Facility Evaluation Report

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Esther Cortez conducted a case management visit at the Day Program (DP) regarding a self-reported incident that occurred on 02/14/2025. LPA met with Administrator Juan Garcia and explained the reason for the visit.

It was reported that on 02/14/2025, Client 1 (C1) was choking on a meatball sandwich provided by the DP, received Heimlich maneuver from staff, and C1 was successful in coughing up a meatball. It was further reported that C1 got their plate of food before staff could cut up their meal.

During today's visit the LPA conducted two (2) staff interviews and a file review. Staff Interviews revealed that C1 has chocking hazard and food needs to be chopped up prior to being provided. On 02/14/25, C1 was assigned to Staff 1 (S1) and was provided food by another staff while S1 was on lunch. S1 returned from lunch, started passing out napkins to the clients and notice C1 was displaying signs of choking and started doing abdominal thrusts on C1. S1 asked a coworker to get assistance and another staff came and started doing abdominal thrusts on C1, then C1 was able to cough up a meatball. S1 is not aware if the other staff that provided the food knew that C1 needed their food to be cut up. S1 also revealed that C1 brings their lunch from home, which is chopped up, and the DP only provides meals on certain occasions, has not cut up C1's meals prior to this incident, and has seen C1 eat things at the DP without being cut up, like pizza.

File Review revealed that C1 has a Heart Healthy diet with Mechanical Soft (no hard edges) consistency that should be served in portions per their Physicians report dated 12/24/2024. Furthermore, a review of C1's Emergency Information Printout on file revealed that the DP's dietary concerns for C1 are that C1 has a history of constipation and very slow eater and that all foods must be chopped/pureed before getting near C1's space.

Per the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6, Chapter 8, the following deficiency was observed and cited during the visit (See 809-D). Exit interview conducted. A copy of the report and appeal rights were provided.