Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program Resulting in Resident Ant Bites
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program as required by its policy, resulting in a resident experiencing multiple ant bites while in his room. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had a history of acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, reported being bitten on his knees by ants while lying in bed. This was not the first occurrence, as he stated it had also happened several days prior. Observations confirmed the presence of both older and newer insect bites on the resident's legs. Interviews with staff revealed that open cookies above the resident's bed and the proximity of the bed to a window may have contributed to the ant problem. Although pest control services were provided monthly, records indicated the last visit occurred over a month before the most recent incident. Further interviews and record reviews indicated that staff were aware of the ant issue, with previous complaints from residents about ants in their rooms over the past year. The DON confirmed that an initial investigation and body audit did not reveal ants or bites, but subsequent reports and observations confirmed the presence of ants and new bites. The facility's pest control vendor was scheduled for regular monthly visits, but the recurring nature of the ant problem and the resident's repeated bites demonstrated a failure to effectively eradicate and contain pests as outlined in the facility's pest control policy.