Insufficient Dietary Staffing Leads to Delayed Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a sufficient number of staff in the food and nutrition service department, resulting in repeated delays in meal preparation and service. Observations revealed that only one dietary manager, one other staff member, and one dishwasher were present in the kitchen during meal preparation, which was not adequate to meet the posted mealtimes. Meals, including hall trays and main dining room service, were consistently delivered late, sometimes up to one hour and twenty minutes past the scheduled time. Residents reported that meals were regularly 1-2 hours late, and grievances regarding late meals were documented over several months. Interviews with the dietary manager, DON, and administrator confirmed that the delays were due to understaffing and high turnover in the kitchen staff. The dietary manager stated that the kitchen should have had one cook, one dishwasher, and two dietary aides per meal, but this staffing level was not met. The delays in meal service affected residents' medication schedules and activities of daily living, as confirmed by both staff and resident interviews. Facility policy required meals to be served within 45 minutes of the scheduled time, but this standard was not met.