US · guidance
CMS SOM App. U, Tag R144
(3) Furnish meals at regular times comparable to normal mealtimes in the
community. There must be no more than 14 hours between a substantial evening
meal and breakfast the following day.
Interpretive Guidelines: §403.734(b)(3)
Each patient must receive and the facility must provide at least three meals daily, at
regular times comparable to normal mealtimes in the community or in accordance with
patient’s needs, preferences, requests, and plan of care.
There must be no more than 14 hours between a substantial evening meal and breakfast
the following day.
Survey Procedures:
• Review the food services schedule for providing meals to patients.
• Calculate the time elapsed for a sample of the patients. Does the RNHCI provide
meals at appropriate times in accordance with the standard?
History
Rev. 239; Issued: 04-24-26; Effective: 04-24-26; Implementation: 04-24-26
Provenance
- Source
- cms.gov
- Retrieved
- 2026-07-22
- Edition
- som-2026-07-22
- Content hash
d63cffdb2e4cf2673e1cafd149eff8435161e16fd6616059bbffbe8052320520
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