Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control in Kitchen Storage Area
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when surveyors observed a hole in the wall of the kitchen's storage area, specifically in a closet used to store paper goods such as cups, plates, and napkins. The hole, resulting from missing drywall, was covered with a metal wire mesh that had openings approximately 1/2 inch wide. This condition was directly observed during a facility visit, and the Registered Dietician confirmed that the expectation was for all walls to be intact, acknowledging that pests could potentially enter through the mesh covering. A review of the facility's sanitation policy indicated that all surfaces and equipment should be maintained in good repair and free from breaks or open seams. Additionally, the FDA Federal Food Code requires nonfood-contact surfaces to be free of unnecessary openings to prevent pest harborage. The failure to maintain an intact wall in the kitchen storage area created a potential entry point for pests, which could lead to food contamination for 54 medically compromised residents who receive food from the kitchen.