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Nursing Home Nutrition and Dietary Services Audit Checklist

A comprehensive checklist for auditing nutrition and dietary services in nursing homes, covering areas such as meal planning, food safety, special diets, hydration, and dining experience to ensure resident health, satisfaction, and regulatory compliance.

Nursing Home Nutrition and Dietary Services Audit Checklist

by: audit-now
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About This Checklist

Proper nutrition and dietary services are essential for maintaining the health and well-being of nursing home residents. This comprehensive audit checklist is designed to evaluate and improve the quality of nutritional care in long-term care facilities. By addressing key areas such as meal planning, food safety, special dietary needs, hydration, and dining experience, this checklist helps identify potential issues and ensures compliance with dietary care standards. Regular audits using this checklist can significantly enhance resident satisfaction, improve health outcomes, and promote a person-centered approach to nutritional care in nursing homes.

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Industry

Healthcare

Standard

CMS Long-Term Care Dietary Standards

Workspaces

Healthcare Centers

Occupations

Registered Dietitians
Food Service Managers
Nutritionists
Nursing Home Administrators
Quality Assurance Specialists
1
Is the food storage area maintained at the proper temperatures?
2
What is the average calorie count per meal?
Min: 600
Target: 600-800
Max: 800
3
Are special diets documented correctly for each resident?
4
How satisfied are residents with the dining experience?
5
Is the dining area clean and well-maintained?
6
What percentage of tables are set up correctly before meals?
Min: 90
Target: 90-100
Max: 100
7
Are all dietary staff trained in food safety and nutrition?
8
How often is feedback from residents collected regarding meal services?
9
Are all ingredients used in meal preparation fresh and within their expiration dates?
10
What is the average weight of each meal portion served?
Min: 150
Target: 150-250
Max: 250
11
Are standard preparation procedures being followed consistently?
12
How effectively are allergens managed in meal preparation?
13
Are hydration stations easily accessible to residents?
14
What is the average daily fluid intake per resident?
Min: 1500
Target: 1500-2500
Max: 2500
15
Is there a sufficient variety of beverages available for residents?
16
How satisfied are residents with the beverage services provided?
17
Are meals delivered to residents in a timely manner?
18
What is the average temperature of meals upon delivery?
Min: 60
Target: 60-75
Max: 75
19
Is the meal presentation appealing to residents?
20
How would you rate the interaction quality of staff during meal service?

FAQs

Nutrition and dietary services audits should be conducted regularly, typically on a quarterly basis. However, more frequent audits may be necessary if issues are identified or significant changes occur in dietary services or resident population.

Key areas include meal planning and variety, special dietary accommodations, food preparation and safety, dining environment, hydration practices, nutritional assessment processes, and staff training in dietary care.

The audit team should include registered dietitians, food service managers, nursing staff, and quality assurance personnel. Input from residents and their families can also provide valuable insights into the dining experience and food quality.

Audit results can be used to identify areas for improvement in meal planning, food preparation, and service delivery. They can guide menu modifications, staff training programs, and updates to dietary policies and procedures. Regular follow-up audits can help track progress and ensure sustained improvements in nutritional care.

Resident choice is a crucial aspect of person-centered care. Audits should assess how well the facility accommodates resident preferences, offers menu alternatives, and provides culturally appropriate meal options. This helps ensure that nutritional care respects resident autonomy and enhances overall satisfaction with dietary services.

Benefits of Nursing Home Nutrition and Dietary Services Audit Checklist

Ensures residents receive appropriate nutrition tailored to their individual needs

Improves compliance with food safety regulations and dietary care standards

Enhances resident satisfaction with meal quality and dining experience

Helps prevent malnutrition and dehydration among residents

Promotes better health outcomes through optimal nutritional care