Failure to Provide Homelike Dining Environment Due to Use of Plastic Utensils
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified that the facility failed to provide a homelike dining environment when serving meals with disposable plastic utensils instead of standard silverware. During a lunch observation on 2/8/2026, meals on A Hall and B Hall were delivered on trays from food carts, and each tray included only disposable plastic utensils. CNA R reported that disposable plastic utensils often came on the trays and explained that sometimes meal trays sat near the kitchen door in the dining room and did not get washed in time for the next meal. During a breakfast observation on 2/9/2026, meals were again delivered on trays from food carts, and on A Hall each tray included regular forks and spoons but plastic disposable knives. In an interview on 2/11/2026, the Food Service Manager (Staff C) stated that trays went down the hall and did not come back in time to be washed for the next meal, and he believed residents were keeping the silverware. Staff C acknowledged he was aware disposable plastic utensils were being used and that he had not ordered any more silver utensils. In a confidential group interview on 2/9/2026, five residents expressed frustration with the plastic cutlery used at mealtimes, with one resident stating that a plastic knife would not cut the meat. A complaint submitted to the State Agency on 12/29/2025 also reported that meals were never adequately served due to limited utensils. The facility’s policy on Residents’ Rights and Quality of Life, reviewed 1/1/2022, stated that all residents have the right to a dignified existence.
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