Failure to Provide Adequate Protein and Juice Portions as Specified in Menu
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide residents with the appropriate portion sizes of protein and juice as specified in the facility's menu and as required to meet residents' nutritional needs. Observations and interviews revealed that multiple residents received less than the required 3 ounces of ham for lunch, with some receiving only one slice weighing 2.3 ounces, and substitute turkey sandwiches containing only 2 slices of deli meat and one slice of cheese, which did not provide an equivalent amount of protein. Additionally, breakfast trays included only half-filled cups of orange juice, and residents reported that the juice was watered down. Staff confirmed that ice was added to juice containers before serving, further diluting the juice. Residents expressed dissatisfaction with the portion sizes, stating they were still hungry and that their families had to bring additional food. The facility's dietitian confirmed that the menu required 3 ounces of ham and 6 ounces of orange juice to meet dietary requirements, and that substitute items should be nutritionally comparable to the main entree. The dietary aide and interim dietary manager acknowledged inconsistencies in portion sizes and preparation, with pre-sliced ham of varying thickness and sandwiches prepared the day before. Facility policy required menus to be developed according to national guidelines and reviewed by a dietitian to ensure residents' nutritional needs were met, but these standards were not followed, resulting in insufficient food portions for the majority of residents reviewed.