Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, as evidenced by multiple observations and staff interviews confirming the presence of rodents and rodent droppings in resident rooms and common areas. Pest control vendor reports documented a captured rodent and staff sightings of mice, with recommendations to keep doors closed. Despite these findings, the last documented visit from the pest control vendor was in March, and the service was discontinued due to unpaid invoices. Housekeeping staff reported finding rodent droppings, dried urine, and a dead rodent during deep cleaning of resident rooms, and these findings were reported to supervisors. A resident with intact cognition showed surveyors two dead mice in spring-loaded traps she had placed under her bed, stating this was not the first occurrence and that she needed more traps. Other staff, including a CNA and the maintenance supervisor, confirmed recent sightings of rodent droppings and evidence of rodents in the facility. The maintenance supervisor was unaware that residents were using their own traps and expressed surprise at the findings. The facility's policy requires an ongoing pest control program to ensure the building is free of rodents, but this was not maintained due to the cancellation of the pest control service.