EL CAJON, CA - County health officials temporarily shut down the kitchen at San Diego Post-Acute Center after discovering extensive evidence of rodent infestation in food preparation areas where meals for nursing home residents were prepared.
Health Inspector Discovers Rodent Evidence Behind Cooking Equipment
During a routine inspection on May 14, 2025, a San Diego County Environmental Health Inspector found multiple rodent droppings behind the large oven in the food preparation area and additional evidence in the entry room to the dry storage area. The discovery prompted immediate action to protect residents' health and safety.
The county health department issued a cease and desist order, requiring the facility to "eliminate all rodent activity and harborage immediately" and "thoroughly clean and sanitize all food contact surfaces and impacted areas." The kitchen remained closed until the facility could demonstrate that all evidence of vermin had been eliminated.
A county environmental health inspector stated during the investigation that he "found vermin rodent droppings behind the large oven in the food preparation area and one in the entry room to the dry storage area."
Multiple Entry Points Created Pathway for Rodents
The inspection revealed several structural deficiencies that allowed rodents to access food preparation areas. Investigators identified unsealed floor drains and large openings that provided easy entry points for vermin.
During the facility tour, the Registered Dietitian and Director of Food and Nutrition Services acknowledged "an unsealed/uncovered floor drain at the back wall sink area behind the ice machine, and an unsealed/uncovered large floor hole inside the dry storage room." The large hole was covered only by a removable gray rubber bucket that could be easily lifted.
Kitchen staff reported previous rodent sightings, with one employee stating they "saw one at the floor sink drain behind the wall of the ice machine a while ago too." The evening cook mentioned that staff had been told "the rats and mice were getting in the kitchen through the produce company deliveries."
Months of Unaddressed Maintenance Issues
Pest control company reports from January through May 2025 revealed a pattern of unaddressed structural problems that contributed to the infestation. The facility's maintenance director acknowledged receiving biweekly reports with recommendations but admitted he "has not been able to complete all the repair recommendations made by the previous pest control company."
Documented maintenance issues included: - Loose and broken tiles requiring replacement (identified January 2, 2025) - Cracks and crevices needing sealing (identified February 6, 2025) - Multiple gaps requiring repair (identified February 20, April 17, and May 15, 2025)
All these issues remained marked as "pending" throughout the five-month period, creating ongoing opportunities for rodent access to food preparation areas.
Health Risks from Rodent Contamination in Food Service
Rodent infestations in food service areas pose significant health risks to vulnerable nursing home populations. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, rats are known vectors for serious diseases including Hantavirus, which can cause fever with kidney dysfunction and potentially fatal complications.
The 2022 Federal Food and Drug Administration Food Code specifically addresses this concern, stating that "insects and rodents carry disease-causing microorganisms which may be transmitted to humans by contamination of food and food-contact surfaces."
Medical risks from rodent contamination include: - Bacterial infections from contaminated surfaces - Foodborne illness transmission - Respiratory complications from airborne particles - Increased infection risk for immunocompromised residents
Nursing home residents face elevated risks due to weakened immune systems, chronic health conditions, and dependence on facility-prepared meals for proper nutrition.
Facility Acknowledges Sanitation Failures
During interviews with facility leadership, the Administrator, Director of Nursing, and Registered Dietitian "all acknowledged the kitchen unsanitary conditions regarding uncovered floor drains and openings should have been addressed by the facility staff to prevent the presence of rodents in the kitchen."
The maintenance director recognized that "the open holes and floor sink drains did make it easier for rodents to enter the kitchen area" and acknowledged that cluttered equipment at the garbage area "may help rodents come towards the facility building."
Required Industry Standards for Pest Control
Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain sanitary food service operations free from pest infestations. The facility's own pest control policy, dating from 2001, states the requirement to "maintain an on-going pest control program to ensure that the building is kept free of insects and rodents."
Standard pest prevention measures include: - Regular structural maintenance to eliminate entry points - Proper waste management and storage - Professional pest control monitoring - Immediate response to evidence of infestation - Thorough cleaning and sanitization protocols
The facility's failure to address known structural vulnerabilities over multiple months violated these basic sanitary requirements and potentially exposed residents to health risks.
Kitchen Operations Resume After Remediation
Following the closure order, the facility contracted with a pest control company to place bait boxes throughout the kitchen area. Kitchen staff conducted extensive cleaning and sanitization of all affected areas on the evening of May 14, 2025.
County health officials permitted kitchen operations to resume on May 15, 2025, after verifying that immediate remediation measures had been implemented. However, the facility must address the underlying structural issues to prevent future infestations and ensure long-term compliance with health regulations.
The incident highlights the critical importance of proactive maintenance in nursing home food service operations, where any compromise in sanitary conditions can directly impact the health and safety of vulnerable residents who depend on these facilities for their daily nutritional needs.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for San Diego Post-acute Center from 2025-05-15 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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