FAIR HAVEN
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Fair Haven in Birmingham, Alabama, has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating it is slightly above average but still has room for improvement. It ranks #104 out of 223 facilities in Alabama, placing it in the top half, and #5 of 34 in Jefferson County, meaning only four other local options are rated higher. The facility is improving, as it has reduced its issues from five in 2020 to three in 2021. Staffing is a strength, with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, although the turnover rate is 56%, which is around the state average. However, the facility has concerning fines of $31,615, which are higher than 85% of Alabama facilities, suggesting compliance issues. Specific incidents noted in inspections include a failure to keep the outdoor garbage area clean, which could attract pests and affect residents' health. Additionally, there was an instance where a nurse did not use a barrier when placing medications on a resident's bedside table, posing a risk of contamination. Lastly, the facility failed to develop a proper care plan for a resident on anticoagulant medication, which is a critical oversight in ensuring proper medical care. Overall, while Fair Haven has strengths in staffing and is on an improving trend, it also faces some significant compliance issues that families should consider.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Alabama
- #104/223
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 56% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $31,615 in fines. Lower than most Alabama facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 33 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Alabama. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Alabama average (2.9)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Alabama avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Below median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
8 points above Alabama average of 48%
The Ugly 11 deficiencies on record
Jun 2021
3 deficiencies
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 record review, interviews and a facility policy titled Comprehensive Care Planning-Person Centered the facility failed ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews, record review, and a review of Potter and [NAME], Fundamentals of Nursing, the facility failed...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interviews and facility policies tilted Garbage & Refuse and Insect and Rodent Control the facility failed to ensure the dumpster/area outside the kitchen was free of debris and ...
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Jan 2020
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review, interview and review of a facility policy titled Abuse and Crime Investigation and Reporting, the facility failed to report an allegation of abuse involving Resident Identifier...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0661
(Tag F0661)
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 a facility policy titled, Discharge Summary and Plan, the facility faile...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, medical record review, and review of the facility policy titled, Fingernails/Toenails, Care o...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and review of a facility policy titled Storage of Medications, the facility failed to ensure th...
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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** The facility failed to ensure a licensed nurse washed her hands or used hand sanitizer after taking Resident Identifier (RI) #14...
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Mar 2019
3 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 record review, interview and a facility policy titled, Resident Assessment Instrument, the facility failed to ensure an...
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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, interviews, medical record review, and a review of Fundamentals of Nursing Ninth Edition, the facility fai...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2) On 3/05/19 at 4:20 PM, a medication pass was observed with EI #6, Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and RI #114. After preparing...
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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.
- • 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • $31,615 in fines. Higher than 94% of Alabama facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- • 56% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Fair Haven's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns FAIR HAVEN 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 Fair Haven Staffed?
CMS rates FAIR HAVEN's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 56%, which is 10 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 55%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Fair Haven?
State health inspectors documented 11 deficiencies at FAIR HAVEN during 2019 to 2021. These included: 11 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Fair Haven?
FAIR HAVEN is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 259 certified beds and approximately 230 residents (about 89% occupancy), it is a large facility located in BIRMINGHAM, Alabama.
How Does Fair Haven Compare to Other Alabama Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Alabama, FAIR HAVEN's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (56%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Fair Haven?
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 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?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate.
Is Fair Haven Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, FAIR HAVEN 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 Fair Haven Stick Around?
Staff turnover at FAIR HAVEN is high. At 56%, the facility is 10 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 55%. RNs handle complex medical decisions and coordinate care — frequent RN changes can directly impact care quality. 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 Fair Haven Ever Fined?
FAIR HAVEN has been fined $31,615 across 10 penalty actions. This is below the Alabama average of $33,395. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Fair Haven on Any Federal Watch List?
FAIR HAVEN 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.