Failure to Obtain and Document Resident Food Preferences Upon Admission
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain and document food preferences for one resident upon admission, as required by its own policy. The policy states that the Dining Service Director or designee must complete a Food Preference Interview within 48 hours of admission to identify individual preferences for dining location, mealtimes, and food and beverage choices. For the resident in question, who was admitted with a diagnosis of Guillain-Barre Syndrome and had no cognitive impairment, there was no evidence in the electronic medical record or care plan that food preferences were obtained or included. The care plan only addressed the risk for weight loss, malnutrition, and dehydration, but did not specify any dietary or food preferences. During interviews, the resident reported dissatisfaction with the food, stating he could not eat it and believed he had lost weight as a result. The Registered Dietician confirmed that dietary preferences had not been reviewed or implemented for this resident and that the care plan did not include such information. The RD also indicated that nursing staff had not communicated any dietary preferences to her, and no additional information was provided prior to the survey exit.