Failure to Honor Resident Diet and Snack Preferences
Summary
The facility failed to ensure two sampled residents were permitted to make choices about their diets and snack preferences. Resident 89 had diagnoses including paranoid schizophrenia, was documented as cognitively intact for daily decision making, and was able to eat independently. Her records showed she was on a low-fat diet with regular-sized meal portions, and the RD documented goals of gradual weight loss and encouraged small portions and increased physical activity. Resident 89 told surveyors she wanted extra snacks such as a baloney sandwich or banana between meals, said she still felt hungry after lunch, and stated she was limited to one snack item at 8:00 p.m. She also reported that when she asked for more food, staff denied the request and told her to speak with the RD, who told her she was obese. During an interview, Resident 89 appeared fearful and nervous when trying to ask for a snack. Resident 89’s responsible party stated the facility never discussed her weight, nutritional status, or a planned weight loss program, and said he would not have agreed to Resident 89 being on a weight loss program. The RD stated she changed Resident 89’s care plan, including the low-fat diet and encouragement of weight loss, without notifying the responsible party and said she based the decision on her own judgment. The DON stated the RD was expected to notify responsible parties when there were plans to change a resident’s diet and that the responsible party had the right to accept or decline changes to the care plan. Resident 54 also had diagnoses including schizophrenia and obesity and was documented as cognitively intact. The record showed a low-fat diet order after abnormal triglyceride results, and care conference records indicated a case conference was held without the guardian present on one occasion and with email notification but no attendance on another occasion. The guardian stated she did not recall receiving notification of care conference meetings, had not participated in care planning since admission, and was unaware of the diet change and abnormal lab results. The DON stated the guardian was to be notified of all case conference meetings because she was actively providing input in care decisions, and RN 3 stated the facility could not locate records showing the guardian was notified of the meetings.
Penalty
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