Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and maintain an effective pest control program, as evidenced by multiple observations of flies and gnats in several resident rooms affecting five residents. Surveyors observed flies landing on residents and their belongings, including pillows and food, and noted that residents found the flies to be bothersome. In one instance, a resident's pillow had a black substance on it, and flies were seen landing on it repeatedly. Another room had eight to ten live flies, gnats, and an unplugged pest control light, along with an uncovered bedside commode containing urine and debris on the floor. Additional observations revealed rooms with unpleasant odors detectable from the hallway, dirty floors with food debris, full trash cans, and personal items scattered about. In one room, a sticky fly trap was completely full of flies, and several live and dead flies were present. Residents reported that housekeeping cleaned their rooms every other day, but some did not want their belongings moved. Staff interviews confirmed the presence of flies, with some staff using fly swatters and others unsure about the frequency of pest control treatments. The facility did not provide a pest control policy for review, and staff interviews indicated inconsistent knowledge and practices regarding pest control measures. The maintenance director stated that pest control services were provided at least monthly or more often if needed, but had not received complaints about flies. The administrator described various methods used to address flies but was not aware of an ongoing issue. The lack of a documented pest control policy and the presence of pests in resident rooms contributed to the deficiency.