Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control for Ants
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain effective pest control in two of thirteen rooms reviewed, as ants were observed in both rooms on multiple occasions. In one room, ants were seen on a resident's bedside table and floor, despite no open food or debris being present. The responsible party reported having killed ants in the room previously and notifying staff, though could not recall which staff members were informed. Staff interviews revealed that both nursing and housekeeping personnel had observed ants in the affected rooms at various times, but there was inconsistency in reporting these sightings to the appropriate personnel. Extermination invoices showed treatments for cockroaches and rodents, but not specifically for ants, and no pests were found during the most recent exterminator visit prior to the observations. In the second room, ants were observed crawling on an enteral feeding syringe and a towel on the bedside table. Nursing staff acknowledged ongoing issues with ants in resident rooms and stated that maintenance had been notified, but the problem persisted. The Director of Nursing was unaware of the ant issue in these rooms, and the Administrator confirmed that extermination for ants had not occurred because the problem had not been reported to her. The lack of a clear and effective communication process among staff contributed to the failure to address the ant infestation in a timely manner.