Failure to Accommodate Cultural Food Preferences During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide food that accommodated the cultural preferences of two residents during meal service, specifically by not offering hot sauce or salsa with a Mexican-themed meal on Cinco de Mayo, despite resident requests. Both residents, one with a history of anemia, end stage renal disease, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, anxiety, cognitive communication deficit, and depression, and the other with hemiplegia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, expressed their desire for hot sauce to staff during meal times. Staff responses varied, with some stating that hot sauce was not available and others later providing it after additional effort. Interviews with staff revealed confusion and inconsistency regarding the process for obtaining food items to meet resident preferences. Some CNAs believed they were not allowed to approach the kitchen directly and relied on kitchen servers, while others stated there was no such restriction. The kitchen and dietary management indicated that hot sauce was available and that staff were expected to request items to meet resident preferences, but this information was not effectively communicated or implemented among all staff members. The lack of a clear and consistently followed process resulted in the residents not receiving their requested food items in accordance with their cultural preferences during a culturally significant meal. Facility policy indicated that menus could be adjusted based on resident desires, but this was not reflected in practice for these residents. The deficiency was identified through observation, interviews, and record review, highlighting a breakdown in communication and process adherence among staff regarding the accommodation of resident food preferences.