Embassy of Newark: Maggots Found in Resident Wound - OH
The resident, a 20-year patient with autism and multiple medical conditions including diabetes and an amputated right leg, had developed a new wound on the bottom of her left foot by July 17. When nursing assistants found the open area that evening, they observed maggots crawling in the wound bed.
"There were also some maggots present in Resident #75's wound bed when she first observed the wound on 07/17/25," Licensed Practical Nurse Unit Manager #215 told inspectors. She said the wound bed was clean the next day.
But flies persisted throughout the resident's room for weeks afterward.
Federal inspectors observed flies in the resident's room and hallway on August 11. Three days later, flies were spotted on the resident's bed. During a dressing change on August 19, flies buzzed around the room while two nurse managers treated the wound, with both nurses confirming the insects' presence.
The resident had been hoarding food and trash in her room, creating conditions that attracted the pests, according to Certified Nursing Assistant #125. Staff had to repeatedly clean out accumulated items.
"Resident #75 often had flies in her room because she would hoard food and trash and the staff had to go in and clean her room," CNA #125 told inspectors.
The 105-bed facility failed to maintain a pest control program that would have prevented insects from infesting a vulnerable resident's living space and wound, inspectors determined.
Resident #75 has lived at Embassy of Newark for nearly 20 years, since January 2005. Her medical conditions include squamous cell carcinoma of the head and face, autism, diabetes, anxiety, high blood pressure, and chronic ulcers on her left leg. She requires assistance with eating and depends on staff for all other daily activities.
The resident is incontinent and receives hospice care. Her cognitive abilities remain intact, with testing showing she can communicate and understand her situation.
Two nursing assistants, CNA #146 and CNA #125, discovered the maggot-infested wound while providing care on July 17. They immediately reported the finding to nursing staff. Both assistants told inspectors they had never encountered maggots in wounds before.
Earlier that same day, LPN #403 had performed a dressing change on the resident's left lower leg during the day shift. She said she lifted the resident's leg and had a clear view of the bottom of the foot but saw no new wound at that time.
The timing suggests the wound developed rapidly between the day and evening shifts on July 17.
The resident had been receiving treatment for chronic cellulitis of her lower left leg and foot before the new wound appeared. She was taking antibiotics to fight infection and diuretics to reduce swelling.
By the time inspectors observed a dressing change on August 19, the wound bed appeared clean with no debris. However, flies continued circling the room as LPN Unit Managers #215 and #240 completed the treatment.
The persistent fly problem stemmed from the resident's hoarding behavior, which staff struggled to control despite regular cleaning efforts. Food scraps and trash accumulated in the room, creating breeding grounds for insects that then contaminated the sterile wound care environment.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain pest control programs that prevent mice, insects, and other pests from compromising resident care. The presence of maggots in a diabetic wound represents a serious breakdown in infection control and environmental safety.
Diabetic wounds are particularly vulnerable to complications because poor circulation and nerve damage can mask symptoms and slow healing. Contamination by insects can introduce dangerous bacteria and worsen infections that may already be difficult to treat.
The inspection occurred in response to complaints filed with state health officials. Federal investigators found the facility failed to protect one of six residents they examined for wound care compliance.
Resident #75 continues living in the same room where flies were repeatedly observed, raising questions about whether the underlying pest control problems have been resolved.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Embassy of Newark from 2025-08-21 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
EMBASSY OF NEWARK in NEWARK, OH was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 21, 2025.
When nursing assistants found the open area that evening, they observed maggots crawling in the wound bed.
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.