Failure to Provide Palatable Food at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide food that was palatable, attractive, and served at safe and appetizing temperatures, as observed during multiple meal services. On one occasion, residents were served a chicken salad sandwich, beets, and pears instead of the scheduled menu of tomato basil soup, hot tuna and cheese sandwich, pickled beets, and sliced pears. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the repetitive menu and questioned the frequent serving of chicken. The Dietary Manager was unable to explain the menu substitution and acknowledged that the meal provided did not meet adequate caloric intake. Staff interviews confirmed that soup was omitted from the meal due to unavailability, and the Dietary Manager noted ongoing concerns about menu repetition and the lack of a functioning food council. Multiple residents reported that food was often cold, repetitive, and unpalatable, whether eaten in the dining room or delivered to their rooms. The Dietary Manager acknowledged awareness of complaints about cold food and noted the absence of insulated food carts for tray delivery. A test tray revealed that hot food items were below the required temperature, and cold items were above the required temperature, with potato wedges noted as undercooked. The facility's policy requires hot foods to be held at or above 135°F and cold foods at or below 41°F, but these standards were not met during the survey.