Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews and record reviews, the facility failed to ensure each resident received and the facility provided food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences; appealing options of similar nutritive value to residents who choose not to eat food that is initially served or who request a different meal choice for eight (Resident #, 57, Resident #32, Resident #9, Resident #48, Resident #30, Resident #3, Resident #14, and Resident #34) of nine residents reviewed for resident food preferences.
The facility failed to ensure Residents #57, #32, #9, #48, #3, #30, #14 and #34 received their preferred meal choice.
This failure placed residents at risk for not having their nutritional needs met and a decreased quality of life.
Findings include:
1. Record review of Resident # 57's face sheet dated 12/30/2022 revealed resident was a 57 -year-old female admitted to facility on 11/14/2022 had diagnosis muscle weakness generalized (lack of muscle strength), moderate protein-calorie malnutrition (deficiency of energy, protein and micronutrients), resident had surgery on her teeth after admission, and, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood ( feel hopeless and sadder than would be expected after a stressful event such as moving, loss of relationship and/or severe illness)
Record review of Resident # 57's admission MDS assessment dated [DATE] revealed Resident #57 had a BIMS score of 9 indicating resident's cognition was moderately impaired. Resident was assessed to have feelings of being depressed, or hopeless, trouble falling asleep or sleeping and was tired or had little energy 12-14 days during the assessment period. Resident felt bad about herself and had difficulty concentrating on things such as reading the newspaper or watching television 2-6 days during assessment period. Resident did not require any assistance with ADL's.
Record review of Resident #57's Comprehensive Care Plan initiated on 11/18/2022 and revised on 12/12/2022 reflected resident had osteoarthritis and muscle spasms. Intervention: encourage adequate nutrition and hydration. Encourage resident to maintain weight in a normal range for height. Resident had hyperlipidemia which needed monitoring and treatment. Intervention included: encourage resident to avoid fried foods, fatty foods, greasy foods, and foods high in cholesterol. Resident had ADL self -care performance deficit. Intervention included: assist resident with meals as needed. Set up meal tray, open beverages, cut foods, provide assistance as needed. If 50 percent or less was eaten, offer substitute. Provide finger foods when the resident has difficulty using utensils. Provide milkshakes or liquid food supplements when the resident refused or has difficulty with solid food or provide foods that can be taken from a cup or a mug where appropriate. Provide menu with alternative selection daily. Assist with making choices appropriate to menu options. Care plan reflected resident had dietary concern: clinical conditions demonstrate that maintenance of acceptable nutritional status may not be possible due to potential for decreased appetite with poor meal intake, potential for unplanned weight loss: Offer alternative if resident consumes 75 percent or less of meal. (The other interventions were the same as stated in the above plan).
In an interview with Resident #57 on 12/28/2022 during Resident Group Meeting at 10:00 AM -11:15 AM, resident stated if she did not like the meal and said something to a nursing assistant or a nurse, they would ask the staff in the kitchen for something else to eat. The nursing staff would return to her room and would inform her the only food available would be some type of soup or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. She stated sometimes it would be a grill cheese and she would request grill cheese and it would be so greasy she could not eat it. She stated she would find another resident with some snacks. She stated she was never informed of an alternate menu. She stated the nursing staff would say all the kitchen ever had been soup and a sandwich. She stated she was not provided with an alternate menu and never saw one posted anywhere in the facility.
2. Record review of Resident #32's face sheet dated 12/30/22 reflected a [AGE] year-old male admitted to the facility on [DATE] with a diagnosis generalized muscle weakness (lack of muscle strength), muscle wasting and atrophy, multiple sites ( decrease in size and wasting of muscle tissue), lack of coordination ( coordination impairment or loss of coordination), limitation of activities due to disability ( dimension of health/disability capturing long- standing limitation in performing usual activities due to health problems), unspecified osteoarthritis ( affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine) and need assistance with personal care.
Record review of Resident #32's Quarterly MDS dated [DATE] reflected Resident had a BIMS score of 15 indicating his cognition was intact. Resident required supervision with one-person physical assist with eating. Resident was at risk for pressure ulcers/injuries.
