Failure to Serve Meals at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals were served in a warm, palatable manner, as evidenced by complaints from three residents who reported that their food was often cold and unappetizing. Interviews with these residents revealed dissatisfaction with the temperature and quality of the food, with one resident describing the meals as 'garbage' and 'nasty,' and another stating that food was 'always freezing cold when it should be hot.' One resident also expressed concern about the lack of appropriate food options for their diabetes. Observations during meal service showed that food temperatures were not consistently checked before serving, and staff were unclear about procedures for recording and monitoring food temperatures. Staff interviews indicated confusion regarding the requirement to temp food after placing it in steam tables, and review of temperature logs confirmed that not all items were recorded as temped. The facility's own policies required food to be served at safe and appetizing temperatures and for staff to record final cooking temperatures and check food temperatures when placed in hot holding units. Despite these policies, there was a lack of adherence to proper temperature monitoring and documentation, resulting in meals being served at suboptimal temperatures and multiple resident complaints.