Failure to Prevent Serving Allergen-Containing Food to Resident with Documented Food Allergies
Summary
A resident with documented allergies to gluten and lactose was served cream of wheat for breakfast, despite multiple records indicating these allergies. The resident's care plan, physician's orders, allergy list, dietary profile, and other medical documentation all specified the need for a gluten-free and lactose-free diet. The resident's meal ticket did indicate a gluten restriction, but the actual food provided did not comply, and the meal ticket did not specify the correct gluten-free substitute (cream of rice). The resident reported previous instances of being served foods containing gluten and stated that staff had been informed of these allergies. The dietary staff prepared only oatmeal and cream of wheat for breakfast, and cream of rice, the appropriate substitute, was not available in stock. Staff responsible for preparing and checking trays were either unaware that cream of wheat contained gluten or had been incorrectly informed that it was safe for gluten-free diets. The kitchen staff had not received training on gluten-free diets, and the facility's software failed to update the meal ticket to reflect the resident's dietary needs. The food service manager or supervisor did not check the resident's tray for the correct diet before it was delivered, as required by facility policy. Interviews with staff revealed gaps in knowledge and communication regarding food allergies and dietary restrictions. The licensed nurse who checked the tray was not able to accurately identify whether the hot cereal was gluten-free and relied on incomplete information from the meal ticket. The dietary aide responsible for tray accuracy had been told by a previous supervisor that cream of wheat was acceptable for gluten-free diets, leading to repeated errors. The facility's purchasing records showed that cream of rice had not been restocked in a timely manner, further contributing to the deficiency.
Removal Plan
- The DON immediately assessed Resident 71 for any adverse reaction and there were none noted.
- The facility notified Resident 71's attending physician and Resident 71's family of the incident of giving food containing allergies. The attending physician did not give any new orders.
- The Minimum Data Set Coordinator 1 (MDSC 1) updated Resident 71's allergy Care Plan to remove gluten allergy and Resident 71's nutrition risk Care Plan to reflect gluten intolerance prior to a diagnostic test for allergies.
- The Registered Dietitian (RD) evaluated Resident 71 and updated food preferences, reviewed allergies and food intolerances, and completed a nutritional assessment.
- The Director of Staff Development (DSD) provided one-on-one in-service training to Licensed Vocational Nurse 3 (LVN 3, who checked Resident 71's breakfast prior to serving) to ensure: a) Identification of food allergies using the daily Allergy Report provided by DON and/or designee. The daily Allergy Report can be found in a special needs binder located at each nursing station and dining room. b) Prior to tray passing to residents during mealtimes, a licensed nurse will check all trays for accuracy of meal ticket and physician diet orders against what is on the residents' meal tray using the diet report. c) Prior to passing the meal trays to the residents during mealtimes, a licensed nurse will check the diet type report and the meal ticket on each tray against the food on the resident's meal tray. d) Prior to tray passing to residents during mealtime, a licensed nurse will check all the trays to ensure any resident with a gluten allergy is not served unless food item on food tray is labeled gluten free.
- The DON, the DSD, the RD, the Dietary Supervisor (DS) initiated an in-service to staff (including RNs, LVNs, CNAs, Rehabilitation Therapists, the Dietary Manager, cooks, tray line staff, dishwashers, Dietary Preparation staff, and Department Heads) about identification of food allergies using the daily Allergy Report, 2 licensed nurse will check all the trays to ensure meal ticket, physicians orders and Diet Type Report are accurate against resident's food trays. The in-service also included checking all the trays to ensure all trays are checked for gluten allergies and not served foods containing gluten. Snacks for residents on gluten free diet will be labeled gluten free. A licensed nurse will check the diet type report, snacks label and food to ensure accuracy before serving it to the residents.
- The DS completed an in-service to the dietary staff (Dietary Manager, cooks, tray line staff, dishwashers, and dietary preparation staff) related to food allergy, labeling of gluten-free food items, and ensuring all trays are checked accurately to ensure residents are not served a food item they are allergic prior to trays being sent out of the kitchen. Tray line staff will refer to Diet Manual for Guidance on alternatives for residents on gluten restricted diet/gluten allergy/intolerance. Staff that have not yet been in-serviced (those on vacation and per diem employees) will be in-serviced on their first reported day back to work.