Record review of Resident #32's Comprehensive Care Plan assessment dated [DATE] reflected resident had Gerd. Interventions: will avoid foods or beverages that tend to irritate my esophageal lining, alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, acidic or spicy foods, fried or fatty foods. Resident was on pain medication related to history of osteoarthritis and contractures. Resident has Osteoarthritis. Intervention: encourage adequate nutrition and hydration. Monitor/ document/report to MD as needed complications related to arthritis: joint pain, joint stiffness, swelling and decline in self-care ability. Dietary Concerns
Intervention: explain and reinforce to me the importance of maintaining the diet ordered. Encourage me to comply. Explain consequences of refusal, obesity/malnutrition factors. Monitor when I appear concerned during meals. I have hyperlipidemia which needs monitoring and treatment. Intervention included: encourage me to avoid fried foods, fatty foods, greasy foods, and foods high in cholesterol. Resident had an ADL self -care performance. Intervention: Serve diet per MD orders. If eat 50 percent or less offer substitute. Monitor for tolerance of diet served. Provide finger foods when the resident has difficulty using utensils. Provide milkshakes or liquid food supplements when the resident refuses or had difficulty with solid food or provide nutritious food that can be taken from a cup or a mug where appropriate.
In an interview with resident #32 on 12/28/2022 during Resident Group Meeting from 10:00 AM- 11:15 AM, resident stated when you ask for something else to eat, if you could not eat your meal, the nurses would go to the kitchen and would return and ask him if he wanted soup or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a grill cheese sandwich. He stated he was so tired of soup and sandwiches he could scream. He stated the grill cheese sandwich was so greasy he could not eat it. He stated he was tired of those sandwiches. He did say one time they sent him some soup with 4 slices of cucumbers on the side, when he did not like the meal. He also stated he was never provided with a menu of substitutes or a menu of what they were being served each meal. He stated he did not see any menu posted of an alternate or what they were having for any meal in the facility. Resident # 57, Resident # 3, Resident #9, Resident # 48, Resident # 34, Resident #30, Resident # 14 all agreed with Resident #32's statement.
3. Record Review of Resident # 9's face sheet dated 12/30/2022 reflected Resident #9 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] and readmitted on [DATE] with diagnosis muscle wasting and atrophy, multiple sites (the decrease in size and wasting of muscle tissue. May lose 20-40 percent of their muscle and, along with it, their strength), muscle weakness (when your full effort doesn't produce a normal muscle concentration or movement) hyperlipidemia (your blood has too many lipids (or fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides and gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis (occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach)
Record Review of Resident # 9's Quarterly MDS assessment dated [DATE] reflected resident had a BIMS score of 13 indicated her cognition was intact. Resident had little energy 7-11 days during assessment period. Resident required set up with meals. Resident has unhealed pressure ulcer.
Record Review of Resident #9's Comprehensive Care Plan dated 12/12/2022 reflected Resident had hyperlipidemia. Intervention: Encourage me to avoid fried foods, fatty foods, greasy foods, and foods with high cholesterol. Resident had GERD. Intervention: Resident will avoid foods or beverages that tend to irritate my esophageal lining such as alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, acidic or spicy foods, fried or fatty foods. Resident was at risk for malnutrition. Intervention: determine food preferences and avoid dislikes. Monitor/document/report to MDS as needed for signs/ symptoms of dysphagia: pocketing, choking, coughing, drooling, holding food in mouth, several attempts at swallowing, refusing to eat and appears concerned during meals. Resident was also assessed to have dietary concerns. Clinical conditions demonstrate that maintenance of acceptable nutritional status may not be possible due to potential for decreased appetite with poor meal intake, potential for unplanned weight loss. Interventions: Provide menu with alternative selection daily. Assist with making choices appropriate to menu options. Provide adaptive equipment as recommended to assists in self feeding. Assist resident with meals as needed. Set up meal tray, open beverages, cut foods and provide assistance as needed.
