Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of live pests such as roaches, flies, and ants in resident rooms and hallways. Observations included a live roach and flies in a resident's room, as well as a mound of ants or crawling insects in an empty room. Staff interviews confirmed that pests were seen throughout the facility, and pest control measures were not effective in eliminating the problem. The pest control logs documented significant roach activity and infestations in multiple rooms, with recommendations for clean-out services. A resident with multiple medical conditions, including encephalopathy, dysphagia, and moderate cognitive impairment, reported seeing pests in her room from time to time and stated that she would notify staff when this occurred. Housekeeping staff acknowledged seeing flies, gnats, and roaches in various areas and reported these sightings to administration and maintenance. However, there was no permanently assigned housekeeper for certain hallways, and cleaning assignments were inconsistently completed, with some areas not cleaned until later in the day. The facility experienced recent turnover in housekeeping and laundry staff, including the loss of the housekeeping supervisor, which contributed to lapses in daily cleaning and pest control oversight. The maintenance director and other staff indicated that the pest control program was ineffective, with ongoing complaints from residents and staff about pests. Facility policies required regular cleaning and an ongoing pest control program, but these were not consistently implemented, leading to the observed deficiencies.