- The DON and or designee will update the Allergy report daily at the clinical meeting (Monday to Friday), and ensure it is available at each nursing station and dining room and a copy will be provided to the kitchen.
- The DON, the Assistant DON (ADON), the MDS Nurse and the DSD observed the licensed nurses checking for tray accuracy prior to trays being served to residents. No issues were identified and the 10 residents who had food allergies and or food intolerances had accurate trays. The DON and ADON assessed the 10 residents for any signs and symptoms of allergic reaction, and none noted.
- The RD provided in-service to final tray line staff who checked Resident 71's breakfast tray.
- The DON reviewed all residents and identified 10 residents with food allergies. Resident 71 the only resident identified to be on a gluten restricted diet. One resident identified having gluten allergy had been hospitalized for unrelated medical condition. Upon this resident readmitted to the facility, the nurse will obtain an order from the MD for allergy test.
- The Regional RD observed breakfast tray line to ensure accuracy of the meal tickets to what was being placed on resident's meal trays. There were no issues identified and the 10 residents who had food allergies and or intolerances had accurate trays.
- The DON completed competency for the licensed nurse who checked Resident 71's tray and met expectations as evidenced by the licensed nurse being able to correctly check the diet orders, resident allergies against the food tray.
- The DON and or designee will complete a random daily visual check of meal trays for residents with identified food allergies using the Daily Food Allergy Audit Form. This audit will remain on-going until the goal is achieved.
- The DON and or designee will review the change in conditions daily related to food allergies.
- The DON and or designee will complete a Monthly Food Allergy Interview Audit Tool to ensure that each residents allergies are current, and up to date. This audit will remain ongoing until the goal is achieved.
- The DON obtained an order from Medical Doctor (MD) for Tissue Transglutaminase ([tTG-igA], blood test to diagnose celiac disease, a disease in which the small intestine is hypersensitive to gluten, leading to difficulty in digesting food) to be drawn.
- The DON discussed with MD to update Resident 71's gluten intolerance to gluten allergy. The DON updated allergy profile and care plan to reflect resident's gluten allergy. The DON provided dietary communication form to dietary staff for gluten allergy update.
- Registered Nurse Supervisor obtained order from MD for Resident 71 for psychology consult for psychosocial support.
- The RN Supervisor and or designee will update the Allergy report and special needs binder on the weekends (Saturday and Sunday) at each nursing station, and dining room.
- The RD will check food inventory weekly based on the upcoming week's menu using the Inventory form. If any items are missing, the RD will notify the Dietary Manager/designee, and the RD will approve appropriate alternative with same nutritional value if necessary.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A resident with a documented No Added Salt (NAS) diet and clear instructions for no sauce, gravy, or chicken skin was repeatedly served meals that did not follow these specifications. During one observed meal, the resident received chicken with skin and gravy despite the diet card prohibiting these items, and the resident reported that the previous evening’s dinner plate also contained a large amount of gravy. The resident stated they did not report the issue to staff because they did not want to complain and feared their meal would be delayed, demonstrating that the facility did not consistently honor the resident’s documented food preferences and restrictions.
The facility failed to provide a variety of appealing meal substitutions in line with resident preferences and its own written menu standards. Although the alternate menu listed deli sandwiches, grilled cheese, chef salads, and bread, residents and staff consistently reported that only grilled cheese, and occasionally ham sandwiches without cheese, were offered when residents refused the main meal. Resident council leaders and multiple residents stated they had repeatedly complained about the lack of variety and the removal of prior options such as hamburgers and pizza, without any resolution. CNAs, an LPN, and an RN confirmed frequent resident complaints and the limited substitution choices, while dietary staff and the Food Service Manager acknowledged that budget-driven changes had reduced the alternate menu and that key salad ingredients like tomatoes and cucumbers were not routinely stocked, resulting in monotonous and restricted substitution offerings.
A resident with diabetes, heart failure, and HTN, who was cognitively intact and on a consistent carb, regular texture diet, repeatedly received oatmeal on meal trays despite stating multiple times that he did not like it. Review of the care plan and nutrition assessment showed no documented food preferences, and the daily menu for the resident lacked any notation of likes or dislikes, even though the facility’s policy and the DM’s process required recording such information on nutritional assessments and menus.
