SECTION 310:661-6-4. Dietary services

(a)   The facility shall provide dietary service adequate to meet the dietary needs of the patients. Services may be provided on a contract basis as long as dietary needs of patients are met.

(b)   Each facility shall serve at least three (3) meals or their equivalent each day at regular times, with not more than fourteen (14) hours between a substantial evening meal and breakfast.

(c)   Menus shall be planned and followed to balance patient choice with nutritional needs of patients, in accordance with physicians' orders and to the extent medically possible, in accordance with the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) of the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences.

(d)   The facility shall procure, store, prepare, distribute, and serve all food under sanitary conditions in compliance with Chapter 257 of this Title.

(e)   Nourishments shall be available for all patients at anytime in accordance with approved diet orders.

(f)   There shall be adequate trained staff available to manage and provide dietary services. A licensed/registered dietitian shall be available to provide consultation on patients' dietary needs, supervise services, and ensure medically prescribed special diets are provided as ordered.

(g)   The system to be used for dishwashing shall be approved by the Department and operated in accordance with approved procedures and requirements of Chapter 257 of this Title.

(h)   Garbage and refuse shall be kept in durable, easily cleanable, insect-proof and rodent-proof containers that do not leak and do not absorb liquids. Adequate carriers and containers shall be provided for the collection and transportation, in a sanitary manner, of garbage and refuse from food service areas of the hospice to the place of disposal in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 257 of this Title.

[Source: Added at 21 Ok Reg 1303, eff 5-27-04; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 2004, eff 6-25-07]