Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown has received a Trust Grade of A, indicating it is considered excellent and highly recommended among nursing homes. With a state rank of #37 out of 266 facilities in Kentucky, they are in the top half, and they rank #3 out of 7 in Hardin County, meaning there are only two local options that are better. The facility is showing improvement, as the number of reported issues decreased from 2 in 2023 to 1 in 2024. Staffing is average with a rating of 3 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 47%, which is in line with the state average. Notably, the facility has not incurred any fines, which is a positive sign, and they provide more RN coverage than many other facilities, ensuring that registered nurses are available to address potential health issues. However, there have been some concerning incidents. For example, the facility failed to properly date food items in the walk-in freezer, which poses potential safety risks. Additionally, they did not complete mandatory background checks on two new dietary staff members before their employment, which could compromise resident safety. Lastly, there was a documented case where a resident with severe cognitive impairments was at risk for falls, but the care plan was not adequately followed to prevent incidents. Overall, while Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown has many strengths, these weaknesses should be carefully considered by families looking for a nursing home.
- Trust Score
- A
- In Kentucky
- #37/266
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 47% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Kentucky facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 50 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Kentucky. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-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 Kentucky avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 11 deficiencies on record
Oct 2024
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Employment Screening
(Tag F0606)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview, record review, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to complete the Kentucky (KY) Adult Caregiver Misconduct Registry checks prior to beginning employment on 2 of 3 c...
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Nov 2023
2 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
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of facility's policy, it was determined that the facility failed to e...
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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
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of the facility's policy it was determined the facility failed to hav...
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Jul 2021
1 deficiency
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 observations, interviews, record review and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to prevent th...
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May 2019
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0583
(Tag F0583)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure a resident's right to personal privacy and confidentiality during personal c...
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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
Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of facility policy, it was determined the facility failed to ensure the comprehensive care plan was implemented for one (1) of twenty-one (21...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure one (1) of twenty-one (21) sampled residents maintained acceptable parameters of nutritio...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure a resident who is fed by enteral means received the appropriate treatment an...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and review of the facility's policy and procedure, it was determined the facility failed to ensure drugs used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
2. Record review revealed the facility re-admitted Resident #11 on 02/09/19 with diagnoses which included Unspecified Dementia, Muscle Weakness, Difficulty in walking, Repeated Falls, Abnormalities of...
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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 facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to ensure food was stored, in accordance with professional standards for food service safety.
Observ...
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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
- • Grade A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Kentucky.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Kentucky facilities.
- • 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Kentucky, 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 Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown Staffed?
CMS rates Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 47%, compared to the Kentucky average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown?
State health inspectors documented 11 deficiencies at Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown during 2019 to 2024. These included: 11 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown?
Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown 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 SIGNATURE HEALTHCARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 124 certified beds and approximately 116 residents (about 94% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Elizabethtown, Kentucky.
How Does Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown Compare to Other Kentucky Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Kentucky, Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (47%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown?
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 Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Kentucky. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown Stick Around?
Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown has a staff turnover rate of 47%, which is about average for Kentucky 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 Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown Ever Fined?
Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown 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 Signature Healthcare Of Elizabethtown on Any Federal Watch List?
Signature Healthcare of Elizabethtown 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.