DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Desert Haven Care Center in Phoenix, Arizona has a Trust Grade of C, which means it is average and sits in the middle of the pack compared to other facilities. It ranks #70 out of 139 in Arizona, placing it in the bottom half of all nursing homes in the state, and #52 out of 76 in Maricopa County, indicating that there are only a few local facilities with a better rating. The facility shows an improving trend, reducing issues from 9 in 2022 to 7 in 2024. Staffing is a notable strength with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 24%, which is significantly lower than the state's average, meaning staff tend to stay long-term. However, the center was fined $8,018, which is concerning as it is higher than 83% of Arizona facilities, suggesting ongoing compliance issues. In terms of care, there were serious incidents noted, such as failing to provide adequate supervision for a resident at high risk of wandering, which could lead to injury. Additionally, residents were observed eating with disposable cutlery and Styrofoam containers, which raises concerns about dignity during meals. There were also cleanliness issues reported, including dust and stains in bathrooms that had not been properly addressed. Overall, while there are strengths in staffing and some improvements in care issues, the facility has significant weaknesses in compliance and the quality of the living environment.
- Trust Score
- C
- In Arizona
- #70/139
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 24% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 24 points below Arizona's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $8,018 in fines. Lower than most Arizona facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 20 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Arizona. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 25 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Low Staff Turnover (24%) · Staff stability means consistent care
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (24%)
24 points below Arizona average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Arizona average (3.3)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
The Ugly 25 deficiencies on record
Nov 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 F0558
(Tag F0558)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, staff interviews, and review of facility documentation, the facility failed to ensure call light was withi...
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Aug 2024
1 deficiency
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and facility documentation and policy review, the facility failed to ensure a...
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Apr 2024
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, staff and resident interviews, the facility failed to ensure that residents were were treated with dignity while dining by using disposable cutlery and dishware. The deficient p...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** -An observation of the bathroom of a room (#30) conducted on April 16, 2024 at 3:28 p.m. with the maintenance director who state...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
PASARR Coordination
(Tag F0644)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Regarding Resident #22
-Resident #22 was initially admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included cerebral infa...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, staff interviews and review of facility policy and procedure, the facility failed to ensure food items we...
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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** Based on observations, clinical record review, staff interviews, review of facility documentation and policy, the CDC (Centers f...
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Dec 2022
9 deficiencies
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 F0561
(Tag F0561)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, facility documentation, resident and staff interviews, and facility policy and procedure, the f...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0645
(Tag F0645)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and review of policy, the facility failed to ensure that one out of two sampl...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and review of policy, the facility failed to ensure a care plan intervention ...
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CONCERN
(D)
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 clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy reviews, the facility failed to ensure that the necessary behavior...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0757
(Tag F0757)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure one resident (#84) drug regi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and review of policies and procedures, the facility failed to ensure identifi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, clinical record review, staff interviews, and review of policy and procedure, the facility failed to ensure the medication error rate was less than 5% by failing to ensure medica...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on staff interviews and facility documentation, the facility failed to use the services of a registered nurse for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week. The deficient practice has th...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
Based on review of facility documentation, staff interview, and facility policy and procedure, the facility failed to ensure that nurse staffing information was posted on a daily basis that included t...
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Aug 2021
9 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0645
(Tag F0645)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure a Preadmission Screening and...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, staff interviews, and facility policy, the facility failed to ensure food was properly labeled and had expiration dates in accordance to food safety standards. Failure to label ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0849
(Tag F0849)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and the facility hospice contract, the facility failed to ensure care was coo...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0886
(Tag F0886)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on review of facility documents, staff interviews, policy review, and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance, the facility failed to ensure that COVID-19 testing was conducted as require...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Transfer Notice
(Tag F0623)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** -Resident #54 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included schizophrenia, frontotemporal dementia, parano...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, observation, and review of policies and procedures, the facility failed to en...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on review of facility documentation, staff interviews and facility policy, the facility failed to use the services of a registered nurse (RN) for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a wee...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Laboratory Services
(Tag F0770)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, facility documentation, staff interviews, policy review and manufacturer guide, the facility failed to ensure quality control testing was consistently performed on a glucometer....
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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
Regarding wound care:
-An observation was conducted of gastrostomy care on 08/26/21 at 9:05 AM with the wound nurse (staff #94). Staff #94 gathered supplies, entered the room, and explained the gastro...
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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
- • 24% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 24 points below Arizona's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • 25 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • Grade C (58/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Desert Haven's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Arizona, this rating places the facility higher than 0% 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 Desert Haven Staffed?
CMS rates DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 24%, compared to the Arizona average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Desert Haven?
State health inspectors documented 25 deficiencies at DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER during 2021 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm, 23 with potential for harm, and 1 minor or isolated issues. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Desert Haven?
DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 115 certified beds and approximately 78 residents (about 68% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in PHOENIX, Arizona.
How Does Desert Haven Compare to Other Arizona Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Arizona, DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.3, staff turnover (24%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (2 stars) is below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Desert Haven?
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 Desert Haven Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, DESERT HAVEN CARE 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 #100 of 100 nursing homes in Arizona. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Desert Haven Stick Around?
Staff at DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 24%, the facility is 21 percentage points below the Arizona average of 46%. Low turnover is a positive sign. It means caregivers have time to learn each resident's needs, medications, and personal preferences. Consistent staff also notice subtle changes in a resident's condition more quickly.
Was Desert Haven Ever Fined?
DESERT HAVEN CARE CENTER has been fined $8,018 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Arizona average of $33,159. 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 Desert Haven on Any Federal Watch List?
DESERT HAVEN CARE 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.