Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review during the Recertification Survey conducted from 04/29/2025 to 05/06/2025, the facility did not ensure that resident dietary preferences were followed. This was evident in 1 (Resident #137) of 2 residents reviewed for Food out of 37 total sampled residents. Specifically, Resident #137 was provided whole milk instead of their documented preference of lactose-free milk.
The findings are:
The facility's policy and procedure titled Menu and Preference Policy with a revised date of 03/2024 documented that menus shall meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, and be followed. Menus and available snacks shall be adjusted to meet individual caloric and nutrient-intake needs of the residents.
Resident #137 had diagnoses that included Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain Syndrome.
The Quarterly Minimum Data Set, dated [DATE] documented that Resident #137 had intact cognition and required setup and cleanup assistance with eating.
The Comprehensive Care Plan for Nutrition dated 12/31/2024 and reviewed on 03/19/2025 documented interventions which included identifying and honoring food preferences, providing diet and consistency as ordered, and monitoring laboratory results.
The Dietary Progress Note dated 04/23/2025 documented that the Registered Dietician spoke with Resident #137 about food preferences and the preferences were documented in the electronic note to include the resident's preference for lactose-free milk.
The Breakfast and Dinner Tickets for Resident #137 were reviewed and documented that from 04/25/2025 to 04/30/2025, Resident #137 received whole milk instead of lactose-free milk with their breakfast and dinner trays.
On 04/29/2025 at 9:59 AM, Resident #137 was interviewed and stated they have been receiving whole milk instead of lactose-free milk. They stated that they had informed the Registered Dietician of this discrepancy but continued to receive whole milk. An unopened carton of whole milk was observed on Resident #137's breakfast tray.
On 04/30/2025 at 11:00 AM, an unopened carton of whole milk was again observed on Resident #137's breakfast tray in their room.
On 04/30/2025 at 11:11 AM, the Director of Nursing was interviewed and stated that Certified Nursing Assistants were expected to monitor resident food intake and report any concerns to the nurse or dietary department.
On 04/30/2025 at 12:18 PM, Certified Nurse Assistant #3 was interviewed and stated they were aware that Resident #137 did not drink the milk that was served to them on their breakfast and lunch trays but because the resident had not complained to them about it, Certified Nursing Assistant #3 had not reported it to anyone.
On 05/01/2025 at 11:00 AM, the Registered Dietician was interviewed and stated that Resident #137 has preference for lactose-free milk. They stated that due to a technical error, the preference was not updated in their electronic medical system and that was why Resident #137 was still receiving whole milk. The Registered Dietician stated that if a resident is not consuming their meals, Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants working on the unit are expected to report those concerns to the Registered Dietician to follow up on. The Registered Dietician stated that staff had not reported this concern to them.
On 05/01/2025 at 11:08 AM, the Chief Clinical Dietician was interviewed and stated that Resident #137 was supposed to be receiving lactose-free milk. They stated that a human error occurred when entering the preference into the electronic medical system and that was why Resident #137 had not been receiving lactose-free milk.
10 NYCRR 415.14(c)(1-3)
The findings are:
The facility's policy and procedure titled Menu and Preference Policy with a revised date of 03/2024 documented that menus shall meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, and be followed. Menus and available snacks shall be adjusted to meet individual caloric and nutrient-intake needs of the residents.
Resident #137 had diagnoses that included Osteoarthritis and Chronic Pain Syndrome.
The Quarterly Minimum Data Set, dated [DATE] documented that Resident #137 had intact cognition and required setup and cleanup assistance with eating.
The Comprehensive Care Plan for Nutrition dated 12/31/2024 and reviewed on 03/19/2025 documented interventions which included identifying and honoring food preferences, providing diet and consistency as ordered, and monitoring laboratory results.
The Dietary Progress Note dated 04/23/2025 documented that the Registered Dietician spoke with Resident #137 about food preferences and the preferences were documented in the electronic note to include the resident's preference for lactose-free milk.
The Breakfast and Dinner Tickets for Resident #137 were reviewed and documented that from 04/25/2025 to 04/30/2025, Resident #137 received whole milk instead of lactose-free milk with their breakfast and dinner trays.
On 04/29/2025 at 9:59 AM, Resident #137 was interviewed and stated they have been receiving whole milk instead of lactose-free milk. They stated that they had informed the Registered Dietician of this discrepancy but continued to receive whole milk. An unopened carton of whole milk was observed on Resident #137's breakfast tray.
On 04/30/2025 at 11:00 AM, an unopened carton of whole milk was again observed on Resident #137's breakfast tray in their room.
On 04/30/2025 at 11:11 AM, the Director of Nursing was interviewed and stated that Certified Nursing Assistants were expected to monitor resident food intake and report any concerns to the nurse or dietary department.
On 04/30/2025 at 12:18 PM, Certified Nurse Assistant #3 was interviewed and stated they were aware that Resident #137 did not drink the milk that was served to them on their breakfast and lunch trays but because the resident had not complained to them about it, Certified Nursing Assistant #3 had not reported it to anyone.
On 05/01/2025 at 11:00 AM, the Registered Dietician was interviewed and stated that Resident #137 has preference for lactose-free milk. They stated that due to a technical error, the preference was not updated in their electronic medical system and that was why Resident #137 was still receiving whole milk. The Registered Dietician stated that if a resident is not consuming their meals, Nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants working on the unit are expected to report those concerns to the Registered Dietician to follow up on. The Registered Dietician stated that staff had not reported this concern to them.
On 05/01/2025 at 11:08 AM, the Chief Clinical Dietician was interviewed and stated that Resident #137 was supposed to be receiving lactose-free milk. They stated that a human error occurred when entering the preference into the electronic medical system and that was why Resident #137 had not been receiving lactose-free milk.
10 NYCRR 415.14(c)(1-3)