SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
The Southwest Montana Veterans Home has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good option for families seeking care, though it is not without its concerns. Ranking #7 out of 59 facilities in Montana places it in the top half, and #2 out of 4 in Silver Bow County means there is only one better local choice. However, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with issues increasing from 3 in 2024 to 9 in 2025. Staffing is a strength, rated 5 out of 5 stars with a turnover rate of 36%, which is significantly better than the state average. On a concerning note, the home has faced $9,126 in fines, indicating some compliance issues. Additionally, the facility has more RN coverage than 98% of Montana facilities, which enhances care quality. Specific incidents noted include failure to properly manage a resident’s severe pain, as well as not ensuring that psychotropic medications were appropriately administered according to residents' documented conditions. While there are strengths in staffing and RN coverage, the increase in issues and specific care management failures raise red flags for families considering this facility for their loved ones.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Montana
- #7/59
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 36% turnover. Near Montana's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ⚠ Watch
- $9,126 in fines. Higher than 95% of Montana facilities. Major compliance failures.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 126 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Montana nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 18 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (36%)
12 points below Montana average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels.
The Bad
10pts below Montana avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 18 deficiencies on record
Jun 2025
9 deficiencies
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 interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure there was an updated care plan pertaining to trauma informed care for 1 (#32) of 13 sampled residents. The resident had ongoing nigh...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure ADL oral care was offered and performed for 1 (#30) resident out of 13 sampled residents. The resident was dependent o...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure prompt treatment of a urinary tract infection for 1 (#49) of 13 sampled residents which resulted in the infection being untreated fo...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0742
(Tag F0742)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure 1 (#32) resident of 13 sampled residents had the appropriate treatment and services for PTSD to allow the resident to attain his hig...
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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, and record review, the facility failed to ensure contact precautions were followed for 1 (#13) of 13 sampled residents. This had the potential to result in the transmi...
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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
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure biohazardous waste was stored properly (i.e.: biohazardous waste bags properly stored in the boxes, sealed with a punc...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0605
(Tag F0605)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure psychotropic medications were used to treat a residents' specific, diagnosed, and documented condition for 2 (#s 14 & 36); and faile...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
PASARR Coordination
(Tag F0644)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a PASRR Level II was completed for 1 (#32), and failed to ensure the residents' mental health diagnoses, for which they received psy...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0700
(Tag F0700)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to obtain physician orders, informed consents, signed statements of understandings, or develop a standardized process, includi...
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Jun 2024
3 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 interview, observation, and record review, the facility failed to allow the POA and decision-maker of the resident to m...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
PASARR Coordination
(Tag F0644)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a mental health diagnosis was included in a resident's admission PASARR assessment for 1 (#21) of 17 sampled residents. Findings inc...
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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
Based on interview, observation, and record review, the facility failed to have a consistent process, evaluation, and management of the check-out process for allowing residents to leave the facility d...
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May 2023
6 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0697
(Tag F0697)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility staff failed to effectively identify, treat, and reassess the effectiveness of pain management, for 1 (#8) of 9 residents. Findings inc...
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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 observation, interview, and record review, facility staff failed to sufficiently address a resident's pain for four days due to a facility process failure related to medication orders requiri...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to address, and ensure, an acceptable diagnosis and indication for the use of an antipsychotic medication were in place and docu...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0813
(Tag F0813)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, facility staff failed to assist a resident in safely storing food brought into the facility, and stored in a refrigerator in a resident's room, if t...
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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
4. During an interview on 5/9/23 at 1:44 p.m., resident #30 was pleasant and conversational, but was oriented only to name.
Review of resident #30's medical record showed cognitive diagnoses includin...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview, and record review, facility staff failed to implement a resident-centered activity program, which incorporated the resident's individualized interests, hobbies, and cultural prefer...
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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
- • 36% turnover. Below Montana's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 18 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
About This Facility
What is Southwest Montana Veterans Home's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Montana, 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 Southwest Montana Veterans Home Staffed?
CMS rates SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 36%, compared to the Montana average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Southwest Montana Veterans Home?
State health inspectors documented 18 deficiencies at SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME during 2023 to 2025. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 17 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Southwest Montana Veterans Home?
SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME 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 EDURO HEALTHCARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 60 certified beds and approximately 48 residents (about 80% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in BUTTE, Montana.
How Does Southwest Montana Veterans Home Compare to Other Montana Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Montana, SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (36%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Southwest Montana Veterans Home?
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 Southwest Montana Veterans Home Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME 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 Montana. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Southwest Montana Veterans Home Stick Around?
SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME has a staff turnover rate of 36%, which is about average for Montana 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 Southwest Montana Veterans Home Ever Fined?
SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME has been fined $9,126 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Montana average of $33,170. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Southwest Montana Veterans Home on Any Federal Watch List?
SOUTHWEST MONTANA VETERANS HOME 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.