SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Samaritan Keep Nursing Home Inc has a Trust Grade of D, which means it is below average and has some significant concerns. It ranks #443 out of 594 facilities in New York, placing it in the bottom half, but it is the best option among the three facilities in Jefferson County. The facility's situation is worsening, with issues increasing from 6 in 2021 to 8 in 2024. Staffing is a major concern, receiving a 1 out of 5 stars, with a high turnover rate of 51%, which is above the state average of 40%. Additionally, the home has incurred $62,117 in fines, which is higher than 85% of New York facilities, indicating ongoing compliance problems. There are also several specific incidents that raise red flags. For example, the facility failed to provide necessary treatment for pressure ulcers, which affected all seven residents reviewed, with some not receiving the appropriate pressure relief despite their care plans. Furthermore, there were serious lapses in investigating allegations of abuse for multiple residents, leading to potential neglect and safety risks. While the nursing home does have some average inspection ratings, the concerning staffing levels and the critical incidents noted should be carefully weighed by families considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- D
- In New York
- #443/594
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 51% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $62,117 in fines. Lower than most New York facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 18 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for New York. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 17 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Below New York average (3.1)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
Near New York avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
The Ugly 17 deficiencies on record
Apr 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
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interviews during the abbreviated surveys (NY00308228 and NY00322916) the facility did not ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mist...
Read full inspector narrative →
Mar 2024
7 deficiencies
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 record review and interview during the recertification survey conducted 2/26/2024 -3/1/2024, the facility did not ensure a comprehensive person-centered care plan was developed and implemente...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, record review, and interview during the recertification and abbreviated (NY00302726, NY00316052, NY00322441) surveys conducted 2/26/2024- 3/1/2024, the facility did not ensure re...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0688
(Tag F0688)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, record review, and interview during the recertification survey conducted 2/26/2024-3/1/2024, the facility did not ensure residents with limited range of motion received appropria...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interview during the recertification and abbreviated (NY00322441) surveys conducted 2/2...
Read full inspector narrative →
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 F0760
(Tag F0760)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and interview during the recertification and abbreviated surveys (NY00316052) conducted 2/26/2024-3/1/2024 the facility did not ensure residents were free of significant medicat...
Read full inspector narrative →
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 during the recertification survey conducted 2/26/2024-3/1/2024, the facility did not establish and maintain an infection prevention and control progr...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
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 observation, record review, and interview during the recertification survey conducted 2/26/2024-3/1/2024, the facility ...
Read full inspector narrative →
Sept 2021
6 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0577
(Tag F0577)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, record review and interview during the recertification survey conducted 8/30-9/3/21, the facility failed to ensure reports with respect to any surveys, certifications and complai...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interviews during the recertification survey conducted from 8/30/21- 9/3/21, the facility failed to mai...
Read full inspector narrative →
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 observation, interview and record review during the recertification and abbreviated surveys (NY00281073) conducted from 8/30/21- 9/3/21, the facility did not ensure the resident environment r...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0805
(Tag F0805)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, record review and interview during the recertification survey conducted 8/30/21-9/3/21, the facility failed to ensure each resident received food and drink prepared in a form to ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Investigate Abuse
(Tag F0610)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, record review, and interview during the recertification and abbreviated (NY00278827 and NY00279852) surveys conducted from 8/30/21-9/3/21, the facility failed to ensure allegatio...
Read full inspector narrative →
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 during the recertification survey conducted 8/30/21 - 9/3/21 the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to p...
Read full inspector narrative →
Apr 2019
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0804
(Tag F0804)
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 during the recertification survey, the facility did not ensure the provision ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interview during the recertification survey, the facility did not ensure it established...
Read full inspector narrative →
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, record review and interviews during the recertification survey, the facility did not ensure labeling of drugs and biologicals in accordance with currently accepted professional p...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • 17 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • $62,117 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in New York. Major compliance failures.
- • Grade D (45/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Samaritan Keep Inc's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered below average nationally. Within New York, 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 Samaritan Keep Inc Staffed?
CMS rates SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 51%, compared to the New York average of 46%. RN turnover specifically is 57%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Samaritan Keep Inc?
State health inspectors documented 17 deficiencies at SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC during 2019 to 2024. These included: 17 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Samaritan Keep Inc?
SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 272 certified beds and approximately 251 residents (about 92% occupancy), it is a large facility located in WATERTOWN, New York.
How Does Samaritan Keep Inc Compare to Other New York Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New York, SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (51%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Samaritan Keep Inc?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "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 below-average staffing rating.
Is Samaritan Keep Inc Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC 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 New York. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Samaritan Keep Inc Stick Around?
SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC has a staff turnover rate of 51%, which is about average for New York 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 Samaritan Keep Inc Ever Fined?
SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC has been fined $62,117 across 1 penalty action. This is above the New York average of $33,700. 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 Samaritan Keep Inc on Any Federal Watch List?
SAMARITAN KEEP NURSING HOME INC 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.