Section 250.1670  Food Preparation and Service

a)         Food shall be prepared in sufficient quantities and by appropriate methods that conserve the nutritive value, flavor and appearance.  They shall be prepared according to standardized recipes and a file of such recipes shall be available for use by cooks and other appropriate personnel.

b)         Foods shall be attractively served at the proper temperatures and in a form to meet individual needs.

c)         Where appropriate, patients shall be encouraged to eat in a dining room that is attractive, well lighted, and appropriately equipped.  In said dining rooms there shall be tables available of sufficient height to accommodate wheelchairs, stryker frames and/or other similar equipment. Over-bed tables shall be provided for patients who eat their meals in bed or in their rooms.

d)         Special assistive eating devices shall be available and provided as ordered by the physician or his designee.

e)         If a patient refuses the food served, appropriate substitutes of similar nutritive value shall be offered or other appropriate action shall be taken upon the advice of the dietitian.