Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to honor and facilitate a resident's right to self-determination by not providing meals in accordance with the resident's stated food preferences. The resident, who had a history of cerebral infarction, dementia, and vitamin deficiency, was assessed as having severely impaired cognition. Despite the resident's meal ticket clearly indicating dislikes for mixed vegetables and beans, these items were still included on his lunch tray. During observation, the resident did not consume these items and stated he had previously informed the facility of his dislikes. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident's meal ticket listed his food dislikes and that these preferences should have been honored. Both the CNA and the dietary cook acknowledged that substitutes should have been provided in place of the disliked foods, and the dietary cook admitted she had not clarified the resident's preferences regarding beans. The dining service coordinator also confirmed that resident meal preferences documented on meal tickets are to be followed, and substitutions should be made when necessary.