ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Arabella Health & Wellness of Phenix City has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating a decent level of care that is slightly above average. It ranks #84 out of 223 facilities in Alabama, placing it in the top half of nursing homes in the state, and #2 of 3 in Russell County, meaning only one local facility is rated higher. The facility's overall trend is improving, with issues decreasing from three in 2018 to just two in 2020. Staffing is a strength here, rated at 4 out of 5 stars, with turnover at 53%, which is close to the state average of 48%, suggesting staff stability. However, the facility has accumulated $63,100 in fines, which is concerning as it is higher than 95% of other nursing homes in Alabama, indicating potential compliance issues. Specific incidents noted by inspectors include failures in food safety practices, such as improperly stored expired bread and issues with food sanitation procedures, which could affect residents' health. Additionally, there was a concern about laundry staff not washing their hands between handling dirty and clean laundry, posing a risk for infection spread. While the facility does have good RN coverage, being better than 89% of state facilities, families should weigh these strengths against the noted weaknesses when considering care options.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Alabama
- #84/223
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 53% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $63,100 in fines. Higher than 67% of Alabama facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 53 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Alabama. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ○ Average
- 6 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
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%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 6 deficiencies on record
Jan 2020
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
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 facility policy titled, Oxygen Therapy-Mask, Nasal Cannla & Nebulizers, th...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observations, interviews, review of a facility document titled Manual Washing and Sanitizing, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Code, the facility failed to ensure:
1. the 3-com...
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Nov 2018
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, interview and review of a facility policy titled: Comprehensive Care Plans, the facility failed to devel...
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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 observation, interview and review of a facility policy titledDistribution of Ice, the facility failed to ensure a Certi...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview and review of facility policies titled: Handling Ice, Storing Dry Food and HYGIENE OF DIETARY STAFF, the facility failed to ensure:
1. two stored loaves of bread did no...
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Oct 2017
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0441
(Tag F0441)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interviews and a review of a facility policy titled, Handling Soiled Linen the facility failed to ensure Laundry Staff washed her hands between dirty and clean clothes handling. ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • $63,100 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in Alabama. Major compliance failures.
About This Facility
What is Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY 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 Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City Staffed?
CMS rates ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 53%, compared to the Alabama average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City?
State health inspectors documented 6 deficiencies at ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY during 2017 to 2020. These included: 6 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City?
ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY 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 ARABELLA HEALTHCARE MANAGEMENT, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 86 certified beds and approximately 74 residents (about 86% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in PHENIX CITY, Alabama.
How Does Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City Compare to Other Alabama Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Alabama, ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (53%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "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?"
Is Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY 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 Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City Stick Around?
ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY has a staff turnover rate of 53%, which is 7 percentage points above the Alabama average of 46%. Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City Ever Fined?
ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY has been fined $63,100 across 13 penalty actions. This is above the Alabama average of $33,710. Fines in this range indicate compliance issues significant enough for CMS to impose meaningful financial consequences. Common causes include delayed correction of deficiencies, repeat violations, or care failures affecting resident safety. Families should ask facility leadership what changes have been made since these penalties.
Is Arabella Health & Wellness Of Phenix City on Any Federal Watch List?
ARABELLA HEALTH & WELLNESS OF PHENIX CITY 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.