Kauai Care Center
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Kauai Care Center has a Trust Grade of C+, meaning it is slightly above average but still has room for improvement. It ranks #25 out of 41 nursing homes in Hawaii, placing it in the bottom half of facilities in the state, and #4 out of 5 in Kauai County, indicating limited better options nearby. The facility is improving, with issues decreasing from 9 in 2024 to just 1 in 2025. Staffing is a relative strength with a 4/5 rating, but the turnover rate is concerning at 49%, which is higher than the state average, suggesting some instability among staff. While there have been no fines, which is positive, there are concerns about lower RN coverage compared to 97% of other facilities, and specific incidents included not having a full-time nursing director and using equipment improperly, which could impact resident care.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Hawaii
- #25/41
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 49% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Hawaii facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 38 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Hawaii. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 22 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Hawaii average (3.4)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Hawaii avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 22 deficiencies on record
Jul 2025
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
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to protect the rights of one Resident (R) 198 of one resident sampled by ensuring the resident was treated with respect and digni...
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Apr 2024
9 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 (RR), staff interview, and review of the Long-Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument (RAI) 3.0...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews, and RR, the facility failed to revise the care plan for one of 14 residents sampled (R12). R12...
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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** 3) During an interview with R8 on 04/02/24 at 09:30 AM, the resident informed this surveyor that she was feeling dizzy and activ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews, and RR, the facility failed to ensure drug records are in order and an account of all controlled drugs is maintained and periodically reconciled. As a result of this ...
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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 interviews, observation, and RR, the facility failed to ensure a resident (R)12 is free from an unnecessary drug (antib...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0921)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure a safe environment for residents, staff, and the public. Observation of the facility's industrial dryers used by the facility docume...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Room Equipment
(Tag F0908)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, interviews and document review, the facility did not ensure the wrist blood pressure (BP) patient care monitor was used according to manufacturer's recommendations. Specifically...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interviews, observation, and document review, the facility failed to meet regulatory requirement for having a designated Full-time (working 40 or more hours a week) director of nursing. The i...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on an interview and document review, the facility failed to establish a water management program as part of an infection prevention and control program to prevent the transmission of disease ass...
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Apr 2023
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
Investigate Abuse
(Tag F0610)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to report the results of an investigation of alleged abuse (invasion of privacy) for two of two sampled residents (R)20 and R21.
...
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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 observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to provide non-pharmacological methods to help allevia...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews and record review, the facility failed to update and revise the care plan to include interventions and treatment for a suspected hairline fracture of the left 5th prox...
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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 observations, record review, and interviews, the facility failed to appropriately provide the necessary behavioral heal...
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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** Based on record review, staff interview, and review of policy, the facility failed to provide written notice of discharge for tw...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0625
(Tag F0625)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, staff interview, and review of policy, the facility failed to provide written notice of bed-hold policy ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0790
(Tag F0790)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to provide assistance in obtaining routine dental care for 2 out of 6 sampled residents (R) R16 and R20.
Findings include:
Interview was don...
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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 observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to provide a safe and sanitary environment which would he...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0885
(Tag F0885)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to inform all residents, their representatives, and families of those residing in the facility by 5:00 PM the next calendar day of a con...
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Feb 2022
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0578
(Tag F0578)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews, records review, and facility policies review, the facility failed to ensure the appropriate CPR (cardiopulm...
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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 observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide assistance with activities of daily living (A...
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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
Based on observation, staff interview, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to ensure foods stored in the freezer were labeled, dated when opened, and sealed closed. They also failed to ...
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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
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Hawaii facilities.
- • 22 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Kauai Care Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Kauai Care Center an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Hawaii, 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 Kauai Care Center Staffed?
CMS rates Kauai Care Center's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 49%, compared to the Hawaii average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Kauai Care Center?
State health inspectors documented 22 deficiencies at Kauai Care Center during 2022 to 2025. These included: 22 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Kauai Care Center?
Kauai Care Center 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 REGENCY PACIFIC MANAGEMENT, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 53 certified beds and approximately 44 residents (about 83% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Waimea, Hawaii.
How Does Kauai Care Center Compare to Other Hawaii Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Hawaii, Kauai Care Center's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.4, staff turnover (49%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Kauai Care Center?
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 Kauai Care Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Kauai 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 Hawaii. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Kauai Care Center Stick Around?
Kauai Care Center has a staff turnover rate of 49%, which is about average for Hawaii nursing homes (state average: 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 Kauai Care Center Ever Fined?
Kauai Care Center 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 Kauai Care Center on Any Federal Watch List?
Kauai 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.