Failure to Document and Follow Up on Resident Council Food Temperature Complaints
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to document and communicate its efforts to address concerns raised in Resident Council meetings, specifically regarding repeated complaints of cold food. Review of Resident Council minutes from three meetings showed only "open discussion" with no recorded concerns about cold food, despite multiple residents reporting that such concerns were voiced. There was no written evidence from December 2025 through February 2026 demonstrating the facility’s response to grievances or recommendations made by the Resident Council. One cognitively intact resident, serving as Resident Council President, reported that during the February Resident Council meeting she complained about cold food, specifically grits that were not warm enough for cheese to melt. She stated the Activities Director told her the concern would be addressed with the Dietary Manager but did not specify when, and the Resident Council never received any follow-up from either the Dietary Manager or the Activities Director. Another cognitively intact resident reported attending Resident Council meetings regularly and stated she had voiced concerns on several occasions, including during the January meeting, about cold food at breakfast and dinner. She reported submitting a verbal complaint to the Activities Director and was told the concern would be looked into, but she did not receive any grievance response or follow-up. A third cognitively intact resident reported regularly receiving cold breakfast meals and that breakfast was often served late, and stated these concerns were discussed during the December, January, and February Resident Council meetings. The Activities Assistant, who supported Resident Council meetings, stated the Activities Director was responsible for documenting resident concerns and acknowledged hearing concerns about cold coffee and food months earlier, but was unsure if they were documented or if a Resident Council grievance form was completed. The Activities Director confirmed she led the meetings and was responsible for the minutes, acknowledged hearing occasional concerns about cold food, and stated she verbally notified department heads and the Administrator but did not document concerns in the minutes or through the grievance process because she was unaware documentation was required. The Administrator stated he was aware of cold food concerns the prior year and that concerns after Resident Council meetings were addressed verbally, not in writing.
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