Failure to Honor Resident Meal Preferences During Service
Penalty
Summary
During a lunchtime meal service, three residents did not receive their stated meal preferences as documented on their meal tickets. Specifically, two residents had requested baked potatoes and milk with their meals, while another resident preferred dessert and milk. These preferences were not honored during the observed meal service. Resident interviews confirmed that one resident consistently did not receive dessert or milk without specifically asking, another did not receive milk or condiments, and a third seldom received milk or the requested baked potato. A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) reviewed a meal ticket and was unable to explain why the baked potato was not served, indicating a lack of awareness or communication regarding resident preferences. Facility documentation stated that menus are to be served as written unless changes are made in response to resident preference, unavailability, or for special meals. Despite this policy, the observed meal service did not accommodate the residents' documented preferences, resulting in a failure to provide meals according to individual needs and requests.