Meal Service Dignity Failure
Summary
The facility failed to ensure dignity during meal service for 6 of 14 residents seated together in the main dining room. During a continuous observation of dining service, staff passed drinks and then left the room while 14 residents remained present. Several residents began yelling for lunch, asking for more to drink, requesting staff to wipe another resident’s face, and expressing concern that no staff were available to respond. One resident stated she was bored and wanted to return to her room, while another resident said he did not know whether he would be able to eat and wondered if any cooks had come to work that day. As meal carts arrived, trays were served inconsistently and not by table. One CNA served four trays to residents who ate slowly, including residents seated at separate tables, then removed the cart from the dining room. Residents seated with one another were left waiting while other residents were served from later carts. One resident repeatedly voiced concern about not receiving food and said he did not know if he would get any food that day. Another resident yelled that he just liked to complain. The last resident in question was served 22 minutes after tablemates had been served. Record review showed the affected residents had diagnoses including cerebral infarction, dementia with agitation, dysphagia, Parkinson’s disease with dyskinesia, vascular dementia, severe protein-calorie malnutrition, Alzheimer’s disease, adult failure to thrive, anxiety, depression, and generalized anxiety disorder. MDS assessments showed some residents were cognitively intact while others had severe cognitive impairment, and several required supervision, touching assistance, partial/moderate assistance, or total dependence with eating. The DON stated residents seated at the same table should be served within the next few minutes and should not have to wait long periods after others at their table had been served. The facility’s dignity policy stated meal trays should be served by table so residents do not experience long waits when others at their table have been served.
Penalty
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