POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating a decent but slightly above-average level of care. It ranks #18 out of 59 nursing homes in Montana, placing it in the top half for the state, and is the best option among the two facilities in Lake County. Unfortunately, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with the number of issues increasing from 3 in 2023 to 9 in 2024. Staffing is a relative strength, with a 4-star rating and turnover at 42%, which is better than the state average. However, the facility has accumulated $35,865 in fines, which is concerning and suggests ongoing compliance issues. Specific incidents reported by inspectors include a failure to provide necessary psychiatric services for a resident with multiple mental health conditions, compromising their care. Additionally, there were serious concerns about kitchen sanitation, with observations of dust buildup and food storage issues that could affect residents' health. Lastly, residents reported long wait times for call lights to be answered, with some waiting up to an hour or more, indicating potential delays in urgent care. Overall, while there are strengths in staffing, the facility has notable weaknesses that families should consider carefully.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Montana
- #18/59
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 42% turnover. Near Montana's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $35,865 in fines. Lower than most Montana facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 42 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Montana. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 16 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (42%)
6 points below Montana average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Montana 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 16 deficiencies on record
Sept 2024
7 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0742
(Tag F0742)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide psychiatric services for 1 (#40) of 1 resident with the diagnoses: Borderline Personality Disorder, Generalized Anxie...
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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
Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to have the advance directive for 1 (#17) of 1 resident located in the Disaster Recovery Binder, easily accessible to staff durin...
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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
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident's care plan accurately showed the resident's current non-use of interventions for a wheelchair cushion, and...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide sufficient interventions for 1 (#40) of 2 residents who had severe weight loss. Resident #40 was self-limiting her in...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to follow physician orders to change oxygen tubing for 1 (#34) of 3 sampled residents. This increased the potential for respir...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0675
(Tag F0675)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, interviews, and record reviews, the facility failed to answer call lights timely, for 6 (#s 9, 17, 24, 36, 39, and 202) of 13 sampled residents. Findings include:
2. During an i...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a legible daily nurse staffing posting was placed with the required information, including the census, and that is was...
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May 2024
2 deficiencies
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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to report an injury of unknown origin to the State Survey Agency for 1...
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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 record review, the facility failed to have and maintain a sanitary kitchen, staff failed to follow hygienic practices, and failed to take and record temperatures f...
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Nov 2023
1 deficiency
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 F0655
(Tag F0655)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to create baseline care plans with the necessary information to safely...
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Aug 2023
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0554
(Tag F0554)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident was safe to self-administer medications, before leaving the medications at bedside, causing an increased ri...
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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 interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a PRN (as needed) psychotropic medication prescription had a rationale for continuation, and stop date, for 1 (#33) of 5 sampled res...
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Nov 2022
4 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 observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to complete a comprehensive care plan for interventions related to depression for 1 (#38 ) of 4 sampled residents. Findings incl...
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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 F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure post fall care plans were updated for 2 (#s 1 and 17) of 5 sampled residents. Findings include:
1. During an interview on 11/5/22 at...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0808
(Tag F0808)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the dietary department failed to provide the physician - ordered therapeutic diets, having the potential for a choking hazard, and affecting the nut...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to post the daily nurse staffing for all residents in the facility. Findings include:
During an observation on 11/5/22 at 11:45 ...
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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
- • 42% turnover. Below Montana's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 16 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $35,865 in fines. Higher than 94% of Montana facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
About This Facility
What is Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered 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 Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center Staffed?
CMS rates POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 42%, compared to the Montana average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center?
State health inspectors documented 16 deficiencies at POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER during 2022 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm, 13 with potential for harm, and 2 minor or isolated issues. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center?
POLSON 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 70 certified beds and approximately 52 residents (about 74% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in POLSON, Montana.
How Does Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center Compare to Other Montana Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Montana, POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (42%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Polson Health & Rehabilitation 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 Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, POLSON 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 4-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 Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center Stick Around?
POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 42%, 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 Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center Ever Fined?
POLSON HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER has been fined $35,865 across 3 penalty actions. The Montana average is $33,438. 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 Polson Health & Rehabilitation Center on Any Federal Watch List?
POLSON 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.