Failure to Honor Resident Food Preferences During Meal Service
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's food preferences were honored during meal service. Despite documentation in the resident's Dietary Profile and Meal Ticket indicating dislikes for orange juice and hot cereal, these items were included on the resident's breakfast tray. The resident, who was cognitively intact and able to express her preferences, reported the issue to a CNA, who removed the orange juice but left the hot cereal. The Dietary Services Supervisor later confirmed that the tray still contained hot cereal, which was on the resident's dislike list. A review of the facility's policy and procedure on Dining and Food Preferences indicated that residents who refuse certain foods should be offered alternative selections of comparable nutritive value. The Registered Dietitian confirmed that the policy was not followed in this instance, as the resident received food items she had specifically indicated she disliked. This failure resulted in the resident feeling angry and distressed, and constituted a violation of her rights.