BALL PAVILION, THE
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Ball Pavilion in Erie, Pennsylvania has a Trust Grade of B+, indicating it is above average and recommended for families considering care options. It ranks #155 out of 653 facilities in Pennsylvania, placing it in the top half statewide, and #7 out of 18 in Erie County, suggesting that only a few local homes offer better options. The facility is improving; it has reduced issues from 7 in 2023 to 3 in 2025. Staffing is rated 4 out of 5 stars, showing stability with 45% turnover, which is slightly below the state average. Notably, there have been no fines recorded, which is a positive sign. However, there are some concerns. Recent inspections revealed that the dish machine was not sanitizing properly, as it only reached 146 degrees instead of the required temperatures, which could risk food safety. Additionally, monthly pharmacy drug regimen reviews were not completed for several residents, indicating potential oversight in medication management. Lastly, the facility has struggled to maintain cleanliness, with wheelchairs observed to have food residue and dust, and some in disrepair. While Ball Pavilion has several strengths, families should weigh these issues when considering this nursing home.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Pennsylvania
- #155/653
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 45% turnover. Near Pennsylvania's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Pennsylvania facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 49 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Pennsylvania. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ○ Average
- 10 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (45%)
3 points below Pennsylvania average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Pennsylvania avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 10 deficiencies on record
Mar 2025
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record and policy review, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to provide care rega...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Drug Regimen Review
(Tag F0756)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on review of facility contract and policy, and clinical record review, and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that monthly pharmacy drug regimen reviews were ...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of clinical records and Minimum Data Set (MDS - federally mandated standardized assessment conducted at specific...
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May 2023
7 deficiencies
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 review of facility policy and clinical records and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to update and/or individualize care plans for two of 17 residents reviewed (Resi...
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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 review of clinical records, observations and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to provide appropriate care regarding a urinary catheter (a tube placed and held in th...
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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 review of clinical records, observations, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to promote cleanliness and prevent the potential spread of infection regarding respir...
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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 review of facility policy, clinical records, observations, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to prevent the potential for cross contamination during a dressing c...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain a clean homelike environment for two of two resident neighborhoods (A and B Wings).
Findings include:...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on review of facility policy and clinical records, and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to develop a comprehensive care plan for six of 17 residents reviewed (Residen...
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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 observations and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed monitor the sanitizing functions of the dish machine in the main kitchen, and store food and food containers in a...
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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.
- • 45% turnover. Below Pennsylvania's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Ball Pavilion, The's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns BALL PAVILION, THE 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 Ball Pavilion, The Staffed?
CMS rates BALL PAVILION, THE's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 45%, compared to the Pennsylvania average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Ball Pavilion, The?
State health inspectors documented 10 deficiencies at BALL PAVILION, THE during 2023 to 2025. These included: 9 with potential for harm and 1 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Ball Pavilion, The?
BALL PAVILION, THE 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 85 certified beds and approximately 67 residents (about 79% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in ERIE, Pennsylvania.
How Does Ball Pavilion, The Compare to Other Pennsylvania Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Pennsylvania, BALL PAVILION, THE's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (45%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Ball Pavilion, The?
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 Ball Pavilion, The Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, BALL PAVILION, THE 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 Ball Pavilion, The Stick Around?
BALL PAVILION, THE has a staff turnover rate of 45%, 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 Ball Pavilion, The Ever Fined?
BALL PAVILION, THE 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 Ball Pavilion, The on Any Federal Watch List?
BALL PAVILION, THE 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.