Failure to Follow Standardized Recipes During Meal Preparation
Penalty
Summary
Dietary staff failed to follow standardized recipes during meal preparation, as observed on multiple occasions. One cook was seen preparing a cheese quesadilla as an alternative meal without using a measuring scoop or referencing the recipe, instead using her hands to estimate the amount of shredded cheese. The Registered Dietitian confirmed that not measuring ingredients could alter the nutritional value of the meal, potentially resulting in residents not receiving the correct amount of calories, protein, and nutrients as intended by the physician-ordered diet. Another incident involved the preparation of pureed bread, where the cook did not follow the facility's standardized recipe. The cook added an unmeasured amount of soy milk and thickener to the bread, deviating from the specified quantities and instructions in the recipe. The Registered Dietitian stated that failure to follow the recipe could result in changes to the nutritional content of the pureed bread, which is critical for residents who rely on modified texture diets. Additionally, during the preparation of buttered carrots, a cook was observed pouring an unmeasured amount of margarine into the carrots, rather than using the amount specified in the standardized recipe. The Registered Dietitian reiterated that not measuring ingredients as directed in recipes can alter the nutritional value of the food served. Facility policies reviewed indicated that all menu items should be prepared according to standardized recipes to preserve or enhance residents' nutrition, but these procedures were not followed during the observed meal preparations.