Failure to Provide Menu Variety and Meet Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that menus met the nutritional needs and preferences of residents, as well as to provide adequate variety in food options. Record reviews and interviews revealed that two residents expressed dissatisfaction with the repetitive inclusion of beans in their meals, with one resident specifically noting issues with constipation and diarrhea and requesting no beans on their tray. The facility's menu for a five-week period showed that beans were served in up to 10 out of 21 meals per week, including being served twice in a single day on multiple occasions. The facility's own policy emphasized the importance of providing a well-balanced and nutritious menu that meets resident preferences, but this was not reflected in practice. Additionally, the comprehensive care plan for one resident with a history of meal refusal addressed nutritional concerns, while another resident's care plan did not mention food intake or diet at all. Interviews with the Registered Dietitian (RD) and Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) confirmed awareness of the repetitive menu and acknowledged resident complaints, but also indicated that the menu had not been adjusted prior to the survey. The Administrator was unaware of the frequency of beans on the menu and stated that the menu had been reviewed before implementation. No other relevant menu policies were provided by the facility.