F0812

L

Unsanitary Kitchen Conditions and Unaddressed Cockroach Infestation

Scranton, Pennsylvania Survey Completed on 01-23-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain the kitchen in a sanitary condition and free of pest infestation while preparing, storing, and serving food for all residents. During a kitchen tour, surveyors observed debris and rodent droppings on the dishwashing area floor and along the perimeter floors throughout the kitchen. Under the dishwasher, the floor was soiled and contained used latex gloves, garbage, bottle caps, a fork, and rodent droppings. These conditions were present in active food service and dishwashing areas where food, utensils, and food-contact surfaces are handled.

In the food preparation and tray line service area, surveyors observed seven sticky traps placed on the floor. One trap under the left side of the food preparation area contained five cockroaches, three of which were alive and moving. Another trap on the right side of the kitchen contained five cockroaches, with two alive and moving, and a third trap contained four cockroaches, two of which were alive and moving. These observations showed live and dead cockroaches present in food preparation and storage areas. The report notes that cockroaches are known vectors for disease-causing organisms such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Staphylococcus, and that their presence in these areas created a high risk of contamination of food, utensils, and food-contact surfaces with disease-causing organisms, placing all 135 residents in a situation of Immediate Jeopardy to their health and safety.

Interviews and record reviews showed that the facility had an ongoing pest control contract but did not ensure that cockroach activity in or near the kitchen was specifically addressed. The Director of Dietary Services stated that the outside pest control company had been treating the kitchen for rodents since December 2025, but the area was not being treated to prevent cockroaches. A dietary worker reported not seeing many cockroaches recently but acknowledged having seen them in the past. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that pest control services were requested in December 2025 in response to a rodent infestation and that remediation services twice weekly were recommended. Pest control inspection reports documented that on January 5, 2026, the pest management provider identified cockroaches at a coffee station located about 50 feet from the kitchen entrance and identified a potential rodent entry point in the dishwasher room, but there was no documentation that cockroach-specific treatment was initiated. The pest control provider confirmed observing German cockroach activity at the coffee station and stated that routine services consisted of perimeter spraying, with no targeted cockroach treatment areas identified. The facility did not provide documented evidence that staff were monitoring for cockroaches in the kitchen or that increased sanitation measures or environmental controls were implemented to ensure food was stored, prepared, distributed, and served under sanitary conditions and free of pest infestation.

Removal Plan

• Dispose of exposed food items
• Cease food preparation
• Transition dietary services to an outside vendor until pest mitigation was completed
• Activate pest control services for immediate treatment of source areas, including clean-out treatment, aerosol application, and gel treatments
• Place the kitchen under continuous monitoring by the Director of Dietary Services and the Nursing Home Administrator
• Schedule audits for each meal
• Conduct a comprehensive inspection of the kitchen by a licensed pest control inspector
• Implement aerosol treatment for immediate control and gel application for prevention
• Educate dietary staff on the facility's Pest Control and Kitchen Sanitation Policies and Protocols
• Review all residents for signs and symptoms of foodborne illness
• Initiate audits of pest control logs and environmental monitoring
• Implement inspection and monitoring by the pest control provider