Failure to Provide Palatable and Appealing Meals
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that meals served were palatable and appealing for two residents. One resident, with quadriplegia and neuromuscular dysfunction of the bladder, reported consistently refusing facility-prepared food due to knowledge of a roach infestation in the kitchen and dissatisfaction with the quality of the meals. This resident relied on outside food provided by family and reported that personal food stored in the unit pantry was often stolen. The resident also noted that on weekends, with fewer dietary staff present, meals appeared to be made from leftovers from previous days. Another resident, who is blind and has chronic back pain and migraines, expressed dissatisfaction with the quality and variety of food, stating that meals were often not cooked well and consisted mostly of processed items. The resident reported a lack of fresh fruit options and described being hungry at times due to limited snack choices, particularly at night. Both residents indicated a preference for ordering food from outside sources due to the unpalatable nature of facility meals. The Dietary Manager acknowledged ongoing efforts to improve the menu and confirmed previous issues with roaches in the kitchen, stating that the infestation was currently under control.