Failure to Provide Palatable and Appropriately Tempered Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food and drink provided to residents were palatable, attractive, and served at a safe and appetizing temperature. Observations revealed that residents experienced significant delays in meal service, with some residents waiting up to 43 minutes after the first tray was served to receive their meals. During this time, food items such as tomato soup were repeatedly served cold, and condiments were often missing from trays. One resident reported that his soup was cold on multiple occasions, even after staff attempted to reheat it, and ultimately declined further attempts to provide a hot meal. Another resident expressed dissatisfaction with the timeliness and quality of his meals, stating that food was often cold and condiments were not provided. Record reviews and interviews indicated that these issues were not isolated incidents. Resident council meeting notes documented ongoing complaints about food temperature, taste, and missing items, with residents reporting cold meals and incorrect orders. Staff interviews confirmed that the kitchen experienced operational issues, such as a malfunctioning microwave, which contributed to the inability to serve hot food. The dietary manager and kitchen supervisor acknowledged that meal tickets were disorganized and that equipment problems hindered their ability to provide meals at the appropriate temperature. Further review of care plans and assessments showed that the affected residents had specific dietary needs and required supervision or assistance with eating. Despite these needs, the facility did not consistently monitor or document food temperatures, as evidenced by missing entries in the food temperature log. The lack of timely and appropriate meal service, combined with repeated resident complaints and staff acknowledgment of the problems, demonstrated a failure to provide meals that met the required standards for palatability, appearance, and temperature.