Unpalatable and Poorly Prepared Coffee Served to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide palatable coffee to residents during meals, as evidenced by multiple resident complaints and direct observations. Several residents described the coffee as tasting and looking like brown water, with one resident showing a cup of translucent, light brown liquid that had been served as coffee. Additional residents reported that the coffee smelled rancid, tasted burnt, or was undrinkable. During breakfast service, an LPN sampled the coffee and described it as unusually dark, thick, and resembling sludge. Another sample poured by a dietary aide was noted to be very light and translucent. These observations were consistent across several days and involved multiple residents. Further investigation revealed that instant coffee, purchased from a store, was used to brew the coffee instead of the usual product. Packages of instant coffee were observed on the kitchen counter next to the brewing machine, and dietary staff confirmed its use for breakfast service. The facility's policy requires food and drink to be prepared and served in a manner that preserves palatability, but the coffee served did not meet these standards, as confirmed by both staff and administrative sampling.