Failure to Provide Palatable, Appealing Meals at Appropriate Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that food and drink were palatable, visually appealing, and served at safe and appetizing temperatures for multiple residents. A family member of one resident reported multiple concerns about food quality and temperature. Several residents reported that the food was always cold, had declined in quality, or was gross. One resident stated they frequently had to ask CNAs to reheat their food, and that the CNAs did so reluctantly. During the annual survey’s resident council portion, numerous residents reported that the food was overcooked, hard, and did not taste good. Direct observation of a test tray for a breakfast meal with the Dietary Manager showed biscuits with sausage gravy, oatmeal, and orange juice that did not meet the facility’s own standards for meal service and distribution. The biscuit was extremely hard and required significant force with a spoon to cut. The sausage gravy was bland, lacked seasoning, and was only lukewarm at 145 degrees. The oatmeal had a thick paste-like texture and was served without milk, brown sugar, or other flavor enhancers. The Dietary Manager confirmed these findings at the time of observation. Review of the facility’s undated meal service and distribution policy showed that residents’ meals were supposed to be distributed promptly to maintain adequate temperature and appearance, which was not achieved in these instances.
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