Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement an effective pest control program, resulting in the presence of roaches, rodents, and other pests in multiple areas, including resident rooms, the kitchen, common areas, and restrooms. Observations included live and dead roaches in restrooms, hallways, and conference rooms, as well as rodent droppings in a resident's dresser drawer. Pest control service invoices documented ongoing reports of roach and rodent activity in various facility locations, including the beauty salon, break room, kitchen, offices, and resident rooms. Staff and pest control personnel noted gaps and holes in the building structure that allowed pest entry, and rodent bait stations were being used on the facility's exterior. Interviews with residents revealed that several had seen roaches, spiders, and mice in their rooms and common areas, leading to feelings of discomfort and disgust. One resident, who was paraplegic and unable to move independently, reported hearing mice in his room and finding rodent droppings in his drawer, with staff confirming the presence of a rodent and nibbled food. Other residents described seeing bugs and roaches in restrooms and hallways, with one stating that the problem was improving but still present. Staff interviews corroborated these accounts, with several staff members reporting frequent sightings of roaches and at least one nurse and CNA witnessing a rodent in a resident's room. Despite regular pest control visits and emergency call-ins, the facility's pest control measures were insufficient to prevent ongoing pest activity. Facility leadership, including the Administrator, Medical Director, DON, and ADON, were aware of the pest issues through staff and resident reports, pest control invoices, and direct observation. However, there was a lack of timely and effective action to fully address the pest infestations, and some staff initially dismissed resident reports of rodents as delusional. The facility's own policy required measures to prevent, monitor, and address pest activity, but these were not adequately implemented, resulting in continued pest presence and resident exposure.