Failure to Prepare Pureed Food to Required Consistency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that pureed food was prepared to the appropriate consistency for two residents who required a pureed diet due to medical conditions such as chewing problems and being underweight. For one resident with a history of metabolic disorder, iron deficiency, paraplegia, and gastrostomy status, the dietary services supervisor had assessed the need for a pureed diet. However, during food preparation, pureed brussel sprouts were observed to contain pea-sized chunks and were not smooth in appearance, which did not meet the required consistency for a pureed diet. Staff interviews and a review of the facility's recipe and policy confirmed that pureed foods should be smooth, lump-free, and meet the Spoon Tilt Test standard. The staff member preparing the food acknowledged that the brussel sprouts needed more broth and additional blending time to achieve the correct texture. The facility's policy and recipe both specified that pureed foods must eliminate the chewing phase and be free of lumps, but these standards were not followed during the observed preparation, resulting in food that did not meet the dietary needs of the residents.