Failure to Provide Properly Pureed Food for Residents with Swallowing Difficulties
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide pureed peas in a smooth consistency for six residents who required pureed diets due to diagnoses such as difficulty swallowing and stroke. During meal preparation, the cook completed the pureeing process for peas, but visible chunks and pieces of skin remained, requiring chewing to swallow. Both the surveyor and the dietary supervisor confirmed the peas were not smooth, and the dietary supervisor acknowledged that peas are difficult to puree but should be blended until smooth. The pureed peas were only reprocessed after the deficiency was identified by staff. All six affected residents had documented medical conditions necessitating pureed diets, including difficulty swallowing and stroke. The facility's own protocol required altered consistency diets to manage aspiration risks, but the initial preparation of the peas did not meet these requirements, as the food was not adequately pureed before being served.