Failure to Accommodate Resident Food Preferences During Emergency Cold Food Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accommodate residents' food preferences and choices for four out of six residents reviewed. From 6/11/25 to 6/24/25, the facility served primarily cold or room-temperature foods, such as cold cereal, canned fruit, deli meat sandwiches, potato chips, salads, ice cream, and pudding, with only a limited selection of hot foods like scrambled eggs, oatmeal, hamburgers, mashed potatoes, and grilled cheese sandwiches. This change was due to a broken dumbwaiter, which prevented safe transport of hot meals to the dining room. The facility implemented an emergency cold food plan, approved by the registered dietician, to avoid requiring kitchen staff to carry hot dishes up the stairs. The daily menus and staff interviews confirmed that the majority of meals during this period were cold foods, with only occasional hot options. Multiple residents expressed dissatisfaction with the repetitive and limited cold food options, stating that their preferences for hot meals were not met. Residents reported eating mostly sandwiches, salads, and fruit, and some relied on family members to bring in food from outside the facility. One resident described receiving a meal of watermelon, cottage cheese, and pudding, which she could not eat, while another stated he was tired of sandwiches and preferred hot meals. A complaint was filed by a resident and his family regarding the food service during this period. The facility's own policy states that clients' rights to be served food they choose and prefer will be honored, but this was not upheld during the emergency cold food plan.