The cafeteria at St. John’s Health Center in Santa Monica was shut down this week after a health inspector found a cockroach infestation in the kitchen, according to county health officials.
At least 10 live cockroaches were found in the kitchen for the cafeteria on the second floor of the hospital in the 2100 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.
Officials at the Westside hospital expect to reopen the cafeteria Saturday. In the meantime, patients’ visitors have been provided with a list of local restaurants, a hospital spokeswoman said in remarks reported by the Los Angeles Times.
Patient meals are prepared in another section of the hospital.
St. John’s owners, Providence Health & Services, blamed the hot weather for the infestation and issued an apology.
