Failure to Prepare Pureed Foods Appropriately and Provide Palatable Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food was prepared in a form designed to meet individual resident needs, specifically in the preparation of pureed foods. Observation revealed that a cook used water as the liquid to puree a cornbread muffin, rather than following a specific recipe or using appropriate liquids such as milk, butter, gravy, or broth as outlined by facility protocol. The cook was not adhering to established recipes, and the dietary manager (DM) confirmed that water should not be used for pureeing due to its lack of nutritional value. The DM also stated that he was unaware of the cook's actions and that all necessary supplies for proper pureeing were available. Multiple residents expressed dissatisfaction with the meals provided, citing issues such as lack of flavor, repetitive menu items, poor food quality, and unappetizing alternatives. Several residents reported not eating the facility meals due to these concerns, with some preferring to eat cereal or food brought by family members. Residents also noted that food was sometimes cold, tough, or poorly prepared, and that alternatives offered were not appealing or well-cooked. Interviews with staff revealed gaps in documentation and training practices. The DM stated that he receives training from the dietician and is responsible for training dietary staff, but in-service logs were not maintained or provided to the surveyor. The DM also acknowledged not inspecting food quality at delivery and not labeling returned items as required by policy. Facility dietary policies reviewed included requirements for proper food storage, prompt meal service, and documentation of food refusals and substitutions, but these were not consistently followed.