Failure to Provide Substantial and Routine Snacks Between Meals
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide nourishing and substantial snacks to residents when substantial meals were scheduled 14 hours apart. Multiple residents reported during a group interview that snacks were not routinely offered, were not substantial, and often consisted only of chips, snack cakes, cookies, or crackers, with no sandwiches, fruits, or drinks available. Some residents stated that snacks were only available if specifically requested, and that the snack room was not monitored, leading to some residents taking more than their share and others not receiving any. One resident noted that diabetic-appropriate snacks or snacks containing protein were never provided. Observations confirmed that snacks were kept in locked nourishment kitchens and were not passed individually to residents; only chips, cheese puffs, and Chex mix were available, with no drinks, sandwiches, or other substantial food items present. Interviews with staff revealed that snacks were delivered with the supper cart and typically included chips, snack cakes, and occasionally bananas or sandwiches, though sandwiches were rarely provided. Staff did not routinely pass snacks to all residents, instead only providing them upon request due to the nourishment kitchen being locked. The dietary manager and DON both stated that bedtime snacks should be passed to all residents and should be of substantial nutritive value and variety, while the registered dietitian specified that snacks should contain protein, carbohydrate, and fat, such as milk, a sandwich, or fruit. Despite these expectations, the facility's practice did not align with policy or professional standards, resulting in residents not consistently receiving appropriate snacks.