Failure to Serve Food at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was served at palatable and appetizing temperatures for three residents who frequently ate in their rooms. Observations and interviews revealed that these residents consistently received meals that were cold or not warm enough, with one resident stating that food was always served cold and another noting that breakfast was usually cold. Although staff offered to reheat or replace meals when complaints were made, residents often declined these offers. A test tray taken from an uninsulated food cart at the end of meal service showed food temperatures below the facility's policy requirements, with all items measuring between 124.3°F and 126°F, which is below the required minimum of 135°F for hot foods. Staff interviews confirmed that complaints about cold food were received, particularly on one hall, and that dietary staff were notified of these issues. The dietary manager and staff demonstrated inconsistent knowledge of the facility's food temperature policy, with some believing that food should be above 120°F or 125°F, rather than the policy-stated 135°F. The administrator stated that staff should not reheat served meals in the microwave but should replace them with fresh meals, though this practice was not consistently followed. The affected residents had diagnoses including diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and GERD, and were cognitively intact, able to report their dissatisfaction with food temperatures.