Agency recommends changes to outcomes
The report into the mouse infestation at Queensland home in April suggests that all facilities conduct a pest risk assessment.
The Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency has recommended an overhaul of two of the 44 expected outcomes.
In its report on the mouse infestation at a Queensland nursing home in April, the agency asked the department to review the wording of expected outcomes 4.4 and 4.5 – which deal with living environment and occupational health and safety.
The agency recommended that all aged care homes conduct an assessment of their risk of pest infestation and implement a management plan if necessary.
It wants the Department of Health and Ageing to consider developing a standard risk assessment tool and pest management plan for the industry as well.
The report said the state-run Karingal Nursing Home had an inadequate strategy for dealing with large numbers of mice and the facility was issued with a subsequent notice of non-compliance.
Reports of mice in the facility had been made since it opened in April 2006 but the problem began to intensify in November 2008 and reached its peak in April this year.
For several years, baiting has been carried out in paddocks around the home but when baits were not laid this year, the report said the facility failed to take sufficient action.
Although the home increased its own internal pest baiting strategy in March and April, the agency criticised it for not having a coordinated response.
“There was no systematic process to check how much bait was being eaten, how many mice were being sighted in the home or how many were being killed,” the report said.
“This meant that the extent of the infestation was not understood and action was delayed.”
However the report did acknowledge that aid was provided immediately to the resident who was bitten on 26 April.
Monitoring of the resident was increased and his health was assessed by registered staff and a medical officer who prescribed treatment.
After the incident, the home developed an action plan with public health officials, consulted a pest controller.
It also began to step up the monitoring of bait stations and introduced glue boards to trap mice.
The agency recommended that Karingal Nursing Home make modifications to the home and remove surrounding debris.
It also called for further education for staff about the risk of pests, along with a review of the home’s reporting protocols.
Federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, said work to address the recommendations is well underway.
“All measures necessary to protect people living in this home and provide them with a safe environment should be implemented and maintained,” she said.
Mrs Elliot has asked the Department of Health and Ageing’s Queensland manager to monitor the home’s progress.
A copy of the report has been sent to the Queensland Minister for Health.
