Insufficient Dietary Staffing Resulting in Delayed and Incomplete Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient dietary staff to perform essential kitchen duties, as evidenced by observations and staff interviews. On multiple occasions, only two or three staff members were present in the kitchen to serve 110 residents, and staff from housekeeping or environmental services were required to assist with meal service. Scheduled meal times were not met, with lunch tray lines starting late and trays being delivered up to 45 minutes past the scheduled time. Observations showed that residents were left waiting in the dining room for their meals, and staff reported that food carts were often late and that residents did not always receive all required items on their trays. Staff interviews confirmed that the delays and incomplete meal service were due to low staffing in the kitchen. An LPN reported having to provide cookies to residents who had already received insulin because of the late meal delivery, and noted that there was sometimes not enough silverware for residents at breakfast. The Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged that meal delays were a result of insufficient dietary staffing. These findings were in violation of the facility's own staffing policy and relevant state regulations.