Failure to Provide Timely Meal Service Due to Insufficient Dietary Staffing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ sufficient staff in the food and nutrition service department, resulting in meals not being served at the posted mealtimes. Observations over several days showed that meal trays for long-term care residents were consistently delivered late to both hallways and the main dining room, with some meals being served up to two hours after the scheduled time. Eight residents interviewed confirmed that meals were regularly late, which also caused delays in scheduled activities. The posted meal times were not adhered to, and grievances regarding late meals were filed by residents over several consecutive months. Interviews with the Dietary Manager (DM), Director of Nursing (DON), and Administrator (ADMN) confirmed that meal service was delayed due to understaffing and high turnover in the kitchen staff. The DM stated that the kitchen was operating with fewer staff than required, which directly impacted the timeliness of meal service. Both the DON and ADMN acknowledged that late meals affected residents' medication schedules and activities of daily living, such as showers and incontinent care. Facility policy required meals to be provided within 45 minutes of the scheduled time or resident request, but this standard was not met.