Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control and Kitchen Sanitation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program in the kitchen, as evidenced by repeated observations of live and dead roaches, food debris, and trash in various areas of the kitchen. Despite having a pest control policy and regular visits from a pest control company, documentation of these visits lacked details on areas treated, recommendations, or findings. Observations during meal preparation revealed multiple instances of roaches crawling on food prep areas, under sinks, behind ovens, and inside storage bins containing serving utensils. Food debris, trash, and dirty dishes were found under and around kitchen equipment, with visible buildup of dirt and debris in floor grout and drains. Staff interviews indicated that cleaning duties were expected to be completed daily, with food debris not to be left overnight. However, observations contradicted these expectations, as food debris and trash were present during early morning meal prep and on subsequent days. The Dietary Manager stated that she had not seen any roaches and reiterated that staff should clean before leaving, but was shown evidence of dead roaches and debris by the surveyor. The Administrator reported that pest control recommendations, if any, were not communicated to her but possibly to the maintenance supervisor. The lack of thorough cleaning and failure to address food debris and trash contributed to the presence of roaches in the kitchen. The pest control program was not effectively implemented, as evidenced by ongoing pest activity and insufficient documentation or follow-up on pest control visits. The facility census at the time was 121.