Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia, Wash., closed its kitchen and cafeteria after finding evidence of rodents, according to an article on The Olympian website.
The kitchen closed on a Friday night and remained closed Monday as pest control efforts continued in and around the kitchen.
Patients’ food was being prepared and brought in from Providence Centralia Hospital, while a sign at the cafeteria entrance directed people to the first-floor Starbucks.
The rodents in this case are roof rats. The roof rat population in the area has grown significantly over the past decade, with local pest control companies reporting the rats are now customers’ top complaint.
5 Reasons Engineering is the Edge in Healthcare Master Planning
Building an AI-Ready Healthcare Facility
Family Medical Associates of Raleigh Reports April 2026 Data Breach
Every Detail Matters: A Patient's Story of Healing, Hope and Healthcare Facilities
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center Tops Off New 11-Story Tower