Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences and Dislikes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor the documented food preferences of several residents, specifically those who preferred Korean cuisine and one resident who disliked carrots. Observations during meal service revealed that residents who had a preference for Korean pureed meals were instead served items from the American pureed menu, with only pureed kimchi from the Korean menu being provided. The Lead Cook confirmed that the American menu was used for all pureed meals and that the Korean menu pureed items, aside from kimchi, were not prepared. The Dietary Services Supervisor (DSS) acknowledged that the kitchen staff were informed of residents' preferences via meal tickets but was unaware that the full Korean pureed menu was not being prepared as required. Medical record reviews for two residents confirmed their documented preference for Korean food at lunch and dinner, yet both received American pureed meals during the observed lunch service. Meal tickets for these residents also indicated their preference for Korean food, which was not honored. Additionally, another resident who had a documented dislike for carrots was served a meal containing carrots, which she did not eat. This was verified by both the attending LVN and the DSS, who confirmed the resident's preference was clearly indicated on the meal ticket but not followed. These failures were identified through direct observation, interviews with staff, and review of medical records and meal tickets. The deficiencies were acknowledged by the DSS and DON during interviews, with the DSS attributing the failure to a mistake made by the cook. The report documents that these actions and inactions resulted in residents not receiving meals in accordance with their documented preferences and dislikes.
Plan Of Correction
F806 Resident Allergies, Preferences, Substitutes Corrective action for residents found to have been affected by this deficiency: - DS visited Residents 7, 16, 27, 35, 96, and 40 on 7/7/25, ensuring meal satisfaction, updating all food preferences per resident or resident representative. - DS in-serviced all dietary staff initiated on 6/17/25 and completed for all dietary staff on 7/7/25, utilizing P&P "Menus and Adequate Nutrition," emphasizing the importance of honoring all food preferences, including cultural foods, ensuring residents' nutritional adequacy and satisfaction. Measures that will be put into place to ensure that this deficiency does not recur: - DS, RD, or trained designee will conduct test tray and tray line audits, 3 times per week X 3 months, ensuring all food preferences are honored, including all Korean cultural food preferences, and that no foods residents dislike are on the meal trays. Measures that will be implemented to monitor the continued effectiveness of the corrective action taken to ensure that this deficiency has been corrected and will not recur: - DS, or RD will report their findings regarding honoring food preferences and cultural food requests to the QA committee for discussion and further recommendations. The QA will continue monitoring for a minimum of 3 months or until substantial compliance is achieved.