BAINBRIDGE, GA - Federal inspectors documented serious kitchen safety and infection control violations at Bainbridge Health and Rehab during an April 2025 inspection, including staff using paint brushes to prepare residents' food and catheter drainage bags placed directly on floors.
Paint Brush Food Preparation Violations
The most egregious violation involved kitchen staff using paint brushes to prepare food for residents. On April 9, 2025, inspectors observed the Dietary Manager spreading vegetable oil on three large cookie sheets with a paint brush that had severely curled, charred bristles with a wooden handle burned in two locations. Dozens of chicken breasts were then placed on the oil-coated sheets.
The same compromised paint brush was later used by a dietary aide to spread warm butter across dinner rolls served to residents. When questioned, the Dietary Manager stated she had been "using paint brushes for years for this application" and claimed the brush was cleaned in the dishwasher before each use.
Paint brushes are not designed for food contact and can harbor bacteria in bristles that cannot be adequately sanitized through standard dishwashing procedures. The charred and burned condition of this particular brush created additional contamination risks from degraded materials potentially entering the food supply.
Severely Rusted Food Storage Equipment
Inspectors found severely rusted shelving with flaking rust throughout food storage areas. Two metal four-rack shelves in the walk-in refrigerator, each measuring five feet high by four feet wide, showed extensive rust damage on all shelves while holding fruits, vegetables, and food containers.
Additional rusted shelving was discovered under the coffee machine, holding coffee supplies including filters and containers. Rust flakes can contaminate food and pose health risks when ingested. The Dietary Manager acknowledged the condition and stated she was considering replacing the metal shelves with plastic alternatives.
Infection Control Failures
The facility failed to maintain proper catheter drainage bag protocols for two residents with urinary catheters. Inspectors found catheter collection bags placed directly on floors without protective covers, violating basic infection prevention standards.
For one hospice resident, the catheter drainage bag was observed lying directly on the floor without a privacy storage bag. A Licensed Practical Nurse confirmed that catheter bags should not contact floors to prevent infection spread.
A second resident's suprapubic catheter bag was similarly found touching the floor without proper covering. Both residents were identified as having urinary tract infection risks in their care plans, making proper catheter management critical for their health.
Kitchen Sanitation Deficiencies
Multiple kitchen sanitation violations were documented throughout the facility. Inspectors found:
- A return air vent near the prep sink "full of dirt and grease" - Brown discoloration on walls 12 inches above and below light switches - An exterior door with a one-inch gap at the base allowing pest entry - Dust and dirt accumulation on walls above pot and pan storage areas - Unlabeled food items in resident kitchen areas
Dishwashing Equipment Failures
The three-compartment sink system used for washing pots and pans was found to be malfunctioning. The sanitizing solution tested at 700 parts per million, far exceeding the required 150-200 PPM range. Additionally, a faulty drain seal caused water levels to drop, leaving large containers above the sanitizing solution rather than properly submerged.
The Dietary Manager reported submitting a maintenance request two weeks prior, but the Maintenance Director stated no request had been received through the facility's tracking system. The sink was repaired during the inspection after the maintenance issue was identified.
Regulatory Standards and Requirements
Federal regulations require nursing homes to maintain food service equipment in good repair and follow strict sanitation protocols. Kitchen surfaces must be cleaned on regular schedules to prevent grime accumulation, and all food contact surfaces must be sanitized properly.
Catheter care protocols mandate that drainage bags remain off floors and be covered with privacy bags to prevent cross-contamination. These standards exist to protect vulnerable residents from preventable infections and foodborne illnesses.
Health Impact and Risks
The documented violations created multiple pathways for resident health compromise. Contaminated food preparation tools can introduce harmful bacteria, while rusted equipment may shed metal particles into food. Improper catheter management significantly increases urinary tract infection risks, particularly dangerous for elderly residents with compromised immune systems.
Poor kitchen sanitation can lead to foodborne illness outbreaks, while pest entry through damaged doors creates additional contamination vectors. The combination of these violations represented a systematic failure to maintain basic health and safety standards.
Facility Response and Corrections
During the inspection, facility staff acknowledged the various violations and took immediate corrective actions where possible. The faulty sink drain was repaired within hours of identification, and the Dietary Manager indicated plans to replace rusted shelving with appropriate alternatives.
The facility's infection control policies were found to be adequate on paper, but implementation and oversight were clearly deficient. Staff demonstrated awareness of proper procedures when questioned but had failed to consistently apply these standards in daily operations.
Bainbridge Health and Rehab serves 22 residents and is located at 1155 West College Street. The inspection classified violations as creating minimal harm or potential for actual harm, but the scope of deficiencies affected many residents across multiple care areas.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Bainbridge Health and Rehab from 2025-04-10 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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