Failure to Routinely Offer Snacks Between Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to routinely offer snacks to residents when the interval between meals exceeded 14 hours, affecting all 35 residents. One resident, who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including heart failure, diabetes, and COPD, reported never being offered a snack during her stay and was unaware she could request one. Staff interviews revealed inconsistent practices regarding snack distribution, with some staff noting that snacks were only available if specifically requested from the kitchen and that there was no regular snack cart or routine offering. The dietary manager confirmed that snacks were not consistently provided and was unsure of the established process, while the registered dietitian acknowledged that residents would benefit from snacks and fluids at least once daily but was unfamiliar with the facility's procedures. The administrator agreed that there was a significant gap in the process, noting that there were 15 hours between supper and breakfast without a substantial snack being offered. Review of the facility's snack policy showed that while it described how to assist residents with snacks, it did not specify the timing or frequency for offering them. This lack of routine snack provision and unclear policy contributed to the deficiency identified during the survey.