KANSAS CITY, MO - Federal inspectors documented widespread safety violations at Parkview Healthcare after finding mouse droppings in resident rooms and observing mice running through the facility during a February 2025 inspection.
Mouse Infestation Disrupts Residents' Sleep and Safety
The most disturbing findings involved a persistent mouse problem that had plagued residents for months. Inspectors documented four residents directly affected by the rodent infestation, with one resident reporting that "mice ran over his/her feet at night" and stating it bothered them significantly.
In one resident's room, inspectors observed "a large area of the floor covered in mouse droppings" behind a nightstand. Another resident reported that mice had gotten into their bag of bread, while a third resident had two mouse traps in their room and stated they "saw mice all the time." A dead mouse was discovered in one resident's room the morning of the inspection.
The mouse problem wasn't contained to resident areas. Pest control reports from March 2024 through January 2025 showed ongoing treatment attempts, with the most recent report documenting "evidence of rodent activity" and "recorded capture" in interior traps.
Facility Ignored Repeated Pest Control Recommendations
Professional pest control services had identified the root causes of the infestation but the facility failed to implement recommended fixes. Critical issues included:
- A half-inch gap under the kitchen door that remained unaddressed since August 2024 - Holes near heat registers and baseboards throughout the facility - Trash accumulation creating harborage opportunities for rodents - Multiple doors requiring rodent-proofing
The Regional Maintenance Consultant, recently hired to address these issues, acknowledged that previous maintenance staff had failed to prioritize these problems despite recommendations spanning nearly a year.
Infection Control Breakdowns During Medication Administration
Inspectors observed serious infection control violations during medication rounds that put residents at risk for disease transmission. A Certified Medication Technician failed to sanitize blood pressure cuffs between residents and did not perform proper hand hygiene before medication preparation.
During one observation period, the technician used the same blood pressure cuff on three different residents without cleaning it between uses. When interviewed, the technician incorrectly stated the cuff should be cleaned every 4-5 residents, then corrected themselves to acknowledge it should be cleaned after every resident.
These infection control lapses create significant health risks in nursing home environments where residents often have compromised immune systems. Cross-contamination through medical equipment can spread respiratory infections, skin conditions, and other communicable diseases throughout the facility.
Food Safety Violations Threaten Resident Health
Kitchen operations revealed multiple food safety hazards that could lead to foodborne illness. Inspectors found the handwashing sink water only reached 72 degrees Fahrenheit, well below the FDA requirement of 85 degrees for food service areas.
Food preparation equipment was contaminated with residue and improper cleaning practices. A food processor contained visible food debris, the can opener had black residue on the blade, and the juice dispenser head was "heavily soiled with visible juice pulp and smelled of sour juice."
Temperature control failures included hot food items served at 117-128 degrees Fahrenheit, below the safe minimum of 135 degrees required to prevent bacterial growth. Prepared foods lacked proper dating, with cooked pork and opened health shakes found without date labels in refrigerated storage.
During meal service, desserts were transported uncovered through hallways on carts, exposing food to potential contamination. This practice violated basic food safety protocols designed to protect residents from illness.
Environmental Hazards Affect Resident Quality of Life
The facility's physical condition created an unsafe and uncomfortable environment. Two residents reported having no heat in their room "all winter" and were observed wearing jackets and sweatshirts indoors. The facility wanted them to relocate but the residents preferred to remain in their room despite the cold conditions.
Multiple rooms showed signs of neglect including broken mirrors, holes in walls, peeling paint, damaged ceiling tiles, exposed heating elements, and broken light fixtures. One resident specifically complained about wall conditions, stating "The wall bugs me, it has been like this for a while."
These environmental deficiencies go beyond cosmetic concerns - they affect residents' dignity, comfort, and safety. Broken heating systems in winter create health risks for elderly residents who may be more susceptible to cold-related complications.
Systematic Failures in Quality Oversight
The facility lacked a Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) plan required to guide care services and measure improvements. The Administrator, hired in January 2025, admitted "We do not know what a QAPI plan is and have never heard of that before."
This absence of systematic quality monitoring helps explain how multiple serious violations persisted without correction. Effective QAPI programs identify problems early and implement corrective actions before they affect resident care and safety.
Immunization and Administrative Compliance Issues
The facility failed to offer pneumococcal vaccination to five residents, potentially leaving them vulnerable to preventable pneumonia. The Infection Preventionist acknowledged being behind on vaccination programs and stated plans to assess all residents for needed immunizations.
Administrative violations included improperly written arbitration agreements that failed to inform 29 residents of their right to refuse binding arbitration. The agreements also lacked provisions for neutral arbitrator selection, potentially disadvantaging residents in future disputes.
Antibiotic Monitoring Gaps Risk Resident Health
One resident received antibiotic eye drops daily for over a year without a specified stop date, despite the medication being prescribed for post-cataract surgery recovery that typically requires only weeks of treatment. The facility's antibiotic tracking system failed to identify this inappropriate long-term use.
Prolonged unnecessary antibiotic use increases risks of resistance development and adverse medication effects, particularly concerning in elderly populations who may have reduced kidney function and increased sensitivity to drug side effects.
Looking Forward
These violations demonstrate systemic breakdowns in basic nursing home operations affecting resident safety, comfort, and health. The facility must implement comprehensive corrective actions addressing pest control, infection prevention, food safety, environmental maintenance, and quality oversight systems to ensure resident protection and regulatory compliance.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Parkview Healthcare from 2025-02-21 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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