Failure to Follow Puree Diet Menu and Provide Alternatives
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to meet the nutritional needs of residents on a puree diet by not following the posted menu and not providing appropriate alternatives for all menu items. Observations and interviews revealed that while the lunch menu included meatloaf, black-eyed peas, cauliflower and cheese, dinner roll, and lemon glazed cake, only the meatloaf, black-eyed peas, and cauliflower and cheese were pureed for residents on a puree diet. The cook confirmed that the glazed cake was not pureed and that pudding was provided as an alternative for all puree diets. Additionally, dinner rolls were not pureed, nor was an alternative provided for bread when it was served. The Dietary Manager confirmed that cooks did not puree bread or provide an alternative for bread for residents on puree diets, and acknowledged that the menu was not followed for these residents. Facility policies require that menus meet the nutritional needs of residents and that if a food group is missing, an alternate means of meeting nutritional needs should be provided. These requirements were not met for the five residents receiving a puree diet, as the menu was not fully followed and appropriate alternatives were not consistently provided.