in a timely manner and did not ensure that the planned menu for all four weeks of the menu cycle was approved by the Registered Dietitian. Review of the Registered Dietitian's job description indicated responsibilities for implementing, coordinating, and evaluating medical nutrition therapy, as well as developing dietary assessments and plans of care for residents. However, facility documentation revealed that the corporate Registered Dietitian had not signed or approved the menus currently in use. Additionally, it was confirmed through staff interview that the facility did not follow the approved diet spreadsheets and did not offer residents an alternate menu selection of similar nutritional value.