Failure to Repair Damaged Drywall and Control Rodent Entry
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a safe, functional, sanitary, and comfortable environment for residents, staff, and the public by not repairing damaged drywall in hot water closets located outside several halls. Observations revealed that the water heater closets for multiple halls had damaged drywall at the bottom, creating holes that allowed rodent access into the inside walls of the facility. Rodent droppings were observed in five out of six closets, and a mouse was seen in a bird cage and running under a wall. The administrator acknowledged ongoing issues with mice in the facility, including sightings in halls and resident rooms, and attributed the problem in part to the facility's location near fields and an abandoned building. Multiple residents reported seeing mice in the halls and, in one case, in a resident's room, where rodent droppings were also observed. Staff interviews confirmed that residents had reported mouse sightings, and maintenance staff stated they were aware of the rodent problem but were not aware of the damaged drywall as a potential entry point. The pest control vendor confirmed that the facility had a rodent problem for the past three months, had placed traps, and had informed maintenance that the damaged drywall in the water heater rooms was an entryway for rodents, but the damage had not been repaired.