Meal trays not served together at the same table
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meal trays were served at the same time to residents seated at the same table. During a concurrent observation and interview, Resident 4, Resident 5, and Resident 6 were already seated together in the dining room while other residents at the same table had begun eating, but their trays had not yet been delivered. Resident 4 had diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy, restlessness and agitation, and unspecified dementia, and the MDS indicated severely impaired cognitive skills and moderate assistance with eating. Resident 5 had diagnoses including unspecified dementia, major depressive disorder, and anxiety disorder, with severely impaired cognitive skills and set up or clean-up assistance with eating. Resident 6 had diagnoses including metabolic encephalopathy, unspecified dementia, and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with severely impaired cognitive skills and moderate assistance with eating. At the time of the observation, Resident 4 was visibly agitated, yelled asking for food, and went out of the dining room looking for the meal tray. Resident 5 was observed with head down staring at the table while the resident in front of them asked staff where the food was. Resident 6 was visibly agitated, yelling, pointing at the table, and looking at other residents' food. The Infection Preventionist Nurse stated that the residents were not served while the others at the same table were already eating, and stated that failing to provide meals at the same time could negatively affect dignity. Resident 4 received the lunch tray 11 minutes after the other residents had started eating, and Resident 5 and Resident 6 each received their trays 9 minutes after the other residents had started eating. During interview, the DON stated licensed nurses should ensure residents at the same table are served at the same time, and acknowledged the facility failed to do so to maintain residents' dignity. The facility policy on Resident Rights stated residents shall be treated with kindness, respect, and dignity, and the Dignity policy stated residents are to be cared for in a manner that promotes well-being, self-worth, and self-esteem and are provided with a dignified dining experience.
Penalty
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