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 interviews confirming the presence of ants in several resident rooms. Six residents were directly affected, with ants found on personal items such as eyeglasses, beds, facial tissue boxes, wheelchairs, and bedside tables. Residents reported the issue to staff and, in one case, attempted to contact the Administrator regarding the ant infestation. Staff, including a CNA and the Maintenance Director, confirmed the presence of ants and acknowledged that the problem had been ongoing, particularly due to recent wet weather conditions. Observations conducted in the affected residents' rooms revealed ants crawling on floors, bedside tables, under beds, and on window sills. Multiple ant traps were also noted in some rooms, indicating ongoing attempts to address the infestation. Review of the facility's pest control policy showed that the facility is required to maintain an ongoing pest control program to keep the building free of insects and rodents, but the observed conditions demonstrated that this program was not effective at the time of the survey.