In an interview with Resident #9 during Resident Group Meeting on 12/28/2022 at 10:00 AM- 11:15 AM stated where she lived in a nursing home prior to being admitted to this facility, if you asked for a substitute meal, they would give you another meat and vegetables, bread, and dessert. She stated at this facility, you get either a greasy grill cheese sandwich wrapped in cellophane, or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich wrapped in cellophane and sometimes soup. She stated that was all they had to offer for substitute. She stated resident # 9 was correct about serving soup with 4 slices of cucumber. She stated she took a picture of it. She stated there were times the soup was so greasy that it had a film of grease on top of the soup and couldn't see what type of soup you were eating. She stated it was disgusting what they serve as alternate. She stated she did not need the soup due to so much sodium. She also stated what if a someone lives here was a diabetic, they did not need peanut butter and jelly or a greasy grill cheese. She stated the food that was offered to them as a substitute is what she would get at other facilities as a snack not a meal. She stated no one has ever given them a menu of what the substitute is for each meal or given them a regular menu. She stated if you ask the nursing staff, they will say it will be some type of soup and/ or a sandwich. She stated that would be correct because the kitchen did not offer anything else for substitute meal. Resident # 57, Resident # 9, Resident # 48, Resident # 34, Resident #30, Resident #3, Resident # 14 all agreed with Resident #32.
4. Record review of Resident #48's face sheet reflected resident was a [AGE] year-old female admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnosis adult failure to thrive ( a syndrome of weight loss, decreased in appetite and poor nutrition, and inactivity, often accompanied by dehydration, impaired immune function and low cholesterol), hyperlipidemia (your blood has too many lipids or fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides), and gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis (occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach), unspecified osteoarthritis, unspecified site ( the most common form of arthritis mainly affects joints in hands, knees, hips and spine), and personal history of other diseases of the digestive system (any health problem that occurs in the digestive tract).
Record review of Resident # 48's Quarterly MDS assessment dated [DATE] reflected resident had a BIMS score of 11 reflecting her cognition was moderately impaired. Resident had very little energy 2-6 days during assessment period. Resident required set up with eating. Resident wears glasses.
Record review of Resident #48's Comprehensive Care Plan dated 10/17/2022 reflected resident had vision problems. Resident had hyperlipidemia. Intervention: Encourage to avoid fried foods, fatty foods, greasy foods, and foods high in cholesterol. Resident at risk for malnutrition. Intervention: determine food preferences and avoid dislikes. Clinical conditions demonstrate that maintenance of acceptable nutritional status may not be possible due to, receives therapeutic and mechanically altered diet. Intervention: Assist resident with meals as needed. Set up meal tray, open beverages, cut foods, provide assistance as needed. Provide menu with alternative selection daily. Assist with making choice appropriate to menu options. Speak with resident about food preferences.
In an interview with Resident #48 during Resident Group Meeting on 12/28/2022 at 10:00 AM-11:15 AM Resident stated she would sometimes ask for something else to eat, and it would always be a sandwich or soup; sometimes it would be a sandwich and a soup. She stated it was always peanut butter and jelly or grill cheese that had too much butter on it and could not eat it. She stated the nurses would tell her that was all the kitchen had to offer if she did not want what was her meal tray. Resident's # 57, #32, #9, #30, #3, #34 and #14 all agreed.
5. Record review of Resident #30's face sheet dated 12/30/2022 reflected an [AGE] year-old female admitted to the facility on [DATE] with a diagnosis rheumatoid arthritis, unspecified (your immune system attacks healthy cells in your body by mistake, causing inflammation- painful swelling-in the affected parts of the body. Mainly attacks the joints, usually more than one joint at once), hyperlipidemia (your blood has too many lipids or fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides), and gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis (occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach), unspecified age related cataract 9 when the lens, a small transparent disc inside your eye, develops cloudy patches may cause blurry, misty vision and eventually blindness), muscle weakness ( when you full effort doesn't produce a normal muscle contraction or movement) and type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic chronic kidney disease ( a high level of sugar in your blood can cause problems in many parts of your body. This can lead to kidney disease).
