F0801

F

Lack of Onsite Registered Dietitian and Inadequate Oversight of Dietary Services

Eureka, California Survey Completed on 01-29-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to employ sufficient food and nutrition staff with appropriate competencies, specifically the lack of a dedicated onsite Registered Dietitian (RD) for a census of 87 residents. Surveyors identified multiple dietary and kitchen-related issues during the recertification survey, including recipes not being followed, a dumpster lid not being closed, and problems with kitchen sanitation, cleanliness, maintenance, equipment, and food storage. The Dietary Supervisor (DS) reported that one RD worked remotely, participating in weekly virtual meetings or email exchanges to discuss resident weight changes and diets, but did not physically come to the facility to assess residents’ nutritional status or consult on kitchen operations.

Interviews with the DS, Regional Consultant (RC), and Regional Registered Dietitian (RRD) confirmed that the last full-time onsite RD worked from March to June of the previous year and that the RRD’s visits were infrequent, with the last visit occurring earlier in the prior year and no set visitation schedule in place. The RC stated that an RD was required to be physically present at the facility once a week, but this did not occur. A review of training documentation showed that a kitchen training on IDDSI requirements was attended only by the DS and one cook, and job descriptions for both the facility RD and the Regional Dietitian outlined responsibilities such as overseeing clinical nutrition operations, inspecting food service areas, ensuring regulatory compliance, and conducting regular facility visits—duties that were not being fulfilled onsite as required. This lack of consistent onsite RD presence and oversight contributed to the identified deficiencies in dietary services and kitchen operations.