Failure to Maintain Effective Pest Control for Roach Infestation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective pest control program to ensure the building was free of insects, specifically roaches. During a tour of the facility, surveyors observed two large dead roaches on the floor behind a water dispenser and a live cockroach crawling from under the water machine in the staff breakroom. Shortly thereafter, another roach was seen crawling from underneath the refrigerator in the same breakroom. Staff present in the breakroom, including a CNA and housekeepers, reported that roaches had been an ongoing problem in that area and that they saw roaches daily while eating lunch. One housekeeper stated she killed roaches when she saw them and then reported the sightings to her supervisor, who provided pesticide spray for her to use. A resident with anoxic brain damage, moderately impaired cognition, and dependence on staff for multiple activities of daily living reported seeing a couple of large roaches crawling across the wall in his room about three weeks prior and stated he informed the Maintenance Supervisor. Staff interviews confirmed that nurses and housekeeping staff had reported roaches in the breakroom to the Maintenance Supervisor, who acknowledged awareness of a roach problem in that area but stated he had not seen evidence of roaches in resident rooms. The Administrator stated he was not aware of roaches in the breakroom. Review of the facility’s pest control policy indicated the facility was to maintain an ongoing pest control program to ensure the building was free of insects and rodents, but observations and staff and resident reports showed the presence of roaches in both a resident room and the staff breakroom.
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