Failure to Address Fly Infestation in Resident Room
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program as required by its own policy, resulting in a resident with a left facial mass being found with maggot-like organisms on the mass. The resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, hypertension, depression, and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, was observed on multiple occasions to have maggots and flies present on and around the facial wound. Nursing documentation described ongoing issues with maggots and flies, including observations of flies hovering around the resident and worms emerging from the wound. Despite these findings, there was no evidence that pest control services were increased or that the resident's room was specifically treated for flies during the period in question. Review of pest management inspection reports revealed that while general pest control treatments were conducted monthly in common facility areas, there was no documentation of targeted treatment for flies in the affected resident's room. Staff interviews confirmed the presence of flies in the room and indicated that the exterminator was not asked to address flies in resident rooms. The facility's pest control policy required a reporting system for issues arising between scheduled visits and treatment as indicated, but this was not implemented in response to the fly infestation in the resident's room.