Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to honor a resident's documented food preferences, specifically the daily provision of two hard-boiled eggs for breakfast. The resident, who had chronic pain, thoracic intervertebral disc degeneration, and COPD, was cognitively intact and independent with eating. The care plan and meal tickets consistently reflected the resident's preference for hard-boiled eggs, and the dietitian had communicated these preferences to the dietary and kitchen staff. Despite this, the resident did not receive hard-boiled eggs for over three weeks, and this was confirmed by both the resident and staff interviews, as well as direct observation. Staff interviews revealed that the kitchen substituted other foods when hard-boiled eggs were unavailable, and the Food Service Director was unaware of the ongoing lack of eggs and the resident's unmet preference. The resident had repeatedly voiced complaints to staff and the administrator, but the issue persisted, with the administrator referencing the cost of eggs rather than addressing the resident's needs. Facility documentation and interviews confirmed that the resident's right to have individual food preferences honored was not met, as required by facility policy and resident rights.