F0925

E

Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control Resulting in Mice Infestation

Carlisle, Iowa Survey Completed on 01-29-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program to keep the building free from vermin infestation. Staff interviews revealed an ongoing mice problem in multiple areas, including the staff break room and resident care areas. An LPN reported that mice had eaten a snack stored in her personal locker in the break room about a week prior, and facility work orders documented a mouse in a resident room that was marked as closed. During observations, surveyors found mice droppings in four of six drawers of a resident’s clothing dresser, where socks, jeans, and personal items were stored, and in the corner of a vacant resident room near the heat register.

Additional staff interviews and observations showed that the mice problem extended to common and storage areas. The Maintenance Director acknowledged an ongoing mice issue and reported that staff had recently caught live mice in their work area. A housekeeping aide stated that the mice problem was so severe that multiple items in the Activity Room storage closets, including Christmas decorations, were torn and chewed, and staff saw a live mouse jump out of one of the boxes. She also reported that when a recliner cushion in a resident’s room was pulled out, a large amount of mice droppings and some soft toys had to be discarded. During an observation of the Activity Room with three residents present, multiple mice droppings, both black and green, were noted around the room near the entrance door and a nightstand, with debris behind the nightstand. The Administrator confirmed that mice droppings were first noted at the beginning of the month and that the facility had a pest control policy stating it would maintain an effective pest control program for common household pests and rodents.