Failure to Provide Palatable and Properly Prepared Food Due to Equipment Malfunction
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prepare and serve palatable food to its residents, as evidenced by multiple observations, interviews, and record reviews. The daily census confirmed that 47 residents were present at the time of the deficiency. Resident council minutes documented ongoing complaints about the quality of food, specifically noting issues such as burnt eggs, watery food, and undercooked or overcooked meals. Direct observations on 6/20/25 revealed that tuna patties served to residents were hard and overdone. Multiple residents reported that food, including chicken, tuna patties, and eggs, was frequently burnt and sometimes inedible. Staff members, including CNAs and the cook, corroborated these complaints, stating that food was often burnt and that residents were not consistently offered bedtime snacks. Further investigation revealed that the root cause of the issue was a malfunctioning oven, as stated by the dietary manager and cook, who both confirmed that the oven regulators had not been working since before the current company took over in November 2024. This equipment failure led to food being consistently overcooked or burnt. The facility's job description for dietary staff emphasized the importance of preparing food in a safe and palatable manner, but this standard was not met due to the ongoing equipment issues and lack of corrective action.