Failure to Honor Documented Food Dislike: A resident with dementia and malnutrition had a documented dislike for breakfast sausage on the meal ticket, yet sausage was served on breakfast trays during two observations. The resident stated she did not eat breakfast sausage, and dietary staff and the ADM confirmed it should not have been served.
Two cognitively intact residents with documented food dislikes were repeatedly served items listed as dislikes and did not consistently receive alternate menu selections they ordered. One resident received beets despite this item being listed as a dislike and reported frequently having to request a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead, while another resident with rice listed as a dislike reported receiving incorrect meals and that the menu was wrong on most days of a week. Surveyors also observed that the posted menu listed spiced pears, but residents were served mangoes with whipped topping, and a dietary aide stated that staff often prepared whatever food was on hand rather than what was on the menu. The Administrator acknowledged emerging dietary issues and confirmed that residents should not receive foods on their dislike/allergy lists and that served food should match the menu or be communicated if changed.
Failure to honor documented food allergies, intolerances, and preferences: Two residents were served foods listed as allergies or dislikes, including raw tomatoes, milk, tomatoes, and cucumbers. One resident’s chart also failed to include a documented raw tomato allergy, and lactose-free milk was not available on the unit drink cart despite being in the kitchen. The NHA and DON confirmed the transcription and meal service failures.
Failure to Honor Resident’s Documented Food Preferences and Restrictions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident’s documented food preferences and diet specifications when serving meals. During a dining observation, the resident reported she was not supposed to have gravy or chicken skin, yet her lunch tray contained chicken with the skin on and gravy covering the chicken. Review of the resident’s meal card on the tray showed an order for a No Added Salt (NAS) diet with explicit instructions for no sauce, gravy, or chicken skin. The resident further reported that her dinner plate the previous evening had a lot of gravy, and she did not report the concern to staff because she did not want to complain and was worried her meal would arrive later if she did. Review of the facility’s daily dinner menu for that evening showed that crispy pork cutlet with gravy was served, indicating that the resident’s stated and documented preferences and restrictions were not followed.
Failure to Provide Variety and Choice in Meal Substitutions
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide residents with a variety of appealing meal substitutions consistent with resident preferences and the facility’s own policy. The facility census showed 58 residents, with 57 on oral diets, and the Alternate Menu listed deli sandwiches, grilled cheese, chef’s choice salad, and bread as substitution options. However, interviews and observations revealed that in practice residents were typically only offered grilled cheese sandwiches, with occasional ham sandwiches that were served without cheese. The Food Service Manager reported that hamburgers, hot dogs, and pizza had been removed from the substitution menu after a budget review, and that the alternate list was reduced to deli sandwiches and grilled cheese. Multiple residents, including resident council leaders, stated they did not like the food served and that the only consistent substitution offered was grilled cheese, despite the facility’s written list of other options. Residents reported that they had previously been offered a wider variety of substitutions such as pizza and hamburgers, but those options were no longer available. Some residents stated they had repeatedly voiced concerns at meals and during resident council meetings about the lack of variety and appealing choices, but no changes were made, leading at least one resident to stop speaking up because complaints did not result in any resolution. Staff interviews corroborated the residents’ complaints. Several CNAs and nursing staff stated that residents frequently complained about the food, the lack of variety, and the limited substitutions, confirming that grilled cheese was essentially the only substitute offered. The Food Service Manager acknowledged that the chef salad on the substitution list was limited to lettuce, American cheese, and deli meat, and that items like tomato and cucumber were only included if they happened to be on the main menu and in stock, as they were not ordered specifically for substitution salads. During a lunch observation, kitchen staff confirmed that there were no cucumbers, tomatoes, or onions available, and grilled cheese sandwiches were seen prepared in a steamtable pan on the serving line, further demonstrating the restricted and repetitive nature of the substitution offerings.
