Signature Healthcare of Spencer County
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Signature Healthcare of Spencer County has a Trust Grade of D, indicating below-average performance with significant concerns. It ranks #261 out of 266 facilities in Kentucky, placing it in the bottom half, while it is the only nursing home in Spencer County. Unfortunately, the facility is worsening, with the number of identified issues increasing from 4 in 2019 to 8 in 2024. Staffing is a weak point, with a 2/5 star rating and a troubling turnover rate of 64%, which is higher than the state average. However, the facility does have good RN coverage, exceeding that of 88% of Kentucky nursing homes. Specific incidents include staff not washing hands or wearing gloves while preparing food, and a contractor cleaning a fish tank with bare hands before entering the kitchen, both raising significant concerns about infection control. Overall, while there are some positive aspects, such as RN coverage, the facility has several serious weaknesses that families should consider.
- Trust Score
- D
- In Kentucky
- #261/266
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 64% 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 56 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Kentucky. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 16 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Below Kentucky average (2.8)
Significant quality concerns identified by CMS
18pts above Kentucky avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
16 points above Kentucky average of 48%
The Ugly 16 deficiencies on record
Aug 2024
8 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 interview, record review and facility policy review it was determined the facility failed to treat each resident with r...
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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
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for three of 34 sampled residents (Resident [R]29, R44,...
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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
Deficiency F0804
(Tag F0804)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to provide food at palatable temperature for hot foods and at a palatable point of service temperature for three of ...
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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 review of the facility's policy, it was determined the facility failed to ensure the resident environment remained free of accident hazards. On 07/30/2024, chemica...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0925
(Tag F0925)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure the facility was free of pest in for four of 34 sampled residents (Resident [R]11, R29, R44, and R67).
The f...
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CONCERN
(F)
📢 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
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, and review of the facility's policy, it was determined the facility failed to prepare, distribute, and serve food in a sanitary manner and in accordance with professio...
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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 observation, interview, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary, and com...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0922
(Tag F0922)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and review of facility policy, the facility failed to ensure that safe drinking water was availa...
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May 2019
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview, facility policy review, and review of an abuse investigation, it was determined the facility failed to ensure residents remained free from abuse for one (1) of forty (40) residents...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0635
(Tag F0635)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to obtain physician orders ...
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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 observation, interview, record review, review of the facility's policy, and review of the Centers for Medicare and Medi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
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 maintain an effective infection control program to prevent the transmission of infe...
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Apr 2018
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0604
(Tag F0604)
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 facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to assess or r...
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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** 2. Review of the facility's policy, Full Life Conference, revealed the conference was conducted to demonstrate to the resident, ...
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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, it was determined the facility failed to ensure all medications were securely stored to restrict access to only authorized personn...
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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 observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, it was determined the facility failed to maintain an...
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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 Kentucky facilities.
- • 16 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • Grade D (40/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
- • 64% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Signature Healthcare of Spencer County an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is considered much below average nationally. Within Kentucky, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. A rating at this level reflects concerns identified through health inspections, staffing assessments, or quality measures that families should carefully consider.
How is Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County Staffed?
CMS rates Signature Healthcare of Spencer County's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 64%, which is 18 percentage points above the Kentucky average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 65%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County?
State health inspectors documented 16 deficiencies at Signature Healthcare of Spencer County during 2018 to 2024. These included: 16 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County?
Signature Healthcare of Spencer County 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 120 certified beds and approximately 88 residents (about 73% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Taylorsville, Kentucky.
How Does Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County Compare to Other Kentucky Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Kentucky, Signature Healthcare of Spencer County's overall rating (1 stars) is below the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (64%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (2 stars) is below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County?
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 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?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate and the below-average staffing rating.
Is Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Signature Healthcare of Spencer County 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 1-star overall rating and ranks #100 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 Spencer County Stick Around?
Staff turnover at Signature Healthcare of Spencer County is high. At 64%, the facility is 18 percentage points above the Kentucky average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 65%. 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 Signature Healthcare Of Spencer County Ever Fined?
Signature Healthcare of Spencer County 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 Spencer County on Any Federal Watch List?
Signature Healthcare of Spencer County 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.