Salt Added to Renal Diet Meal Contrary to Physician Order
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) added salt to the meal of a resident who was prescribed a renal diet, which specifically required no added salt. During a meal observation, the CNA offered the resident salt and pepper, and upon the resident's nonverbal agreement, proceeded to add salt to the meal. Review of the resident's meal ticket indicated a renal diet with 'LS' noted, which the CNA incorrectly interpreted as 'low salt' and believed it was appropriate to add salt. However, interviews with the Registered Dietician and Dietary Manager clarified that 'LS' stands for 'low sugar' and that no salt should be added to meals for residents on a renal diet. Facility policy also specified that no salt packets or salt should be provided for such therapeutic diets. This action resulted in the resident not receiving their prescribed diet as ordered by the physician.