Record review of Resident #30's Quarterly MDS assessment dated on 10/29/2022 reflected resident had a BIMS score of 15 indicated her cognition was intact. Resident required set up with eating.
Record review of Resident #30's Comprehensive Care Plan dated 11/03/2022 reflected resident had impaired vision related to diagnosis of cataracts. Intervention: Monitor/document/report ability to perform ADL's. Resident had diabetes mellitus and use of insulin. Intervention: Monitor compliance of diet and document any problems. Offer substitutes for foods not eaten. Dietary Concern: Clinical conditions demonstrates that maintenance of acceptable nutritional status may not be possible due to potential for unplanned weight loss and at risk for malnutrition. Interventions: Assist resident with meals as needed. Set up meal tray, open beverages, cut foods, provide assistance as needed. Provide menu with alternative selection daily. Assist with making choices appropriate to menu options. Speak with resident about food preferences.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 at 10:00 AM- 11:15 AM Resident #30 stated she had asked for something else to eat when she didn't like what was being served for that meal. She stated she was a diabetic and she was told by the nurses the only food the kitchen had for her was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a grill cheese and sometimes they would say soup. She stated being a diabetic she couldn't eat any of the food they had to offer her. She stated she would try to eat what was on her meal tray but sometimes she just couldn't eat it. She stated she no one had given her any type of menu of what they were having for their meals or what they could get if they did not like their meals. She stated it had been a while since her food preferences had been updated. Resident's # 57, #32, #9, #48, #3, #34 and #14 all agreed.
6. Record review of Resident #3's face sheet dated 12/29/2022 reflected a [AGE] year-old female admitted to the facility on [DATE] and readmitted on [DATE] with diagnosis unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition ( a disorder caused by lack of proper nutrition or an inability to absorb nutrients from food), muscle weakness ( when you full effort doesn't produce a normal muscle contraction or movement), gastro-esophageal reflux disease without esophagitis (occurs when stomach acid repeatedly flows back into the tube connecting your mouth and stomach), muscle wasting and atrophy, multiple sites (the decrease in size and wasting of muscle tissue. May lose 20-40 percent of their muscle and, along with it, their strength), and unspecified lack of coordination (coordination impairment or loss of coordination).
Record review of Resident #3's Significant Change MDS dated [DATE] reflected resident had a BIMS score of 13 indicated her cognition was intact. Resident required set up with eating. Resident was not assessed to have any weight loss.
Record review of Resident #3's Comprehensive Care Plan dated 12/27/2022 reflected resident had oral/dental problems related to missing teeth/partial. Resident had an ADL self -care performance deficit. Resident feeds self. If resident eats less than 50 percent or less was eaten, offer substitute. Monitor tolerance to diet served. Provide finger foods when the resident had difficulty using utensils.
Interview on 12/28/2022 during Resident Group Meeting between 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Resident # 3 stated she agreed with everyone else in the group. She stated when she asked for something else to eat, it was always some type of soup and there were times she had no idea what kind of soup. She stated it had some type of film or something on top of it and she stated the sandwiches were always peanut butter and jelly or grill cheese. She stated she was tired of the same thing being offered to her if she did not like what was on her plate. She stated what everyone was saying in this meeting is true about everything in the kitchen.
7. Record review of Resident #14's face sheet dated 12/30/2022 reflected a [AGE] year-old male admitted to the facility on [DATE] and readmitted on [DATE] with a diagnosis: type 2 diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia (occurs with a person's blood sugar elevates to potentially dangerous levels that require medical treatment), muscle weakness ( when you full effort doesn't produce a normal muscle contraction or movement), hemiplegia and hemiparesis following unspecified cerebrovascular disease affecting left non-dominate side ( hemiplegia is defined as paralysis of partial or total body function on one side of the body, hemiparesis is characterized by one-sided weakness, but without complete paralysis), iron deficiency, anemia unspecified ( happens when your body doesn't have enough iron to make hemoglobin, a substance in your red blood cell that allows them to carry oxygen throughout your body) and mixed hyperlipidemia ( a condition in which levels of certain lipids ( fats) in the blood are higher than they should be- risk factors for cardiovascular disease).
