Failure to Implement Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program as required by its own policy, resulting in multiple reported and observed sightings of mice and mouse droppings in various areas, including resident rooms and common areas. The pest control policy required a written agreement with an outside pest service for regular and comprehensive pest control, including both interior and exterior measures, and a system for reporting and addressing pest issues between scheduled visits. Despite this, the pest control service only provided rodent control measures for the exterior of the facility, and no interior rodent pest control actions were documented, even after repeated reports of mice inside the building. Staff and residents reported frequent sightings of mice and mouse droppings in resident rooms, hallways, and activity areas over a period of several weeks. Specific observations included mouse droppings in residents' clothing drawers and closets, mice running in hallways and rooms, and mice jumping out of a resident's wardrobe drawer. Staff consistently documented these sightings in a pest log, but the pest control technician was unaware of these reports and had not reviewed or signed the logbook. Residents and staff reported that traps placed in rooms were ineffective, and the issue persisted nightly, particularly in the back hall and specific resident rooms. Interviews with staff, including housekeepers, CNAs, and the DON, confirmed ongoing pest activity and a lack of effective response. The pest control technician stated that he was only responsible for exterior rodent control and was not made aware of interior pest issues until the surveyor's inquiry. The administrator was unsure if the pest control company reviewed the pest logbook and acknowledged that the company had not signed it. The facility's failure to coordinate and implement interior pest control measures, despite ongoing reports and documentation of pest activity, led to the uncorrected deficiency.