Failure to Provide Timely Feeding Assistance to Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a dependent resident received necessary assistance with eating to promote adequate nutrition. The resident had been re-admitted with a diagnosis including malnutrition and was documented in an OT evaluation as being dependent with eating. A facility nutrition assessment also documented that the resident required full assistance with feeding. Despite these documented needs, during a lunch meal observation, staff actions did not provide timely feeding assistance. On the observed day, a staff member entered the resident’s room and placed the food tray on an overbed table that was standing against the wall, then left the room without assisting the resident. Shortly afterward, a CNA entered the room, attempted to shut the door, and stated she was going to feed the resident, but then left the room and did not return while the surveyor remained to observe. During this period, the resident stated, "I am very hungry" when asked if she was alright. Several minutes later, an LPN/unit manager entered, moved the overbed table across the bed, set up the food tray, uncovered the food items, and began offering the meal. In a subsequent interview, the LPN stated that the CNA should have attended to the resident and assisted her with lunch instead of leaving the room in haste.
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