Maryland Nursing Homes: Violations, Fines and Worst Records

Most of Maryland's 221 nursing homes are run by corporate chains or for-profit companies: 182 operate for profit, and 164 have chain ownership. Running 37 facilities, Autumn Lake Healthcare is Maryland's largest operator; 35 homes are non-profit, while four are government-run. The federal Medicare agency is CMS, which published federal provider and inspection files. They indicate daily nurse staffing hours fell short of the level expected for residents' needs at 145 of 218 Maryland facilities that reported. In those Maryland homes, yearly nursing staff turnover averaged 40.2%; that ranks 45th of the 50 states and Washington, D.C., below the 45.8% national figure.

Maryland totaled 11,413 citations during the most recent three inspection cycles. With 479, medical records and privacy rules formed the biggest citation group. Resident harm or immediate danger appeared in 219 Maryland citations, and 97 involved supervision and accident hazards. Federal officials also put one home, Pines Nursing and Rehab, into the program called Special Focus Facility; five other state homes were candidates. They also imposed a $341,978 fine on Blue Point Healthcare Center in Baltimore.

To review state records, families can use the Maryland Quality Reporting Nursing Home Guide, issued by the Maryland Health Care Commission. A profile for each facility includes an Inspection Reports tab. There, dates for health inspections and fire safety inspections appear. So do deficiency counts measured against averages for the state and nation, staffing, and family satisfaction scores. Maryland facilities also have full federal inspection narratives on Medicare Care Compare, the former Nursing Home Compare site. There, a Maryland home's page links to Form CMS-2567, the official statement of deficiencies in which inspectors describe each violation.

If poor care or unsafe facility conditions are a concern, the Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality can receive reports by phone at 410-402-8015. The state online complaint form is another option. When resident care problems need resolving, families can contact the Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, part of the Maryland Department of Aging. It assists families by phone at 800-243-3425. Suspected neglect or abuse involving a vulnerable adult can also go to Maryland Adult Protective Services; the number is 1-800-91Prevent (1-800-917-7383).