Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diabetes, who was cognitively intact and able to communicate her needs, had a physician order for a low concentrated sugar diet and a care plan that included honoring her dietary choices. Despite this, the resident repeatedly received food items she disliked, specifically oatmeal and grits, which she had informed the dietary department she would not eat. The resident expressed frustration about receiving these unwanted items, as she had been taught not to waste food and found it upsetting to receive meals she would not consume. Observations revealed that the resident's meal tray ticket did not document her food dislikes, and on one occasion, she did not receive a requested banana, which she stated was important to her. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that residents should not receive items they have asked to avoid and that all items listed on the tray ticket should be provided. The administrator also confirmed the expectation that residents' food preferences should be honored. Despite these expectations, the facility failed to ensure the resident's food preferences were accommodated as communicated.