THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
The Springs of Fairfield Bay has received a Trust Grade of C+, indicating it is slightly above average but still has room for improvement. It ranks #131 out of 218 facilities in Arkansas, placing it in the bottom half of the state, and it is the second best option out of two in Van Buren County. The facility's trend is concerning, as it worsened from 1 issue in 2023 to 6 issues in 2024. Staffing is a mixed bag; while they have good RN coverage-more than 98% of facilities in Arkansas-turnover is high at 75%, which is significantly above the state average of 50%. Notably, there have been recent incidents where food safety protocols were not followed, such as failing to label food with receive dates and not discarding expired items, which could pose health risks to residents.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Arkansas
- #131/218
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 75% turnover. Very high, 27 points above average. Constant new faces learning your loved one's needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Arkansas facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 61 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Arkansas nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ○ Average
- 9 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Arkansas average (3.1)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
29pts above Arkansas avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
27 points above Arkansas average of 48%
The Ugly 9 deficiencies on record
Sept 2024
6 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
Based on observation, record review, interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to initiate and update a comprehensive care plan for a resident with wandering and exit seeking behavio...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure 2 (Resident #21 and #27) of 2 sampled residents received nutritional supplements as ordered.
The findings are:
1. Revi...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure an accident/hazard free environment was provided for 1 (Resident #3) of 1 sampled residents.
The findings are:
Review ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0805
(Tag F0805)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure that food was in the proper form to meet resident needs for 1 of 1 meals observed.
These are the findings:
On 09/04/2...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, record review, interviews and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to maintain proper infection prevention and control for 1 (Resident #36) of 2 residen...
Read full inspector narrative →
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, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that (1) Food stored in the walk-in cooler, walk in freezer, dry storage area, and storage area shelves along a back w...
Read full inspector narrative →
Oct 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to follow Physician Orders for oxygen flow rate for 1 resident (Resident #137) of 2 (Residents #8 and #137) sampled residents. Th...
Read full inspector narrative →
Jul 2022
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Menu Adequacy
(Tag F0803)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure meals were prepared and served in accordance with the planned, written menu to meet the nutritional needs of the reside...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure food items stored in the refrigerator were covered and sealed;...
Read full inspector narrative →
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 Arkansas facilities.
- • 75% turnover. Very high, 27 points above average. Constant new faces learning your loved one's needs.
About This Facility
What is The Springs Of Fairfield Bay's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Arkansas, 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 The Springs Of Fairfield Bay Staffed?
CMS rates THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 75%, which is 29 percentage points above the Arkansas average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 62%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at The Springs Of Fairfield Bay?
State health inspectors documented 9 deficiencies at THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY during 2022 to 2024. These included: 9 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates The Springs Of Fairfield Bay?
THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY 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 THE SPRINGS ARKANSAS, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 46 certified beds and approximately 35 residents (about 76% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in FAIRFIELD BAY, Arkansas.
How Does The Springs Of Fairfield Bay Compare to Other Arkansas Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Arkansas, THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (75%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting The Springs Of Fairfield Bay?
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 The Springs Of Fairfield Bay Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY 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 Arkansas. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at The Springs Of Fairfield Bay Stick Around?
Staff turnover at THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY is high. At 75%, the facility is 29 percentage points above the Arkansas average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 62%. 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 The Springs Of Fairfield Bay Ever Fined?
THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY 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 The Springs Of Fairfield Bay on Any Federal Watch List?
THE SPRINGS OF FAIRFIELD BAY 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.