Failure to Provide Suitable and Nourishing Snacks Outside Scheduled Meal Times
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all residents had access to suitable and nourishing meals and snacks outside of scheduled meal service times. Record review showed that the facility's meal schedule included only breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with no designated snack time. Observations and interviews revealed that residents were not routinely offered snacks at bedtime, and some residents expressed a desire for snacks at night but were hesitant to request them directly. Specifically, two residents reported not receiving snacks at night and indicated they would like to be offered snacks when hungry outside of regular meal times. Interviews with facility staff, including the ADM, ADON, and Certified Dietary Manager, confirmed that snacks were primarily distributed to diabetic residents based on physician orders, with any remaining snacks given to those who requested them. Staff did not proactively offer snacks to all residents or visit each room to ensure residents had the opportunity to receive a snack. The facility's records indicated that only 39 out of 96 residents were listed for an evening snack, and the policy for snack distribution was requested but not provided at the time of the survey.