Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program Resulting in Resident Ant Bites
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in a resident on the secured unit sustaining multiple ant bites. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease and required varying levels of assistance with activities of daily living, was found to have 10 ant bites on the left arm, 2 on the right arm, and 2 on the left clavicle. These bites were identified during a head-to-toe skin assessment, and the resident was unaware of the bites and reported no pain or discomfort. Observations and interviews confirmed that ants and food crumbs were present in the resident's room over several days, despite repeated cleaning efforts. Documentation showed that staff observed black ants around the baseboards and food crumbs in the affected rooms on multiple occasions. Housekeeping performed deep cleaning several times, but ants continued to be found until pest control was contacted and bait was applied. The pest control company confirmed live ant activity in the resident's room and another room on the secured unit, and performed bait applications to address the issue. Despite these interventions, ant mounds were later observed on the facility grounds, some of which did not show evidence of having been treated as required by facility protocol. Interviews with staff, including CNAs, LVNs, the Maintenance Supervisor, the DON, and the Administrator, revealed that the presence of open food and sugar packets in the resident's room contributed to the ant problem. Staff reported that pest activity was to be logged and reported, and that the Maintenance Supervisor was responsible for coordinating pest control services. However, the ongoing presence of ants and untreated ant mounds indicated lapses in the pest control program and monitoring, which led to the resident being bitten by ants.