Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control in Kitchen
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of roaches in the kitchen. Observations during a tour of the kitchen revealed roaches coming out of the floor drain under the 2-compartment sink. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the roach problem began when construction of a new parking lot started, and that roaches had been seen in the kitchen since then. Staff reported the issue to the Dietary Manager (DM), who in turn notified the Maintenance Director and the Administrator. The facility had been fumigated the previous week, but roaches continued to be observed in the kitchen. A review of the facility's pest control log showed that the facility had been fumigated monthly from January to May and twice in June for various pests, including roaches. The facility's Infection Control Policy/Procedures required an environment free of pests, with additional pest control visits when problems are detected and prompt reporting to the administrator. Despite these policies, the presence of roaches in the kitchen persisted, indicating that the pest control measures in place were not effective in keeping the kitchen free of pests.