Failure to Provide Eating Assistance to Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide necessary eating assistance to a resident who required substantial to maximal help with activities of daily living, specifically eating. The resident, who was cognitively intact and receiving hospice care, had diagnoses including arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and malnutrition. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) indicated the resident needed significant assistance with eating and transfers. Despite this, observations showed that staff delivered meal trays to the resident's room without ensuring he was awake, positioned properly, or aware that his meal had arrived. On two separate occasions, staff left the meal tray on the overbed table and exited the room without offering assistance or ensuring the resident could access his food. The call light was also out of reach during one observation. Interviews with staff confirmed that the resident required help to sit up and sometimes needed assistance with eating. Staff acknowledged the need to position the resident with the head of the bed elevated and to supervise or assist during meals. The resident had experienced significant weight loss, dropping from 138 to 106 pounds, and had poor intake, which was noted by the hospice nurse. Facility policy required nursing staff to help seat and position residents and identify factors that might affect food intake, but these guidelines were not followed for this resident.