Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program as required by its own policy, which specified the need for an ongoing program to keep the building free of insects and rodents. Despite having a commercial pest control service agreement in place, the facility experienced lapses in service due to non-payment, resulting in the termination of the contract after February 2025. Facility invoices confirmed that pest control services were not provided for several months, and interviews with staff revealed that the lapse was related to payment issues and administrative transitions. During this period, the Maintenance Director attempted to address pest activity using over-the-counter products, but was aware that these efforts were insufficient, especially in rooms with recurrent pest problems. Observations and documentation indicated ongoing pest activity throughout the facility, including ants, roaches, flies, gnats, and spiders in resident rooms, communal areas, the kitchen, and bathrooms. The facility's maintenance log recorded multiple instances of pest sightings over a span of nearly two years, with increased frequency and persistence in certain rooms. During the survey, pests were directly observed by surveyors in various locations, and all residents attending a Resident Council meeting reported ongoing pest issues in their rooms. Staff interviews corroborated that pest activity was a known and recurring problem, and that the facility's response was limited to internal efforts by the Maintenance Director in the absence of professional pest control services. Key staff, including the Administrator, DON, and Maintenance Director, described a process for reporting and addressing pest activity, but acknowledged the lack of a current pest control contract and the challenges in managing pest issues effectively. The former Interim Administrator was unaware of the contract termination and believed payment had resolved the issue, but did not verify the resumption of services. The Certified Dietary Manager also reported periodic pest activity in the kitchen, with staff resorting to makeshift methods to control flies. The combination of service lapses, insufficient internal measures, and ongoing pest activity across multiple areas of the facility led to the deficiency in maintaining an effective pest control program.