Use of Styrofoam Meal Containers Undermining Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor resident dignity and self-determination by not implementing dignified feeding practices and by serving meals in Styrofoam containers on multiple occasions over several weeks. Facility policies stated that the environment must be safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable, and that paper products such as disposable plates, bowls, cups, and utensils were prohibited in dietary operations except in approved emergency situations, in part to support resident dignity. Despite this, residents reported that meals were served in Styrofoam containers at dinner on evenings and weekends, and that the food was often cold and unpalatable when served this way. Resident council and food committee minutes documented prior concerns that food was cold and sometimes hard. Multiple residents reported that they had been receiving meals in Styrofoam containers for the last few weeks, not only during a recent water issue but also at other times without explanation. Several residents stated that when meals were served in disposable containers, the food was cold, did not taste good, and in at least one case was considered not worthy of eating, leading that resident to order food from outside the facility instead. Nursing staff, including LPNs and CNAs, confirmed that evening and weekend meals had been served on Styrofoam quite a few times in recent weeks. Dietary staff reported that Styrofoam was sometimes used for dinner meals mainly due to staffing. The NHA and DON confirmed that Styrofoam containers had been used on occasion for residents’ meals over the past few weeks, contrary to the facility’s stated policy and contributing to resident dissatisfaction and concerns about dignity.
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