Uncovered Food and Beverages Served to Residents in Rooms
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to serve food and beverages to residents in accordance with professional standards and facility policy, which requires that prepared food be transported in covered containers. Observations revealed that meal trays delivered to residents' rooms contained uncovered dessert items and beverages. Specifically, a resident received a lunch tray with an uncovered bowl of chocolate cake and coffee without a lid, which had been prepared at the nurses' station and carried down the hallway uncovered. During breakfast service, staff were observed pouring beverages such as orange juice, coffee, and milk into cups and glasses at the nurses' station and then transporting them uncovered to residents' rooms. Interviews with the District Dietary Manager confirmed that the expectation is for all food and beverages transported from the cart down the hall to be covered, and that individual beverage containers should be opened and poured in the resident's room. Despite this, multiple staff members, including CNAs, RNs, and other personnel, were observed passing trays with uncovered items to residents in their rooms. The deficiency potentially affected 45 of 67 residents who eat their meals in their rooms.