Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of ants and evidence of vermin within resident rooms. One resident with intact cognition reported seeing ants in her room over the past month and described an incident involving a mouse and baby mice in her bed, which she reported to staff. Observations in her room revealed no visible ants but did find debris resembling mouse droppings and food items stored on night stands, including fruit and bottled water. Another resident, also with intact cognition, confirmed the presence of a mouse in his room and pointed out a mouse trap placed along the wall. Multiple CNAs interviewed acknowledged hearing about or previously seeing mice in the facility, particularly in rooms where residents kept food, but none reported recent sightings of ants or mice themselves. The facility's pest control contract had lapsed after the last service in December, and the administrator was unaware that services had stopped until contacting the provider during the survey. The facility's policy required an ongoing pest control program to keep the building free of insects and rodents, but this was not maintained, as evidenced by resident and staff reports, physical observations, and the lack of current pest control services.