Failure to Implement Care Plan for Meal Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a comprehensive care plan for a resident who required supervision and cueing during meals. According to the resident's care plan and Minimum Data Set (MDS), the resident had multiple diagnoses including diabetes, bilateral cataracts, lung disease, anxiety, cognitive deficit, dementia, and muscle weakness, and was assessed as needing supervision or touching assistance while eating. Despite this, during an observation, the resident was left alone while eating, experienced difficulty, and expressed distress, stating she was not okay and began shaking. Staff were not present to provide the required assistance or cueing during the meal. When the nurse aide removed the meal tray, only the oatmeal had been eaten, and the aide stated the resident told her she was done. The Assistant Director of Nursing initially stated the resident feeds herself, but upon reviewing the care plan, confirmed that the required assistance was not provided. This failure to follow the care plan and provide the necessary support during meals constituted a deficiency in meeting the resident's care needs as outlined in facility policy and regulatory requirements.