Failure to Follow Standardized Recipes for Pureed Diets
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that standardized recipes were followed during the preparation of pureed meals for residents requiring such diets. Observations revealed that staff members prepared pureed chicken and potatoes without referencing or using the standardized recipes provided by the facility. One staff member blended diced chicken with an unspecified amount of water and a slice of bread, resulting in a mixture that was not smooth and did not match the facility's recipe, which required specific amounts of chicken, chicken base, and water. The same staff member also prepared pureed potatoes without knowing or measuring the amount of water added. Another staff member prepared pureed carrots with added bread, which was not included in the facility's standardized recipe for that dish. In some instances, recipes were not present during meal preparation, and staff relied on personal experience rather than following written instructions. Interviews with dietary staff and management confirmed that recipes were not consistently used or followed during meal preparation. The Dietary Manager acknowledged that cooks should reference recipes and was unable to locate a recipe for mashed potatoes. The Regional Dietary Manager and the Administrator both stated that recipes are available in the kitchen and are expected to be followed as written to ensure proper nutrition for residents. The facility had eight residents on pureed diets at the time of the survey, and the census was 112.