Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility

235 New Wilson Lane, Middlesboro, KY 40965 (606) 298-0091
For profit - Corporation 95 Beds BLUEGRASS HEALTH KY Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
90/100
#23 of 266 in KY
Last Inspection: September 2024

Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.

Overview

Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility has received a Trust Grade of A, which indicates an excellent rating and suggests it is highly recommended for care. It ranks #23 out of 266 nursing homes in Kentucky, placing it in the top half of facilities, and is the best option in Bell County. The facility is improving, with no reported issues in 2024 compared to one in 2019. However, staffing is a concern with a rating of 2 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 47%, which is average for the state. While there have been no fines recorded, which is a positive sign, the facility has less RN coverage than 87% of Kentucky's facilities, meaning there may be fewer registered nurses available to catch potential issues. Specific incidents include residents reporting that the food served is bland and unappetizing, which raises concerns about meal quality and satisfaction. Overall, while the facility has strong ratings and is improving, families should consider the staffing concerns and food quality when evaluating care options.

Trust Score
A
90/100
In Kentucky
#23/266
Top 8%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Getting Better
1 → 0 violations
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
⚠ Watch
Each resident gets only 24 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Kentucky. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
Violations
✓ Good
Only 1 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
★★★★★
5.0
Overall Rating
★★☆☆☆
2.0
Staff Levels
★★★★☆
4.0
Care Quality
★★★★★
5.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2019: 1 issues
2024: 0 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

Staff Turnover: 47%

Near Kentucky avg (46%)

Higher turnover may affect care consistency

Chain: BLUEGRASS HEALTH KY

Part of a multi-facility chain

Ask about local staffing decisions and management

The Ugly 1 deficiencies on record

Sept 2019 1 deficiency
CONCERN (E)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Deficiency F0804 (Tag F0804)

Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents

Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of facility policy, it was determined that food served to residents during the evening meal on 09/25/19 was not palatable. Interviews with un...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of facility policy, it was determined that food served to residents during the evening meal on 09/25/19 was not palatable. Interviews with unsampled residents and a palatability test revealed the food was not seasoned and tasted bland. The findings include: Review of the facility policy, Food Service Department Goals, undated, revealed it was the policy of the facility to provide nutritious meals in a variety of combinations that were appetizing and flavorful. During the initial tour conducted on the morning of 09/24/19, five (5) unsampled residents stated that the food served at the facility did not have enough seasoning and tasted bland. A palatability test was conducted at 5:15 PM on 09/25/19 for the evening meal. The meal consisted of pepper steak, rice, and oriental vegetables. The regular consistency rice and oriental vegetables tasted bland and unseasoned. The pureed rice tasted bland and pasty. Interview with the Dietary Manager at 4:00 PM on 09/26/19 revealed that foods should be prepared according to the recipe; however, the cook failed to follow the recipe and had only added a little salt and butter to the rice and vegetables.
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

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

Strengths
  • • 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.
  • • Only 1 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
Concerns
  • • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
Bottom line: Generally positive indicators. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.

About This Facility

What is Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility 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 Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility Staffed?

CMS rates Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 47%, compared to the Kentucky average of 46%.

What Have Inspectors Found at Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility?

State health inspectors documented 1 deficiencies at Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility during 2019. These included: 1 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility?

Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility 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 BLUEGRASS HEALTH KY, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 95 certified beds and approximately 92 residents (about 97% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Middlesboro, Kentucky.

How Does Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility Compare to Other Kentucky Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Kentucky, Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility'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 (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility?

Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "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 below-average staffing rating.

Is Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility 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 Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility Stick Around?

Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility 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 Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility Ever Fined?

Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility 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 Middlesboro Nursing And Rehabilitation Facility on Any Federal Watch List?

Middlesboro Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility 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.