Failure to Serve Palatable Food at Safe Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide appetizing food at palatable and safe temperatures for residents receiving food and nutrition services. One resident with dementia and weakness, who was cognitively intact, used a wheelchair, and was on a regular therapeutic diet, reported that the food was horrible and always cold. Another cognitively intact resident with diabetes mellitus, cerebral infarction, and COPD, who also used a wheelchair and was on a carbohydrate-controlled diet, stated that some of the food was terrible and that they would not even give that food to a dog. During observation of a meal service, food temperatures were taken with a calibrated metal thermometer after the last resident tray was served. The chicken measured 118°F and the broccoli casserole measured 114°F, while the cook stated the temperature should be around 170°F. The dietary manager later stated that the temperatures may have been lower because they were taken at the end of service. Two LPNs reported that the food is always cold and that nurse aides always have to rewarm residents’ food in the microwave. The administrator stated she expects dietary staff to follow the facility’s undated Food Temperatures Policy, which requires food to be held at 135°F or greater throughout the service process.
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