Failure to Employ Certified Dietary Manager and Ensure Dietitian Oversight
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) to oversee the kitchen and did not ensure that the Registered Dietitian assumed full responsibility and accountability for the Dietary Services Department. Observations revealed that after the former CDM's last day, there was no CDM present in the kitchen, and the duties were not being properly managed. The facility's job descriptions for both the Dietitian and Dietary Manager outlined responsibilities for oversight, quality assurance, and staff direction, but these were not being fulfilled due to the absence of a CDM. On one occasion, a CDM from an affiliated facility was observed overseeing the kitchen, but this was not a consistent arrangement. Interviews with staff indicated that the Registered Dietitian attempted to assist the dietary supervisor but was not able to fully assume the required responsibilities. The Dietary Supervisor admitted to not making cleaning schedules or duty assignments, resulting in staff cleaning as they saw fit without assigned responsibilities. The staff list provided by the facility confirmed the absence of a CDM, and the Administrator acknowledged that the former CDM had left and had not been replaced. The deficiency affected the provision of oral meals to 184 of 203 residents.