KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Kensington Healthcare Center has a Trust Grade of D, indicating below-average performance with some concerns about care quality. They rank #109 out of 219 facilities in Maryland, placing them in the top half, but rank #23 out of 34 in Montgomery County, meaning there are better local options. The facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with the number of issues increasing from 14 in 2024 to 20 in 2025. Staffing rates are decent, with a turnover of 31%, which is good compared to the state average of 40%. However, the facility has received fines totaling $51,545, which is higher than 81% of Maryland facilities, suggesting ongoing compliance issues. There are some positives, such as good quality measures rated at 4 out of 5 stars. Additionally, the facility has reported serious incidents, including a failure to respect a resident's wishes, resulting in a fractured finger, and another case where a resident was not protected from abuse, leading to actual harm. There's also a concern about the lack of a full-time social worker, which affected communication and care coordination for residents. Families should weigh these strengths and weaknesses carefully when considering this facility for their loved ones.
- Trust Score
- D
- In Maryland
- #109/219
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 31% turnover. Near Maryland's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $51,545 in fines. Lower than most Maryland facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 32 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Maryland. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 42 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (31%)
17 points below Maryland average of 48%
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Maryland average (3.0)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
15pts below Maryland avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 42 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
20 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
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 record review and interview it was determined that the facility failed to recognize the rights of a Resident. This was ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0561
(Tag F0561)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on resident interview, medical record review, and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to adjust the care plan to reflect the resident's preferences. This was evident for...
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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 record review and interview, it was determined that the facility staff failed to ensure the accuracy of the Medical Ord...
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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, record review, review of facility's policy and interview, it was determined that the facility staff failed...
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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
Investigate Abuse
(Tag F0610)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on the facility's investigation on report, staff record review, the facility's policy and procedures for abuse prevention,...
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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
Transfer Notice
(Tag F0623)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review, and interviews, it was determined the facility failed to notify the Ombudsman of resident's transfers. T...
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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 medical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to code the resident's discharge ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0660
(Tag F0660)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview, it was determined that the facility staff failed to prepare all relevant resident information incorporated into the discharge plan to facilitate its implementatio...
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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
Based on record reviews and interviews it was determined that the facility failed to provide treatments according to a Resident's plan of care. This was found evident of 2 (Resident #56, #51) out of 5...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0725
(Tag F0725)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on review of staffing information, medical records and interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure sufficient weekend staffing on each type of personnel on a 24-hour basis t...
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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 record review and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure medications were administered to a resident as ordered. This was evident for 1 (Resident #51) out 6 re...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Drug Regimen Review
(Tag F0756)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
2b) On 2/26/25 at 10:20 AM, the surveyor reviewed Resident #56's pharmacy Medication Regimen Review (MMR) evaluations. The MMR evaluations were being conducted each month by pharmacy. On 9/11/24 and 1...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure a medication error rate of less than 5% during the medication administration observation. This was eviden...
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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 observations, interviews, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to: 1) properly store medications and 2) ensure medications were properly labeled with expiration date....
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain the outdoor garbage storage area in a manner to prevent the harboring pests.
The findings include:
On 2/25/...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain medical records in accordance with acceptable professional standards and practices by keeping complete an...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to provide maintenance services necessary to main...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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 multiple residents
Based on record review, observation and interview, the facility failed to provide residents with an adequate supply of linens. This has the potential to affect all residents residing in the facility. ...
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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 observations and interviews it was determined that the facility staff failed to properly store food in accordance with professional standards for food service and safety. This was found evide...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0910
(Tag F0910)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to provide adequate privacy in resident bathrooms. This was found to be evident throughout the facility during th...
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Oct 2024
14 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on review of a facility reported incident, medical record review, facility documentation review, and staff interviews, it was determined the facility failed to honor a resident's wishes to not c...
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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
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and staff interview, it was determined that facility staff failed to treat each resident in a dignified manner by pulling a resident down the hallway backwards. This was evident f...
