Hilltop Heights Health & Rehab Center

In the surveyor’s words

From the most serious findings on record at Hilltop Heights Health & Rehab Center, in the surveyor’s own words.

• Immediate jeopardy, patternF880Mar 15, 2023

  Based on review of established infection control guidelines, the facility's documents, and residents' clinical records, as well as observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe environment and to help prevent the development and transmission of communicable infections, by failing to follow infection control guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Pennsylvania Department of Health (PA DOH) to reduce the spread of infections and prevent cross-contamination during the COVID-19 pandemic for 12 of 18 residents reviewed (Residents 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18). […]

• Actual harm, isolatedF689May 4, 2023

  Based on review of the facility's policies, investigation documents, residents' clinical records, and information provided by the facility, as well as staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that a safe environment was provided when receiving hot beverages by not following the facility's policy for one of 10 residents reviewed (Resident 2) resulting in a second-degree burn (includes blisters, a darker tone and a shiny, moist appearance). This deficiency was cited as past non-compliance. Findings include: The facility's policy regarding hot beverage temperatures, dated January 2023, indicated that all hot beverages will be prepared by the dietary department. Hot beverages will not be prepared by nursing or other ancillary staff. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812Nov 13, 2025

  Based on review of policies, as well as observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to store and prepare food under sanitary conditions. Findings include:The facility's policy for kitchen sanitation and cleaning, dated August 18, 2025, revealed that the food and nutrition services staff would maintain the sanitation of the kitchen.Observations in the main kitchen on November 13, 2025, at 09:54 a.m. revealed that eighteen out of eighteen coffee mugs as well as three coffee and two water pitchers had loose food particles and a removable brown film inside; six out of ten white dinner plates examined were noted to have a dried on egg and cheese substance on the face of the plate; three out of twenty clear plastic drinking glasses had food particles and grime… […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF812May 14, 2025

  Based on observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that food was served under sanitary conditions in accordance with professional standards for food service safety. Findings include: Observations in the facility's kitchen area on May 12, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. revealed a garbage can near the employee sink that was overflowing with garbage and a brown, removable substance streaked across the floor beside that garbage can. A garbage can near the dietary department entrance in the hallway was overflowing with garbage and an individual-sized syrup container was opened and spilled on the floor near a nonfunctioning upright cooler in the same area. A dirty glove was observed on the floor near two garbage cans in the cooking prep area. […]

• No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF812Mar 4, 2026

  Based on review of policies, as well as observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain the sanitation of the kitchen regarding thermal coffee mugs. Findings include:The facility's policy for kitchen sanitation and cleaning, dated August 18, 2025, revealed that the food and nutrition services staff would maintain the sanitation of the kitchen.Observations in the main kitchen on March 4, 2026, at 09:16 a.m. revealed that 25 out of 39 maroon and/or black thermal coffee mugs observed had a moderate to large blackish brown removable substance inside. […]