Failure to Obtain and Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to obtain and honor a resident's food choices, as required by regulations supporting resident self-determination. The resident reported not being asked about their food preferences and stated that meals were provided without consideration of their likes or dislikes. The resident was also unaware of the Always Available menu and had not been informed about it. Interviews with staff revealed that the designated staff member responsible for collecting food preferences within 24 hours of admission had not completed this task, citing workload issues. The staff member also could not explain how the resident would know to request the daily menu or alternative options. A review of the resident's care plan showed that no food preferences were documented, and the facility's policy required dietary staff to visit new residents within 48 hours to introduce meal options and gather preferences. This process was not followed for the resident in question, and the resident was not provided with a Personal Choice Menu. The findings indicate that the facility did not follow its own procedures or regulatory requirements to ensure resident food choices were obtained and honored.