§ 72335. Dietetic Service -Food Service.

(a) The dietetic service shall provide food of the quality and quantity to meet each patient's needs in accordance with the physicians' orders and to meet “The Recommended Daily Dietary Allowance,” the most current edition, adopted by the Food and Nutrition Board of the National Research Council of the National Academy of Sciences, and the following:

(1) Not less than 3 meals shall be served daily and with not more than a 14-hour span between the last meal and the first meal of the following day.

(2) Between-meal feeding shall be provided as required by the diet order. Bedtime nourishments shall be offered to all patients unless contraindicated.

(3) Patient food preferences shall be adhered to as much as possible and substitutes for all food refused shall be from appropriate food groups. Condiments such as salt, pepper or sugar shall be available at each meal unless contraindicated by the diet order.

(4) Table service shall be provided for all patients who can and wish to eat at a table. Tables of appropriate height shall be provided for patients in wheelchairs.

(5) No food ordered for the facility shall be diverted or taken from the facility. No rebates shall be received or allowed to the facility or its owners, directors, officers or employees from any commercial food source.

(6) When food is provided by an outside resource, the facility shall ensure that all federal, state and local requirements are met. The facility shall maintain a written plan, adequate space, equipment and food supplies to provide patients' food service in emergencies.

(7) Recipes for all items that are prepared for regular and therapeutic diets shall be available and used to prepare attractive and palatable meals, in which nutritive values, flavor and appearance are conserved. Food shall be served attractively, at appropriate temperatures with appropriate eating utensils and in a form to meet individual needs.

(b) A current profile card shall be maintained for each patient, indicating diet order, likes, dislikes, allergies to foods, diagnosis and instructions or guidelines to be followed in the preparation and serving of food for the patient.

(c) All regular and therapeutic diets shall be prescribed by a person lawfully authorized to give such an order. Verbal orders may be received and recorded by a qualified dietitian and shall be signed by the prescriber within five days.

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 208(a) and 1275, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Section 1276, Health and Safety Code.