Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, as evidenced by ongoing and repeated sightings and findings of mice and mouse droppings in multiple nursing units (1P, 3P, 3S) and the kitchen. Facility pest control logs documented several incidents, including staff disposing of dead mice, finding significant mouse droppings, and receiving resident complaints about mice in their rooms. Vendor pest control logs further confirmed persistent rodent activity, with multiple dead mice found in the kitchen on numerous occasions, rodent droppings, and evidence of mice in other facility areas such as the chapel. Residents and their families also reported frequent mouse sightings, with one family providing video evidence of mice in a resident's room. Staff interviews revealed that mice had been a recurring issue, with increased activity noted since construction began. The Director of Environmental Services stated that the pest control vendor visits weekly, but vendor reports indicated that identified issues, such as gaps in floors and holes in walls, were not addressed in a timely manner. Communication lapses between the Director of Environmental Services and the Director of Facilities contributed to delays in addressing vendor-identified concerns, as the Director of Facilities was not consistently receiving vendor reports. These actions and inactions led to the facility's failure to prevent and control pest infestations as required.