Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control for Fly Infestation in Resident Areas
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program to control a significant fly population in resident care areas, despite having a written Pest Control Program policy and contracted pest control services. Pest control inspection documentation showed fly activity on an interior bug light in early December, with no detailed findings documented on a subsequent December visit. On the day of survey, multiple observations revealed numerous flies in and around several residents and their rooms. One cognitively impaired resident was observed in bed with flies buzzing around and crawling on the resident’s hand, legs, body, and bed linens, including five to six flies on the resident’s legs and body during an observation with the DON. Another resident with intact cognition was observed in bed with flies on the forehead and neck, several flies buzzing around the resident, and approximately six flies on the floor beside the bed; later the same day, additional flies were observed around the bed and on the floor in that room. A third cognitively intact resident, seated in a wheelchair in their room, had a fly land on their head and reported that flies were always present in the room and were bothersome, keeping a fly swatter at the end of the bed and keeping the door closed to try to keep flies out. A fourth resident, also in a wheelchair in their room, reported that flies had been bad and had bothered them the previous night while in bed, and a family member present stated they had killed about eight flies during that visit while swatting at flies on the floor. Staff interviews showed that housekeeping expected staff to report flies to a supervisor, and an RN reported that flies had been “everywhere and bad” after a recent warm spell, that they had informed the Administrator and DON about the fly problem, and that flies put residents at risk for skin infections and contamination of food. The DON stated that pest control monitored flies, that staff should report flies to maintenance, that she had not heard recent complaints, and that flies caused infection control issues and a non-homelike environment. The Maintenance Supervisor acknowledged ongoing issues with flies, reliance on bug lights and pest control guidance, and the expectation that staff report flies to him, while the Administrator stated that pest control visited monthly, staff were expected to report flies to maintenance, and staff were expected to kill flies as needed.
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