ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Birmingham, Alabama has a Trust Grade of C+, which indicates it is slightly above average among nursing homes. It ranks #88 out of 223 facilities in Alabama, placing it in the top half, and #2 of 34 in Jefferson County, meaning only one other local option is better. The facility is showing improvement, with issues decreasing from 2 in 2021 to 1 in 2024. However, staffing is a concern, rated only 1 out of 5 stars with a high turnover rate of 60%, significantly above the state average of 48%. While the center has no fines on record, which is a positive indicator, there are specific incidents of concern. For example, staff did not follow a resident's care plan that required them to leave the resident alone when agitated, and there were failures in maintaining cleanliness around waste disposal areas, which could attract vermin. Overall, while there are strengths in its ranking and lack of fines, families should be aware of staffing issues and specific care deficiencies that may impact residents' well-being.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Alabama
- #88/223
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 60% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Alabama facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 26 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Alabama. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Near Alabama average (2.9)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
14pts above Alabama avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
12 points above Alabama average of 48%
The Ugly 11 deficiencies on record
Feb 2024
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0740
(Tag F0740)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews, record review, and the facility's policy titled Behavior Management Program the facility failed to ensure s...
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Apr 2021
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review and review of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Resident Assessment Instrum...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review and facility policy review, the facility failed to accurately document the code status of two ...
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Mar 2019
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review and review of a facility policy titled, Resident Privacy, the facility failed to ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Resident Identifier (RI) #146 had a Physician'...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure Resident Identifier (RI) #146's suction machin...
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Mar 2018
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0583
(Tag F0583)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, medical record review and review of a facility policy titled, Resident Privacy, the facility fa...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, medical record review, and review of facility documents titled, ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY, the facility failed t...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, medical record review, review of a facility policy titled, Oral and Nasal Inhalation Administra...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, medical record reviews and review of a facility document titled, Standard Precautions, the fa...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, the 2013 Food Code, and the facility's policy on Waste Disposal, the facility failed to ensure the area around the outside oil refuse receptacle was free from food rel...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Why is there high staff turnover? How do you retain staff?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Alabama facilities.
- • 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • 60% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Alabama, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Staffed?
CMS rates ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 60%, which is 14 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs.
What Have Inspectors Found at Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center?
State health inspectors documented 11 deficiencies at ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER during 2018 to 2024. These included: 11 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center?
ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by BALL HEALTHCARE SERVICES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 117 certified beds and approximately 112 residents (about 96% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in BIRMINGHAM, Alabama.
How Does Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Compare to Other Alabama Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Alabama, ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (60%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "How do you ensure continuity of care given staff turnover, and what is your staff retention strategy?" "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate and the below-average staffing rating.
Is Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Alabama. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Stick Around?
Staff turnover at ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER is high. At 60%, the facility is 14 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. High turnover means new staff may not know residents' individual needs, medications, or preferences. It can also be disorienting for residents, especially those with dementia who rely on familiar faces. Families should ask: What is causing the turnover? What retention programs are in place? How do you ensure care continuity during staff transitions?
Was Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center Ever Fined?
ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Arlington Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center on Any Federal Watch List?
ARLINGTON REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.