Delayed Meal Service Due to Inadequate Staffing and Poor Coordination
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate staffing and coordination for meal service in the kitchen, resulting in significant delays in meal delivery to residents. Scheduled lunch service was to begin at 11:30 AM, but observations showed that meal carts arrived late to dining areas, with the final cart arriving up to 74 minutes after the scheduled start time. Staff interviews confirmed that such delays occurred routinely one to two times per week, with delays lasting up to 45 minutes. Staff responsible for meal preparation and delivery reported being unable to complete tasks on time due to limited personnel and space constraints in the kitchen. Communication between dietary and nursing staff was insufficient, as nursing staff were rarely notified of late meals, impacting the administration of diabetic medications that needed to be given prior to meals. The lack of clearly defined expectations for meal service timing between departments contributed to the ongoing delays. The facility administrator acknowledged the absence of established protocols for meal service timing and emphasized the need for improved teamwork, communication, and kitchen efficiency.