STATE COLLEGE, PA - Federal inspectors documented extensive food safety violations and infection control deficiencies at Hearthside Rehab Center during a March 14, 2025 inspection, revealing contaminated kitchen equipment, expired food storage, and failure to implement required infection prevention protocols.
Widespread Kitchen Contamination Found
The inspection revealed significant food safety hazards throughout the facility's main kitchen and food preparation areas. Inspectors documented contaminated equipment directly involved in meal preparation, including dish washing racks with broken plastic pieces and hair attached to damaged sections, and clean meal service equipment being contaminated by water dripping from a leaking steamer.
Critical equipment contamination included: - Food contact surfaces exposed to airborne particles through improperly stored utensils hanging from ceiling racks - Significantly blackened and stained oven mitts used by kitchen staff during food preparation - Meal service trays with cracked surfaces and broken edges exposing metal underneath plastic coating - Beverage cups that were completely opaque due to brown staining and limescale buildup
The facility's food storage practices posed additional health risks. Inspectors found expired food items stored beyond safe consumption periods, including hot dogs floating in grease and water for six days past their marked date, and diced carrots in liquid stored for seven days. Kitchen staff interviewed during the inspection expressed uncertainty about proper food storage timelines.
Infrastructure and Sanitation Deficiencies
The kitchen infrastructure showed extensive deterioration that compromised food safety standards. Physical damage to the facility included holes in walls, cracked and broken floor tiles with water and food debris pooling in damaged areas, and missing cove base molding exposing holes in drywall.
Equipment maintenance issues were widespread, affecting both food preparation and storage capabilities. The ice machine cover was hanging off with exposed screws, while portable air conditioning units contained thick accumulations of dust and debris on filters. Multiple pieces of equipment showed significant buildup of food debris, grease, and contamination.
Infection Control Protocol Failures
The facility failed to implement federally mandated Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) for residents requiring special infection control measures. These protocols, required since April 1, 2024, mandate the use of gowns and gloves during high-contact care activities for residents with chronic wounds or indwelling medical devices.
Three residents were identified without proper precautions: - A resident with bilateral lower extremity ulcers and a history of MRSA infection - A resident with a nephrostomy tube for kidney drainage - A resident with a urinary catheter
During initial observations, none of these residents had proper signage, personal protective equipment available in their rooms, or other indicators that staff should follow enhanced infection control procedures. The facility only implemented proper precautions after inspectors identified the deficiencies.
Medical Equipment Storage Violations
Resident care equipment was stored in conditions that could promote infection transmission. Inspectors found raised toilet seats placed directly on bathroom floors in multiple resident rooms, creating potential contamination of medical devices used for resident mobility and hygiene assistance.
The facility's supply storage areas showed concerning conditions, with rusted and deteriorated cabinets used to store protective gowns and medical supplies. Personal hygiene supplies were stored in damaged containers alongside unrelated items, compromising the sterility of medical equipment.
Laundry Area Contamination
The facility's laundry operations presented additional infection control risks. Clean linens were stored directly on the ground behind doors, unprotected from environmental contamination. The laundry area itself showed significant maintenance issues, including broken ceiling panels, damaged windows, and extensive dust accumulation on ventilation equipment.
Chemical leaks were observed behind washing machines, with an unknown blue liquid substance contaminating the floor area where a blanket was being used to absorb the spill. This type of chemical exposure in areas where resident linens are processed creates potential health risks.
Nourishment Room Safety Concerns
A nursing unit nourishment room revealed multiple food safety violations affecting direct resident care. Unlabeled food containers with unknown contents and dates were stored alongside medical supplies in deteriorated cabinets. The refrigerator contained resident food items without proper identification or dating, including partially thawed and refrozen ice cream products.
The microwave used for resident meals showed rust damage and broken ventilation areas, while countertops had damaged surfaces that could harbor bacteria. These conditions directly impact the safety of food provided to residents who may have compromised immune systems.
Staff Training Deficiencies
The inspection also revealed that the facility failed to provide required annual training for nursing assistants. Two staff members lacked documentation of the mandatory 12 hours of in-service training required annually for certified nursing assistants.
One employee had no documented training records for the required period, while another received only a packet of materials to review independently without verification of actual training completion. This training gap affects the facility's ability to ensure staff understand proper infection control and resident care protocols.
Regulatory Standards and Health Implications
Food safety violations in nursing homes create heightened risks for elderly residents who often have weakened immune systems and underlying health conditions. Contaminated food preparation surfaces and equipment can lead to foodborne illnesses that may result in serious complications for vulnerable populations.
Infection control failures pose particular risks in congregate care settings where infectious diseases can spread rapidly among residents. The Enhanced Barrier Precautions protocols were specifically designed to prevent transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms that pose serious health threats to nursing home populations.
Previous Citation History
The inspection report indicates that food safety violations were previously cited at the facility, suggesting ongoing challenges with maintaining proper kitchen sanitation and food handling protocols.
Similarly, infection prevention and control deficiencies were previously documented, indicating persistent issues with implementing and maintaining required safety measures to protect resident health.
The violations documented during this inspection demonstrate systemic issues affecting multiple aspects of resident care and safety. The combination of food safety hazards, infection control failures, and staff training deficiencies creates a comprehensive pattern of regulatory non-compliance that directly impacts resident welfare and safety standards required in federally certified nursing facilities.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Hearthside Rehab Center from 2025-03-14 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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