Failure to Implement Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement an effective pest management program, resulting in the presence of gnats in resident rooms and the kitchen area. In one resident's room, multiple gnats were observed flying around two trash cans near the entryway, with more than ten gnats crawling on the outside of a white trash can. The trash can was noted to be full, and the maintenance director attributed the presence of gnats to the trash not being emptied by CNAs. The same resident was also observed with gnats on his bed sheet and around a partially open bag of restaurant food on his bedside table, with several gnats crawling on and inside the food bag and on the wall nearby. Another resident reported having a problem with gnats, and three gnats were observed flying around her bed and bedside table. During a tour of the kitchen, three to four gnats and a large mosquito were observed flying near the handwashing sink in the dishwashing area. The dietary manager confirmed the presence of gnats and a mosquito in this area. A pest control service inspection report documented the presence of fruit flies in the main kitchen area and noted that the kitchen floor needed to be regrouped to prevent fruit flies from breeding. The facility's pest control policy emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy environment and specifically mentioned the need to keep trash cans lined and emptied regularly.