Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain effective pest control in the kitchen, as evidenced by the observation of a live roach in the clean pots and pan storage room. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of the pest issue, with dietary and maintenance staff acknowledging the presence of roaches and describing ongoing pest control treatments. The dietary staff reported that pest control services were performed monthly, while the maintenance director noted a recent change in pest control companies due to concerns about the effectiveness of the previous provider. Despite these measures, the presence of a live roach was observed, and staff indicated that the kitchen had experienced stragglers and that a recent drainage backup may have contributed to the pest issue. Record reviews revealed that the facility's pest control agreement did not cover all types of pests, specifically noting that German roaches required different procedures and were not fully included in the standard agreement. Invoices from the pest control company documented the presence of German roaches in the dietary area and indicated that a roach clean-out service was performed, but with no warranty for the service. The facility's pest control policy stated the intent to maintain an effective program, but the observed and documented presence of pests in the kitchen demonstrated a failure to achieve this standard.