Failure to Implement Individualized Nutrition Care Plan After Dental Extraction
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a complete and individualized care plan for a resident who had recently undergone full dental extraction and was awaiting dentures. The resident expressed concerns about weight loss and difficulty eating due to the lack of teeth. Despite these concerns, the care plan interventions, which included honoring food choices, monitoring food intake, offering substitutes for refused foods, and updating food preferences, were not fully carried out. The resident reported receiving repetitive meals such as sandwiches and chicken soup, which were difficult to eat, and was unaware of alternative food options available to him. Record reviews showed that the resident was not included in the weekly weight monitoring for two consecutive months, and his meal intake consistently remained below 75%. The care plan lacked a specific goal weight, making it difficult to assess whether nutritional goals were being met. Documentation confirmed a one-pound weight loss over the period in question, and the resident's meal ticket did not reflect his updated food preferences. These findings indicate that the facility did not ensure the care plan was effectively implemented to address the resident's nutritional needs following his dental procedure.