Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program for its 136 residents, resulting in the presence of live cockroaches in the utility room where medical supplies, a resident refrigerator for outside food, and the unit ice machine are located. During observations and interviews, a live cockroach was seen traveling from under the counter and under the resident refrigerator. Both the Nurse Supervisor and the Director of Staff Development confirmed the presence of the cockroach and indicated they would notify maintenance and housekeeping. The Maintenance and Housekeeping Director stated that pest control services were scheduled monthly, with the process typically including both exterior and interior inspections and trap monitoring. However, a review of pest control records revealed that for the month of May, pest control services were only performed outside the building and garage, with no interior inspection conducted. Additionally, a pest control report indicated the discovery of a dead German cockroach in the utility room and noted the presence of food debris in both the employee lounge and utility room, which can create conditions conducive to pest infestations. The facility's policy requires an ongoing pest control program to keep the building free of insects and rodents, but the observed lapses and incomplete service contributed to the deficiency.