GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
Garrett County Subacute Unit in Oakland, Maryland, has received an impressive Trust Grade of A, indicating it is highly recommended and excels in care quality. Ranked #24 out of 219 nursing homes in Maryland, it sits comfortably in the top half, and is the best option among the four facilities in Garrett County. However, the facility's trend is concerning as it has worsened, increasing from one issue in 2023 to two in 2025. Staffing is a strong point with a 5/5 star rating and more RN coverage than any other facility in the state, although the 44% staff turnover is close to the state average. Notably, there have been no fines, which is a positive sign, but there are specific areas of concern, such as improper food storage practices and the lack of education and offers for the COVID-19 vaccine for staff, which could pose risks to residents and staff alike. Overall, while the facility has many strengths, it also shows some weaknesses that families should consider.
- Trust Score
- A
- In Maryland
- #24/219
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 44% turnover. Near Maryland's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Maryland facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 260 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Maryland nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ○ Average
- 8 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (44%)
4 points below Maryland average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Maryland avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 8 deficiencies on record
Aug 2025
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0887
(Tag F0887)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that staff were offered and educated about the COVID-19 vaccine. This was evident for four of five emp...
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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 observations and interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to store food in accordance with professional standards. This deficient practice has the potential to affect all reside...
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Mar 2023
1 deficiency
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 record reviews and interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to 1). document the route of oxygen delivery each time a patient's oxygen saturation was documented. This was evident...
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Dec 2018
5 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
Based on medical record review and staff interview, it was determined the facility staff failed to ensure that Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments were accurately coded. This was evident for 2 (#2, #4)...
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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 medical record review, staff interview, and observation, it was determined the facility failed to develop comprehensive person-centered care plans with measurable goals. This was evident for ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and staff interview, it was determined the facility failed to develop an individualized discharge...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interview with staff,, it was determined that the facility staff failed to date and label food items.
The findings include:
Observation was made, on 12/13/18 8:05 AM, during...
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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 observation and staff interview it was determined the facility failed to keep the walk-in freezer in the kitchen in safe operating condition. This was evident during the initial tour of the k...
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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 Maryland.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Maryland facilities.
- • 44% turnover. Below Maryland's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Garrett County Subacute Unit's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Maryland, 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 Garrett County Subacute Unit Staffed?
CMS rates GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 44%, compared to the Maryland average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Garrett County Subacute Unit?
State health inspectors documented 8 deficiencies at GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT during 2018 to 2025. These included: 8 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Garrett County Subacute Unit?
GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT 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 WVU MEDICINE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 10 certified beds and approximately 6 residents (about 60% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in OAKLAND, Maryland.
How Does Garrett County Subacute Unit Compare to Other Maryland Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Maryland, GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (44%) 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 Garrett County Subacute Unit?
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 Garrett County Subacute Unit Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT 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 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 Garrett County Subacute Unit Stick Around?
GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT has a staff turnover rate of 44%, 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 Garrett County Subacute Unit Ever Fined?
GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT 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 Garrett County Subacute Unit on Any Federal Watch List?
GARRETT COUNTY SUBACUTE UNIT 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.