Failure to Document and Honor Resident Food Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident’s food preferences were documented and honored, resulting in the resident repeatedly receiving an undesired food item. During an interview, Resident B, who was cognitively intact per a 5-day MDS assessment, reported that he did not like oatmeal and had continued to receive it on his meal tray despite telling staff several times not to send it. Review of his medical record showed he was admitted with diagnoses including diabetes, heart failure, and hypertension, and had a physician’s order for a consistent carbohydrate, regular texture diet. However, his care plan contained no specific food preferences, and his nutrition assessment only stated that food preferences were on the tray card, with no additional information recorded. The DON stated that food preferences were recorded on nutritional assessments, while the DM explained that residents were given daily menus and asked to indicate what they wanted, and that she would include likes and dislikes if residents informed her. Neither the DON nor the DM reported being told of any food preferences by this resident. The DM provided a copy of the daily menu for the resident, which lacked any notation of likes or dislikes at the bottom where such information was supposed to be recorded. The facility’s policy, “Clinical Nutrition documentation,” stated that residents have the right to make their own food choices related to individual differences and cultural and ethnic preferences, but the documentation and meal service for this resident did not reflect his stated dislike of oatmeal.
Failure to Honor Documented Food Dislike
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor and accommodate a resident’s food preference by serving breakfast sausage despite the resident’s documented dislike for it. Resident #68 was admitted with diagnoses including unspecified dementia and unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition, and her most recent MDS showed a BIMS score of 12, indicating moderately impaired cognition. Her meal ticket listed a special note that she disliked breakfast sausage. During observations on two separate mornings, Resident #68 was seen with a breakfast sausage patty cut up on her breakfast plate, and she stated both times that she did not eat breakfast sausage. During the second observation, the dietary staff member confirmed that breakfast sausage was listed as a dislike on the meal ticket and should not have been served. The administrator also confirmed that because breakfast sausage was listed as a dislike, it should not have been served to the resident.
Failure to Honor Food Preferences and Follow Posted Menus
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to honor resident food preferences, provide listed menu items, and offer appropriate alternatives. One cognitively intact resident, identified as Resident 2, had a documented dislike of beets on their meal slip but was observed receiving a lunch tray with a large serving of cut-up red beets. Resident 2 reported that they often received foods they did not like and frequently had to request a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead. Resident 2 stated they had repeatedly spoken with the Administrator (Staff A) about ongoing problems with food service. Another cognitively intact resident, identified as Resident 3, was observed with a lunch tray containing mashed potatoes and reported that they were surprised because, when rice was on the menu, that was usually what they received. Resident 3 pointed to their meal slip, which listed rice under dislikes, and reported that they often ordered from the bistro menu but still received the main meal instead. Resident 3 stated the menu had been incorrect for four of seven days in the previous week. Additionally, during an observation of the posted daily menu, residents were supposed to receive spiced pears, but trays contained mangoes with whipped topping instead. A dietary aide (Staff F) confirmed that mangoes were served and stated that day-shift staff frequently prepared whatever food was on hand rather than what was on the menu. The Administrator (Staff A) acknowledged there were emerging issues in dietary services and affirmed that residents should not receive items on their dislike/allergy lists, should be able to receive alternate menu items they order, and that served food should match the menu or be communicated to residents if changed.
Failure to Honor Documented Food Allergies, Intolerances, and Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide food and beverages in accordance with residents’ documented allergies, intolerances, and stated food preferences for two residents. Resident 188’s lunch meal ticket identified a lactose allergy and dislikes for pineapple and raw tomatoes, but during lunch the resident was served a side salad containing raw tomatoes and a cup of white whole milk. At the time of the meal, the resident stated she was allergic to raw tomatoes, pineapple, and milk. Staff confirmed the resident was served raw tomatoes despite the meal ticket identifying tomatoes as a dislike, and the unit drink cart did not have lactose-free milk available even though an unopened half-gallon was present in the kitchen walk-in refrigerator. Clinical record review showed a CRNP progress note documented dietary allergies to chocolate, raw tomatoes, pineapple, and lactose intolerance, but the allergy list in the medical record included pineapple and lactose and did not include raw tomatoes. Resident 167’s lunch meal ticket documented dislikes of tomatoes and cucumbers, yet the resident was served a side salad containing both items. The resident stated he frequently receives foods identified on his dislike list. The NHA and DON confirmed the facility failed to accurately transcribe dietary allergies in the medical record and failed to ensure residents received meals consistent with their documented allergies, intolerances, and preferences.
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