Lack of Qualified Dietary Manager Overseeing Food Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a certified and credentialed dietary manager was overseeing and supervising the food preparation and services in the kitchen. The individual acting as the dietary manager had been in the lead/manager position for two years but had not enrolled in the required Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) course, citing the need to cover dietary shifts as the reason for the delay. The facility's registered dietician visited only once per month and provided guidance remotely, while the facility social worker supervised the dietary manager's daily duties. Interviews confirmed that the dietary manager did not possess the necessary qualifications to oversee the kitchen, and the facility was only in the process of looking into appropriate training. Document review showed that the job description for the Food and Nutrition Services Lead did not specify minimum qualifications, and the dietitian services agreement outlined the consultant dietician's role as advisory and supportive, with no daily on-site presence. The lack of a qualified dietary manager had the potential to affect all residents, visitors, and staff who consumed food from the kitchen, as the oversight of food and nutrition services was not in compliance with regulatory requirements.