Kingston Health Care Center: Rodent Infestation - PA
KINGSTON, PA - Third Avenue Health & Rehab Center was cited for failing to maintain an effective pest control program during a health inspection that revealed widespread evidence of rodent activity throughout the facility, including resident bedrooms, common areas, and food service areas.
Extensive Mouse Activity Found Throughout Facility
Inspectors documented mouse droppings in multiple locations during their May 30, 2025 visit to the Kingston nursing home. The most concerning discoveries occurred in areas where vulnerable residents spend significant time, including bedrooms and dining spaces.
In one resident's bedroom, inspectors found over 20 mouse-like droppings concentrated in the window-side corner. The facility's Assistant Director of Nursing was present during this observation and confirmed the findings. Another resident's room contained several droppings scattered on the floor, against the wall, and behind the bed near the window.
The dining room presented particularly alarming conditions for infection control. Inspectors documented more than 50 mouse droppings underneath a cabinet along the kitchen-side wall where residents regularly take their meals. This discovery raises significant concerns about food safety and contamination risks in an environment serving medically fragile individuals.
Food Service Areas Compromised by Rodent Activity
The facility's kitchen, where all resident meals are prepared, showed clear signs of ongoing mouse activity. Inspectors found droppings in the dry storage area beneath metal storage racks where food supplies are kept. Additionally, mouse droppings were discovered scattered among silicone caulking pieces near a wall crevice, suggesting mice had either established an entry point or were attempting to access wall spaces within the food preparation area.
These findings represent serious breaches of basic sanitation requirements in healthcare facilities. Food service areas must maintain strict cleanliness standards to prevent foodborne illnesses, which can be particularly dangerous for elderly residents with compromised immune systems.
Health Risks and Medical Implications
Rodent infestations in healthcare facilities create multiple pathways for disease transmission. The Centers for Disease Control identifies rodents as carriers of numerous diseases that can spread to humans through direct contact with droppings, urine, or saliva. These pathogens can cause respiratory infections, gastrointestinal illnesses, and other serious health complications.
Elderly nursing home residents face elevated risks from rodent-borne diseases due to age-related immune system changes and underlying health conditions. Many residents take medications that suppress immune function or have chronic conditions like diabetes that impair their ability to fight infections. Even minimal exposure to contaminated surfaces or airborne particles from dried rodent waste can trigger serious illness in this vulnerable population.
The presence of rodents in food service areas amplifies these risks significantly. Mice can contaminate food supplies, cooking surfaces, and serving areas with bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. Cross-contamination can occur when food preparation continues in environments where rodent activity is present, potentially affecting multiple residents simultaneously.
Data source: This article is based on inspection data downloaded directly from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) via Medicare.gov. CMS releases inspection reports in bulk; we publish the findings as documented by state surveyors in the official Form CMS-2567 Statement of Deficiencies.
Plan of correction: The CMS report we receive does not include the facility's plan of correction. Facilities submit plans of correction separately to state survey agencies and those responses may not be reflected in CMS data at the time of publication. The absence of a plan of correction in our data does not mean one was not filed. Readers who want information about corrective steps taken are encouraged to contact the facility directly or their state survey agency.
Corrections may have occurred: Inspection reports reflect conditions observed on the date of the survey. Facilities may have implemented corrections, staffing changes, additional training, or other remediation since the report was issued. We report what CMS provides and encourage readers to seek current information from the facility.
Editorial process: Inspection findings are extracted from CMS source documents and synthesized using AI, reviewed for factual accuracy against the original report by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: September 19, 2026 · Our methodology
THIRD AVENUE HEALTH & REHAB CENTER in KINGSTON, PA was cited for violations during a health inspection on May 30, 2025.
The most concerning discoveries occurred in areas where vulnerable residents spend significant time, including bedrooms and dining spaces.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.