Arizona VA Nursing Home Closed Due to Rat Infestation

Recent storms caused rats to move into the facility.

By Mackenna Moralez


A Veteran Affairs nursing home in Arizona was closed last week after rats were discovered in the housing area. 

Nursing home staff noticed a crack in the ceiling on July 22, which caused a deeper investigation to find rat activity on the first and second floors of the facility, according to USA Today. At the time of the investigation, the second floor was not occupied by residents. However, 25 residents were forced to relocate. Phoenix VA medical director Michael Welsh did not specify when the nursing home began moving them. 

“We immediately started planning to get the residents out of that environment to a safer environment,” Stephanie Kendricks, chief nurse of the Phoenix VA center said in a press conference. “For us, we were able to send them [residents] to some of our sister facilities which also follow the same mission, and they are also a veteran center. Patient safety was first.” 

There was no interaction between rodents, staff and residents within the facility. Residents aged from their 70s to 106.  

It is believed that recent monsoon storms caused the pests to move into the nursing home. It has not been determined when the veterans will be able to return to the facility. 



August 16, 2022


Topic Area: Industry News , Infection Control


Recent Posts

How Backup Power Needs Vary Across Healthcare Settings

Manufacturers discuss how evolving codes, technologies and care settings shape healthcare backup power strategies.


Flexible Design Strategies Help OhioHealth Maximize Clinical Space

Doing more with less was key to the renovated facility’s design.


New Bass Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Diseases Opens

The new space not only offers more exam rooms but also features 15 private infusion bays to allow privacy for all patients and their caregivers during treatment.


Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Daytona Beach Opens

Hospital amenities include all private patient rooms, a spacious therapy gym featuring advanced rehabilitation technologies, an activities of daily living suite and more.


What Healthcare Facilities Can Learn from a $49 Million Window Failure

A major window system failure at the University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital sparked a costly replacement project – and a $49.4 million arbitration win.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.