Failure to Provide Required Assistance with Meals for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident who was dependent on staff for activities of daily living (ADLs), including eating, did not receive the necessary assistance with breakfast. The resident had diagnoses of functional quadriplegia, dementia, and severe protein calorie malnutrition, and was assessed as having severely impaired cognition with a BIMS score of 3 out of 15. The resident's care plan specified total dependence on two staff members for eating. Despite these documented needs, the resident's breakfast tray was found untouched at the bedside, indicating that staff did not provide the required assistance. Interviews revealed that the resident's representative observed the untouched breakfast tray and reported it to the Director of Social Services, who confirmed the tray had not been touched and that the resident required staff assistance to eat. The Director of Nursing stated that residents needing meal assistance were identified on the CNA assignment sheet and that CNAs, nursing staff, and the DON were responsible for providing this assistance. However, in this instance, the necessary support was not provided, resulting in the resident not receiving help with their meal as required by their care plan.