Failure to Provide Dignified, Homelike Dining Experience and Use of Inappropriate Language
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor residents' rights to a dignified existence and a homelike dining experience during meal service on one of four units. Observations showed that during both lunch and dinner, all residents in the dining room were served meals on trays, and staff did not remove plates, silverware, or cups from the trays to place them directly on the dining tables. This practice was confirmed by staff interviews, where CNAs stated that serving meals on trays and leaving them on the tables was standard practice, and they had not been instructed otherwise. One CNA also referred to a resident as a "feeder" while serving her meal, acknowledging later that this was inappropriate language to use in front of the resident. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that staff should remove meal items from trays and place them in front of residents to create a homelike environment, and that the term "feeder" is not appropriate and staff are aware of this expectation. Review of the facility's meal delivery policy indicated that meal items should be removed from trays in group dining areas to the extent possible. The deficiency was identified based on observations, staff interviews, and policy review, with no additional information provided prior to survey exit.