Failure to Provide Proper Pureed Diet Consistency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its policy for preparing pureed diets, as observed during a lunch tray line inspection. A container of pureed turkey intended for residents on a pureed diet was found to contain green particles, later identified as sweet relish added by the cook for flavor. The facility's policy requires pureed foods to have a soft, smooth, and uniform consistency without lumps or pieces, similar to mashed potatoes. Both the Food Service Director and the speech-language pathologist confirmed that the presence of these particles did not meet the required pureed diet consistency. This deficiency was identified during one of two main kitchen visits and had the potential to affect nine residents on a pureed diet out of a total census of 103 residents.