Record review of Resident #14's Significant Change MDS dated [DATE] reflected resident had a BIMS score of 14 indicated his cognition was intact. Resident required supervision and one-person physical assist with eating. Resident did not have any weight loss.
Record review of Resident #14's Comprehensive Care Plan dated 12/12/2022 reflected resident required assistance with setting up meals and supervision of one person. Resident was on regular diet. Intervention: Resident had difficulty to eat certain meats and prefers skinless sausage and no dried meats.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 during Resident Group Meeting at 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM, Resident # 14 stated long time ago, if you did not like what they were having for lunch or supper, you could get another meal with meat, vegetables, bread, and dessert. He stated now, they will give you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or a grill cheese sandwich and sometimes soup to go with it. He stated he was told by the Dietary Manager, they did not have to serve another full meal as a substitute, they could serve a sandwich or some soup. He stated he was tired of all the mess in the kitchen. He stated the nursing staff will say they will go and ask the kitchen staff what they are having but they will tell him you know what they will say it will be sandwich and soup. He stated he did not receive any type of menu or a substitute menu. He stated he had not seen one in the facility. He stated there was something scribbled on a board in the kitchen last week but he could not read it. All residents in the meeting agreed to not being able to read the board in the kitchen that has something scribbled on it.
8. Record review of Resident # 34's face sheet reflected a [AGE] year-old female admitted to the facility on [DATE] with a diagnosis cerebrovascular disease, unspecified ( a group of conditions that affect the blood flow and the blood vessels in the brain), type 2 diabetes mellitus without complications ( is a chronic disease that causes a person's blood glucose levels to rise too high), muscle wasting and atrophy, multiple sites ( decrease in size and wasting of muscle tissue), lack of coordination ( coordination impairment or loss of coordination), need for assistance with personal care, age-related osteoporosis without current pathological fracture (a disorder characterized by reduced bone mass, with a decrease in cortical thickness and in the number and size of the trabeculae of cancellous bone, resulting in increased fracture incidence).
Record review of Resident #34's Quarterly MDS dated [DATE] reflected resident had a BIMS score of 15 indicated her cognition was intact. Resident required set up assistance with eating.
Record review of Resident #34's Comprehensive Care Plan dated 11/17/2022 reflected resident had ADL self-care performance deficit. Intervention: Serve diet per MD orders. Monitor dietary intake every meal and record. If resident eats 50 percent or less, offer substitute. Monitor for tolerance to diet served. Resident had anemia. Intervention: Review diet and make recommendations as required. Resident had diabetes. Intervention: Monitor compliance with diet and document any problems. Offer substitutes for food not eaten. Dietary Concerns: Clinical conditions demonstrate that maintenance of acceptable nutritional status may not be possible due to potential for decreased appetite with poor meal intake, potential for unplanned weight loss. Interventions: Provide menu with alternative selection daily. Assist with making choices appropriate to menu options. Offer alternative if resident consumes 75 percent or less of meal.
