Failure to Ensure Pest-Free Environment Due to Untreated Resident Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a pest-free environment for two residents, both of whom had significant medical conditions including malnutrition, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease, hemiplegia, dysphasia, and cognitive impairments. Observations and interviews with the Maintenance Director and Housekeeping Director confirmed that both residents' rooms had broken or missing flooring and loose floor tiles, which, when disturbed, released a significant number of gnats from beneath the flooring. Review of pest control invoices showed that these rooms had not been treated for or monitored for gnats, and no pest control treatments had been completed for these specific rooms during the reviewed period. The facility's pest control policy required monthly spraying of all areas and additional visits if problems developed, but this was not followed for the affected rooms.