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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
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and interview, the facility staff failed to notify a resident's physician for a change in status ...
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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 F0655
(Tag F0655)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interview it was determined that the facility failed to have a process in place to ensure that a base...
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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
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on medical record review and interview it was determined the facility staff failed to ensure a resident's plans of care included individual resident care needs and interventions to assist each 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
Deficiency F0660
(Tag F0660)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on complaint, medical record review and staff interview it was determined the facility failed to develop an individualized discharge plan and update a discharge care plan for a resident admitted...
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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 F0691
(Tag F0691)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that
colostomy care was provided to a resident with a colostomy. This was evident for 1 (16) of 1
resident 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
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 4) A medical record view was conducted on 9/24/24 at 10:45 AM. Resident # 26 was
readmitted to the facility on [DATE] with a dia...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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 multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2) On 9/25/24 at 11:26 AM observation was made of Resident #4 lying in bed. The bottom sheet had several holes on the right side...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
5) On 9/23/24 a review of facility reported incident MD00199332 was conducted and revealed a written statement documented on 11/8/23 from GNA #43 that on 11/5/23 GNA #43 was notified Resident #20 call...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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 F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and interview, the facility staff failed to have quarterly care plan meetings for residents and r...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of complaint, medical record review, and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to provide care ...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and interview, the facility staff failed to provide treatment/services to prevent/heal pressures ...
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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
Social Worker
(Tag F0850)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on written and verbal complaints, documentation review and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to obtain a full-time social worker when the certified number of beds exceeded 1...
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Nov 2020
3 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on surveyor review of closed clinical records, review of facility administrative records and interviews with the facility ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on review of the clinical record, interview with Resident #26's representative and facility staff, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure standards of professional practice. This w...
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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
Based on surveyor review of the clinical records, interviews with residents, resident's representatives and facility staff, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure timely interdisciplinar...
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Feb 2019
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. On 02-25-19 at 09:00 AM, review of resident #381's record revealed a physician's order on the Maryland Medical Orders for Lif...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on surveyor observations, record review, and interview with facility staff and residents, it was determined that the facility staff failed to follow physicians' orders. This finding was evident ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0741
(Tag F0741)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on surveyor review of employee files, surveyor observations and interview with facility staff, it was determined that the ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0742
(Tag F0742)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on surveyor review of the clinical record, surveyor observations and interview with facility staff, it was determined that...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on surveyor observation and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility staff failed to store food under sanitary conditions or in accordance with professional food safety standards. T...
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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
- • 31% turnover. Below Maryland's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 2 harm violation(s), $51,545 in fines. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 42 deficiencies on record, including 2 serious (caused harm) violations. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $51,545 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in Maryland. Major compliance failures.
- • Grade D (40/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Kensington Healthcare Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Maryland, 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 Kensington Healthcare Center Staffed?
CMS rates KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 31%, compared to the Maryland average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Kensington Healthcare Center?
State health inspectors documented 42 deficiencies at KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER during 2019 to 2025. These included: 2 that caused actual resident harm, 39 with potential for harm, and 1 minor or isolated issues. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Kensington Healthcare Center?
KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE 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 COMMUNICARE HEALTH, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 140 certified beds and approximately 135 residents (about 96% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in KENSINGTON, Maryland.
How Does Kensington Healthcare Center Compare to Other Maryland Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Maryland, KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (31%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Kensington Healthcare 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 Kensington Healthcare Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE 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 Maryland. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Kensington Healthcare Center Stick Around?
KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 31%, which is about average for Maryland 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 Kensington Healthcare Center Ever Fined?
KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE CENTER has been fined $51,545 across 1 penalty action. This is above the Maryland average of $33,594. Fines in this range indicate compliance issues significant enough for CMS to impose meaningful financial consequences. Common causes include delayed correction of deficiencies, repeat violations, or care failures affecting resident safety. Families should ask facility leadership what changes have been made since these penalties.
Is Kensington Healthcare Center on Any Federal Watch List?
KENSINGTON HEALTHCARE 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.