Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program as evidenced by widespread observations of roaches in multiple resident rooms, a guest bathroom, and the kitchen. Direct observations included roaches emerging from behind and inside an oxygen concentrator, inside a nightstand drawer, on windowsills, and on the walls and floors of several rooms. In the kitchen, roaches were seen in the room with the refrigerators. Review of the pest control maintenance log showed that routine pest control visits were scheduled, but there were gaps in addressing ongoing infestations. Interviews with staff and residents revealed ongoing issues with roaches for several months. The Maintenance Director and Administrator both acknowledged that it was the Administrator's responsibility to call pest control for additional visits, but this had not been done. The Pest Control Technician reported being unable to access certain areas due to locked doors or staff reluctance to move residents, and noted a persistent leak in the kitchen that contributed to the infestation. A resident reported finding bugs in her food and keeping bug spray to kill roaches, while a housekeeping aide confirmed the ongoing problem.