SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center has a Trust Grade of B+, which means it is above average and generally recommended for families. It ranks #230 out of 653 facilities in Pennsylvania, placing it in the top half, but it is #11 out of 12 in Northampton County, indicating limited local competition. The facility's trend is improving, with the number of issues decreasing from 6 in 2024 to 3 in 2025. However, staffing is a weakness with a rating of 2 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 48%, which is around the state average, suggesting that staff may not stay long enough to build strong relationships with residents. On the positive side, there have been no fines recorded, which is a good sign of compliance. Additionally, although RN coverage is average, the facility has been cited for concerns like improper food storage and unsecured medication access, which could pose risks for residents. One specific incident involved a resident not receiving their meal while others were served, which raises concerns about maintaining dignity during mealtimes. Overall, while Slate Belt has strengths, it also has notable areas for improvement that families should consider.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Pennsylvania
- #230/653
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 48% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Pennsylvania facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 33 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Pennsylvania. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ○ Average
- 9 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Near Pennsylvania avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 9 deficiencies on record
Jun 2025
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 F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on a review of facility policy, observation, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that medications/biologicals were securely stored in a manner that prevente...
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Feb 2025
2 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 observation and resident interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that meals were served in a ma...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to implement physician's orders for one of 22 sampled residents. (Resident 85)
Findings include:
Clinic...
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Feb 2024
6 deficiencies
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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on facility policy review, clinical record review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to noti...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to develop a comprehensive care ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0697
(Tag F0697)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on facility policy review, clinical record review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to attempt non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate pain prior to the adm...
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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 facility policy review, observation, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to properly store food and maintain sanitary conditions in the dietary department.
Findin...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Transfer Notice
(Tag F0623)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to notify the resident's represe...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on facility policy review, personnel file review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to obtain reference checks prior to the start of employment for five of five new...
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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 B+ (80/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Pennsylvania.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Pennsylvania facilities.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Pennsylvania, 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 Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center Staffed?
CMS rates SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 48%, compared to the Pennsylvania average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center?
State health inspectors documented 9 deficiencies at SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER during 2024 to 2025. These included: 7 with potential for harm and 2 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center?
SLATE BELT 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 SABER HEALTHCARE GROUP, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 119 certified beds and approximately 109 residents (about 92% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in BANGOR, Pennsylvania.
How Does Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center Compare to Other Pennsylvania Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Pennsylvania, SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (48%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center?
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 Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, SLATE BELT 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 Pennsylvania. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center Stick Around?
SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 48%, which is about average for Pennsylvania 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 Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center Ever Fined?
SLATE BELT HEALTH & REHABILITATION CENTER 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 Slate Belt Health & Rehabilitation Center on Any Federal Watch List?
SLATE BELT 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.