Uncontrolled Fly Infestation and Poor Kitchen Maintenance Affecting Food Sanitation
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified a deficiency in sanitary food service conditions when the facility failed to control a persistent fly problem in the kitchen and dining areas and did not maintain kitchen surfaces, flooring, and doors in good repair. Observations showed flies in the kitchen landing on peaches in bowls and on salads being prepped, as well as clusters of flies on all surfaces and on food being prepared and served. Dead flies were seen on the floors by all prep areas and on a fly sticky strip hanging in the kitchen bathroom with the door open. The wall behind the cook stove had a section of the corner pushed in with missing drywall, and the kitchen flooring at the serving line was peeling away from the floor, with caked-on debris lodged between the laminate and the concrete, creating an area that could not be adequately cleaned. The back delivery door to the kitchen was lopsided in the frame, leaving a 1.5–2 inch gap that allowed flies and insects to enter the kitchen. The Dietary Manager reported being aware for about a week that the wall behind the stove was falling in but had not reported it to maintenance, and also knew the flooring by the serving line had been steadily coming up and was hard to keep clean, yet had not reported the floor issues. The Dietary Manager stated the exit door did not fit correctly, believed this was the main reason for the fly problem, and acknowledged the issue had been reported to maintenance at some point but had not submitted a new work order. A staff member stated flies were always a problem in the kitchen and that they were constantly swatting flies off food and prep areas, describing the fly problem as ongoing despite fly traps and exterminator involvement. Two residents reported that flies while eating were “ridiculous,” annoying, and that they did not like flies landing on their food or touching their faces while they tried to eat. The Maintenance Director, who had started two weeks prior, was unaware of the wall, floor, or door issues but acknowledged a fly problem, especially in the kitchen and dining room. The Administrator was aware of the fly problem and the misaligned kitchen door but was unaware of the wall and flooring issues, and stated residents have the right to live in a home without flies continually landing on them and their food.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.