Failure to Provide Sufficient and Appropriate Menu Items for Regular Diets
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow the posted lunch menu by not preparing a sufficient amount of vegetables for residents on a regular diet. During meal service, dietary staff ran out of regular cabbage and served pureed cabbage to three residents who were on a regular diet, which was not consistent with their prescribed diet consistency. Additionally, a test tray requested during the same meal did not include either fried cabbage or pureed cabbage, as listed on the menu. The dietary manager acknowledged that running out of food was unusual and recognized that serving pureed food to residents on a regular diet could result in decreased food intake. The dietician confirmed that pureed vegetables should not be served to residents on a regular diet and that the cook should have prepared enough food for all residents, including those who might want additional servings. The administrator stated that residents should receive food in the consistency ordered by their physician and that the failure to provide the correct food consistency was due to a miscalculation of needs for regular diets. The facility's policy requires that menus be followed as posted, with any substitutions being of comparable nutritive value and reviewed by the dietician. The incident was attributed to a failure in meal preparation and monitoring, resulting in residents not receiving the appropriate menu items or diet consistency as required.