GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit in Fort Myers, Florida, has a Trust Grade of B+, indicating it is above average and recommended for families considering care options. It ranks #45 out of 690 facilities in Florida, placing it in the top half, and #1 out of 19 facilities in Lee County, meaning it offers the best option locally. The facility is improving, with issues decreasing from three in 2021 to just one in 2023. Staffing is a strong point, with a 5/5 star rating and an 18% turnover rate, well below the state average of 42%, indicating a stable and experienced staff. However, there are some concerns, including $14,521 in fines, which is average compared to other facilities, and a critical incident where a resident suffered a severe allergic reaction due to a failure to ensure their food was allergy-free, requiring hospitalization due to intubation.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Florida
- #45/690
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 18% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 30 points below Florida's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ⚠ Watch
- $14,521 in fines. Higher than 95% of Florida facilities. Major compliance failures.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 193 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Florida nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ○ Average
- 6 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Low Staff Turnover (18%) · Staff stability means consistent care
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (18%)
30 points below Florida average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
The Ugly 6 deficiencies on record
Oct 2023
1 deficiency
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Deficiency F0806
(Tag F0806)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review, and facility policies the facility failed to consistently implement processes to ensure resid...
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Oct 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 and staff interviews, the facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive dialysis care plan for...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, resident and staff interview the facility failed to follow through and provide timely care ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, review of facility policy and resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide the necessary care and services to monitor and maintain a continuous positive airway p...
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Jan 2020
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0685
(Tag F0685)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to provide vision services in a timely manner for 1 (Resident #22) of 1 resident sampled for vision.
The findings included:
Duri...
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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
Based on record review and staff interview the facility failed to ensure physician orders were transcribed correctly for 1 (Resident #149) of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications, which ca...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Grade B+ (81/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Florida.
- • 18% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 30 points below Florida's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s). Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 6 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $14,521 in fines. Above average for Florida. Some compliance problems on record.
About This Facility
What is Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Florida, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit Staffed?
CMS rates GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 18%, compared to the Florida average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit?
State health inspectors documented 6 deficiencies at GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT during 2020 to 2023. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death) and 5 with potential for harm. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.
Who Owns and Operates Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit?
GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 75 certified beds and approximately 72 residents (about 96% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in FORT MYERS, Florida.
How Does Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit Compare to Other Florida Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Florida, GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.2, staff turnover (18%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "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 Immediate Jeopardy citations.
Is Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 1 Immediate Jeopardy citation (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Florida. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit Stick Around?
Staff at GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 18%, the facility is 28 percentage points below the Florida 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. Registered Nurse turnover is also low at 10%, meaning experienced RNs are available to handle complex medical needs.
Was Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit Ever Fined?
GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT has been fined $14,521 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Florida average of $33,224. 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 Gulf Coast Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit on Any Federal Watch List?
GULF COAST MEDICAL CENTER SKILLED NURSING UNIT 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.