HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center has received a Trust Grade of F, indicating poor performance and significant concerns. They rank #41 out of 59 facilities in Montana, placing them in the bottom half, and #2 out of 2 in Sanders County, meaning there is only one other local option that is better. The facility is worsening, with issues increasing from 8 in 2023 to 12 in 2024. Staffing ratings are a relative strength, with a score of 4 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 61%, which is average for the state. However, the facility has faced fines totaling $22,614, which is a cause for concern, and they do not have more RN coverage than most facilities, raising questions about the quality of care. Specific incidents include a serious failure to provide timely treatment for a resident with a skin condition linked to sepsis and a UTI, which occurred after the resident was discharged from the hospital. Another serious incident involved a resident who did not receive their nausea medication for several days, resulting in severe withdrawal symptoms. While the staffing situation seems stable, the increasing number of health and safety issues raises significant red flags for families considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- F
- In Montana
- #41/59
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 61% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $22,614 in fines. Lower than most Montana facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 48 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Montana. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 20 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Below Montana average (2.9)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
15pts above Montana avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
13 points above Montana average of 48%
The Ugly 20 deficiencies on record
Dec 2024
11 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0645
(Tag F0645)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to complete a PASARR level I or II for 1 (#6) of 19 sampled residents. Findings include:
Review of resident #6's EHR reflected no PASARR Leve...
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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 interview and record review, the facility failed to implement a comprehensive, resident centered care plan, which identified the resident's physical and psychological needs and wishes, for 1 ...
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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 observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure residents who were unable to carry out activities of daily living for oral care received the necessary services to maintain good nut...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to ensure a resident's environment was addressed for safety related to hazards, and the resident had dementia, and misused the call light/cord...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0578
(Tag F0578)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure advanced directives were complete for 4 (#s 1, 9, 16, and 30) of 19 sampled residents. This deficiency increased the risk of of the...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0711
(Tag F0711)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 3. Review of resident #20's EHR reflected no history and physical had been completed by the physician. Resident #20 was admitted...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview, the facility staff failed to remove expired medications, and allowed the expired items to remain in the same location as the unexpired medications, which increased ...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
4. Review of resident #6's EHR Care Plan, with a revision date of 10/17/24, reflected:
- [Resident #6] has two open sheared/macerated areas to left buttock secondary to decreased mobility s/p hip frac...
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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 observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure staff followed safe food handling practices and ensure staff used proper hair and beard coverings while meals were pre...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0837
(Tag F0837)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility governing body failed to ensure the facility implemented and operationalized policies and procedures related to Advance Directives, PASARR Screenings...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
QAPI Program
(Tag F0867)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to take actions aimed at performance improvement, and after implementing those actions, measure its success, and track performance to ensure ...
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Mar 2024
1 deficiency
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 F0583
(Tag F0583)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, facility staff failed to ensure a resident's medical condition remained confidential for 1 (#1) of 5 sampled residents. Findings include:
During an interview on 3...
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Dec 2023
8 deficiencies
2 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to properly identify, document, and implement physicians' orders and a...
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SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide scheduled medication, as ordered by the physician, to 1 (#26) of 15 sampled residents. This deficient practice resulted in undue ph...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, facility staff failed to respect the dignity of residents when they were talking about them at the nursing station, and a resident overheard them and filed a grie...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to notify the physician of medication errors for 1 (#26) of 15 sampled residents. Findings include:
During an interview on 12/4/23 at 1:18 p.m...
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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
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to protect the resident's right to be free from verbal abuse by staff for 1 (#12) of 15 sampled residents, resulting in the resi...
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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
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to report an allegation of verbal abuse from staff to resident, during the appropriate time frame, for 1 (#12) of 15 sampled residents. Findin...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide an ongoing activities program, meeting the in...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure staff used appropriate hand hygiene during medication administration for 4 (#s 9, 26, 29, and 31) of 15 sampled reside...
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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
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • 20 deficiencies on record, including 2 serious (caused harm) violations. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $22,614 in fines. Higher than 94% of Montana facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- • Grade F (38/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
- • 61% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered below average nationally. Within Montana, 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 Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center Staffed?
CMS rates HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 61%, which is 15 percentage points above the Montana average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs.
What Have Inspectors Found at Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center?
State health inspectors documented 20 deficiencies at HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER during 2023 to 2024. These included: 2 that caused actual resident harm and 18 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center?
HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION 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 EMPRES OPERATED BY EVERGREEN, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 40 certified beds and approximately 29 residents (about 72% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in HOT SPRINGS, Montana.
How Does Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center Compare to Other Montana Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Montana, HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (61%) 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 Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center?
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 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 facility's high staff turnover rate.
Is Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION 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 2-star overall rating and ranks #100 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 Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center Stick Around?
Staff turnover at HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER is high. At 61%, the facility is 15 percentage points above the Montana average of 46%. 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 Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center Ever Fined?
HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER has been fined $22,614 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Montana average of $33,305. 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 Hot Springs Health & Rehabilitation Center on Any Federal Watch List?
HOT SPRINGS HEALTH & REHABILITATION 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.