F0584

D

Inappropriate Use of Styrofoam Dishware for Resident Meal Service

Tabor, Iowa Survey Completed on 03-04-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a homelike environment and maintain resident dignity by routinely serving meals on Styrofoam plates and bowls without an appropriate reason. A resident with a BIMS score of 12, indicating moderate cognitive impairment, reported that evening staff served most meals on Styrofoam and that she disliked this practice and did not know why actual plates were not used. Staff interviews revealed that one evening cook regularly used Styrofoam for room trays and an assisted dining room, despite there being no dish machine malfunction or other valid reason. This cook acknowledged there was no real reason for using Styrofoam and admitted to having been previously instructed that meals were supposed to be served on regular plates and bowls.

Additional staff confirmed that residents had complained about meals being served on Styrofoam and identified the same evening cook as the one using disposable dishware. The Certified Dietary Manager stated that she had previously held a sit-down discussion with this cook about the inappropriate use of Styrofoam and that he had acknowledged understanding not to use it for routine meal service, yet he admitted to continued use. Review of the facility’s Disposable Dishware Use Policy and Meal Delivery / Room Trays policy showed that reusable dishware was required for routine meal service, and that disposable dishware was only permitted under specific conditions such as infection control needs, emergency situations, special events, or individualized care plan needs. The continued use of Styrofoam for regular meal service, including room trays, occurred outside of these policy-defined circumstances and was identified by the CDM as a dignity issue.