Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement and maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of ants in resident rooms, on the exterior perimeter of a resident hall, and in multiple locations throughout the building. In one instance, a resident with multiple medical conditions, including hypertension, diabetes, and a surgical site, was found to have ants in her room and on her bed, leading to two pinpoint bites on her thighs. The nurse who discovered the ants noted that the insects were coming from the window seal, and the resident had open food in the room at the time. Documentation confirmed the presence of ant bites, and the resident was subsequently moved to another facility. Observations and interviews revealed that an ant hill was present on the exterior perimeter near a resident hall, close to a resident room window. The Maintenance Director acknowledged the ant hill and reported an increase in work orders for ants, attributing it to hot weather. The facility's pest control company provided monthly services and responded to additional requests, but the pest control binder and maintenance logs were not consistently shared with the pest control company. The Maintenance Director handled most complaints internally and did not provide the maintenance log, which tracked pest-related work orders, to the pest control company. This lack of communication limited the pest control company's awareness of all pest issues in the facility. Record reviews showed multiple entries in both the pest control binder and the maintenance task report documenting recurring ant problems in various rooms and common areas. Staff interviews indicated that pest sightings were reported through a QR code system, but these reports were not always transferred to the pest control binder or communicated to the pest control company. The facility did not have a written pest control policy, and the Administrator confirmed that logs from the QR code system were not routinely provided to the pest control company. The absence of a comprehensive and coordinated pest control program resulted in ongoing pest issues and placed residents at risk for infection and decreased quality of life.