Observation of the dry erase board in the dining room revealed very blurred writing of allegedly part of a menu. There was not alternate menu on the wall on 12/27/2022 and 12/28/2022 until around 11:45 AM on 12/28/2022. The alternate menu was posted above where the hair nets was located on a small portion of a wall next to kitchen door. It was not noticeable until Dietary Manager showed where it was located. She stated she had placed it there on 12/28/2022. Where it was located it was difficult to read it.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 during Resident Group Meeting at 10:00 AM -11:15 AM Resident # 34 stated she did not request something else to eat very often but when she did it was always a sandwich and some type of soup. She stated she did request something, and they gave her some soup with 4 slices of cucumbers. She stated she laughed and said she had never seen this before and won't ever see it again. She will tell them to take it back where they got it from that was a disgrace.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 at 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM during Resident Group Meeting the residents in the group were asked if any of the residents had been given a menu of what was going to be served for that day or had seen it posted anywhere in the facility and eight out of eight residents stated no. The residents in the group were asked if they were ever told by anyone in Dietary what they could have as a substitute and eight out of eight residents stated no. The residents were asked if they were given a substitute menu by anyone in dietary or nursing and eight out of eight stated no. All residents agreed the only substitute they were offered was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, grill cheese and/ or some type of soup. Resident # 9 stated it was very seldom they would get a ham sandwich, but she stated that wasn't very often. The other residents in the group stated they never were offered a ham sandwich.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 at 11:30 AM, the Dietary [NAME] stated the alternate meal today was vegetable soup. She stated how they determined what was going to be the substitute was before the meal was served and they would prepare some soup. She stated they would serve some type of sandwich usually peanut butter and jelly, grill cheese and sometimes ham sandwiches with the soup.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 at 1:30 PM LVN C stated if the residents want a substitute meal it was always some type of sandwich and/ or soup. She stated it was usually wrapped in cellophane and looked like peanut butter and jelly. She stated she did not believe the substitute was a meal she thought it was more of a snack. She stated if residents do not receive the proper nutrients at meals, it could affect their blood sugar, if they had wounds prevent wounds from healing and all types of physical issues. She stated residents would have potential of losing weight.
In an interview on 12/28/2022 at 2:45 PM the ADON stated any alternate meal should be equivalent to the regular meal served. She stated alternate meal needed to be another type of meat, vegetables, bread, and dessert. She stated serving a sandwich and sometimes they would serve soup and sandwich was not enough nutrients for the residents. She stated residents could lose weight. She also stated the sandwiches were usually peanut butter and jelly or grill cheese and if a person was a diabetic there was a potential their blood sugar would become high. She said if some residents were only eating a sandwich or a sandwich and soup, there was a potential for all types of physical issues.
In an interview on 12/30/2022 at 8:56 AM, the DON stated her expectations of an alternate meal would be equivalent to the original meal that was served. She stated alternate meals would consist of a meat, vegetables, a starch, bread, and dessert. She stated if residents were only receiving peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with soup that was not considered a nutritious meal. She stated that would be more of a snack than a mean. She also stated if resident were only getting a sandwich and not soup that was a snack and not a meal. She stated a resident had the potential of losing weight, if they were diabetic could affect their blood sugar to be unstable, and if they had wounds, they would not receive the appropriate nutrients to heal the wound. She stated she had witnessed the residents only receiving a sandwich for a substitute.
In an interview on 12/30/2022 at 12:39 PM, the Administrator stated a sandwich was not an alternate meal. He also stated a sandwich and soup was not an alternate meal. He stated an alternate meal was expected to be a substitute of a different meat, vegetable, serve bread and dessert. He stated a resident could lost weight if they were not receiving a proper alternate meal. He stated it was the Dietary Manger job to ensure the residents were receiving the proper nutrition.
In an interview on 12/30/2022 at 10:50 AM, the Dietary Manager stated the alternate meal can be a sandwich and soup. She stated the residents had the opportunity to inform anyone if they wanted a hamburger, a chef salad, chicken strips, or anything and it would be prepared. She stated the residents received an alternate menu on 12/28/2022. She stated she had not passed out alternate menu prior to this date. She stated it was her responsibility to provide alternate menu and she could see where a peanut butter and jelly sandwich would not be a full meal but if that was what the residents want that is what we give them. She stated she has all types of meats that can be made into sandwiches. She stated she did not know why the cooks didn't make some type of meat sandwich. She stated the dietary staff was not writing the menus on the dry erase board in the dining room due to not having a dry erase pen for a few weeks. Policy for Alternate Menu was requested at the end of the interview. The policy was not provided at time of exit.
Record Review of facility policy on Menus dated 2001 and revised on October 2017 reflected Menus are developed and prepared to meet resident choices including religious, cultural, and ethnic needs while following established national guidelines for nutritional adequacy. Copies of menus are posted in at least two resident areas, in positions and in print large enough for residents to read them.