Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with end stage renal disease (ESRD) and documented dislikes for both pasta and rice was served rice during lunch. The resident's admission record, Minimum Data Set (MDS), and Nutrition/Dietary Note all indicated these food preferences, and the resident's meal ticket for the day in question also reflected the dislike for rice. Despite this documentation, the resident was observed being served rice, and the resident confirmed that rice is regularly served despite staff being aware of the preference. The Registered Dietitian (RD) reviewed the resident's dietary documentation and confirmed that the facility should have honored the resident's preferences and provided an appropriate substitute. The facility's policy requires that food preferences be assessed upon admission and communicated to the interdisciplinary team, with modifications made only with the resident's consent. The failure to follow these documented preferences led to the resident being served an unwanted food item.