Failure to Provide Palatable and Appropriately Tempered Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide meals that were palatable, attractive, and at an appetizing temperature for 7 of 11 residents reviewed for food service. Multiple residents reported dissatisfaction with the quality and temperature of the food, with specific complaints including cold meals, unappetizing appearance, and food items that were not properly cooked or were unidentifiable. Residents also reported that their dietary preferences and restrictions were not consistently honored, with some receiving foods they could not eat due to medical or personal reasons, despite having communicated these needs to the facility. Review of facility records and food committee meeting notes revealed ongoing concerns about food quality and temperature, including reports of hard squash, cold soups and beverages, undercooked hashbrowns, soggy toast, and tough meat. Resident interviews corroborated these findings, with several stating that meals were often cold, repetitive, and unappealing. One resident described receiving a meal that did not match their selected preferences, including being served pork despite a known intolerance, and another noted that their requests to avoid certain foods were not respected. A test tray evaluation conducted by the surveyor further confirmed the issues, with food items found to be lukewarm, bland, and visually unappealing. The chicken was described as extremely dry and tasteless, and the vegetables were dark and unappetizing. The Dietary Manager acknowledged past complaints about food temperature but was unaware of ongoing issues, and the Administrator stated that resident preferences and food temperatures were expected to be honored, with follow-up required when concerns were raised.