Failure to Serve Palatable and Properly Heated Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals were served to residents at a palatable and proper temperature, as required by policy. Observations showed that a meal tray for one resident was left on a metal cart in the hallway for approximately 20 minutes before being delivered to the resident's room. When the resident attempted to eat, she was unable to cut the sausage, describing it as rubbery, and indicated that her food was cold. She also stated that she rarely received hot food because it often sat in the hallway before being served. Another resident was observed eating only about half of her meal and leaving the rest uneaten, with a balled-up napkin on the plate. She reported that her food was not hot and that she did not request reheating because it took too long. The facility's current policy requires that all hot and cold food be served at a palatable temperature at the time it is received by the resident. These findings were based on direct observation, resident interviews, and a review of facility policy.