LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME

1200 GRUBB STREET, PALMYRA, PA 17078 (717) 838-5406
Non profit - Corporation 88 Beds Independent Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
90/100
#68 of 653 in PA
Last Inspection: January 2024

Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.

Overview

Lebanon Valley Brethren Home has received an excellent Trust Grade of A, indicating a high level of quality and care. With a state ranking of #68 out of 653 facilities in Pennsylvania and #2 out of 10 in Lebanon County, it is among the better options available locally. The facility's performance has been stable, with only one issue reported in both 2022 and 2024. Staffing is a strength, with a 5-star rating and a turnover rate of 30%, which is significantly lower than the state average, suggesting that staff are experienced and familiar with resident needs. However, there are some concerns, including incidents where pain management was not consistent with professional standards, and another where a resident at risk for falls did not receive adequate supervision, highlighting areas needing improvement.

Trust Score
A
90/100
In Pennsylvania
#68/653
Top 10%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Holding Steady
1 → 1 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
30% 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 45 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Pennsylvania. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
Violations
✓ Good
Only 2 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
★★★★★
5.0
Overall Rating
★★★★★
5.0
Staff Levels
★★★★★
5.0
Care Quality
★★★★★
5.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2022: 1 issues
2024: 1 issues

The Good

  • 5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
  • 5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover below average (30%)

    18 points below Pennsylvania average of 48%

Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.

The Bad

Staff Turnover: 30%

16pts below Pennsylvania avg (46%)

Typical for the industry

The Ugly 2 deficiencies on record

Jan 2024 1 deficiency
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 clinical record review, resident interview, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure pain management was consistent with professional standards and failed to ...

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Based on clinical record review, resident interview, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure pain management was consistent with professional standards and failed to attempt non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate pain prior to the administration of pain medication prescribed on an as needed basis for one of 16 sampled residents. (Resident 18) Findings include: Clinical record review revealed that Resident 18 had diagnoses that included dementia, anxiety, and diabetes. There were physician's orders dated July 14, 2022, for staff to administer the narcotic pain medication, oxycodone, every four hours as needed for very severe pain, rating nine to 10 only. Review of Resident 18's care plan revealed the resident had chronic pain with interventions for staff to evaluate if interventions were effective, notify the physician if interventions were unsuccessful, and offer non-pharmacological interventions. In an interview on January 10, 2024, at 9:30 a.m., Resident 18 stated she was in pain. Review of the Medication Administration Records for December 2023, and January 2024, revealed that the resident received the as needed narcotic (oxycodone) on December 9 and 29, 2023, and January 6 and 10, 2024 for a pain rating less than the ordered nine to 10 parameter. The Resident received the as needed narcotic twice on December 29, 2023, and on January 2 and 6, 2024, without documented evidence that non-pharmacological interventions were attempted prior to administration. In addition, on December 9 and 29, 2023, and January 6 and 10, 2024, staff documented that the medication was ineffective or unknown. There was no documented evidence that the physician was notified. During an interview on January 11, 2024, at 12:58 p.m., the Director of Nursing confirmed that the oxycodone was given outside parameters and that there was a lack of documentation to support that non-pharmacological interventions for pain had been provided prior to the administration of as needed pain medication or that the physician was notified of the unsuccessful interventions. 28 Pa. Code 211.9(a)(1) Pharmacy services. 28 Pa. Code 211.12(d)(1)(5) Nursing services.
Mar 2022 1 deficiency
CONCERN (D)

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 clinical record review, review of incident reports, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to ...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, review of incident reports, and staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision for a resident who exhibited behaviors and failed to ensure that an assessed safety intervention was in place in order to prevent falls for one of eight sampled residents who were at risk for falls. (Resident 120) Findings include: Clinical record review revealed that Resident 120 was admitted to the facility on [DATE], with diagnoses that included dementia with behavioral disturbance, psychosis, insomnia, restlessness, and agitation. Review of the current care plan identified the resident was at risk for falls due to dementia and poor safety awareness. There was an intervention since admission for staff to ensure that the resident had a chair and bed silent mobility detector (device to alert staff of unassisted transfers and ambulation) in place at all times. Review of the fall risk evaluation from admission revealed that the resident had a history of falling, had a weak gait (was weak when walking) and that he overestimated or forgot the limits of his own ability to ambulate safely which placed him at a high risk for falling. The Minimum Data Set assessment dated [DATE], indicated that the resident had memory impairment, had delusions, exhibited both verbal and physical behaviors over the last four to six days and that the behaviors interfered with the resident's care. In addition, the assessment indicated that the resident required supervision for transfers and walking, was not steady when he was walking, required assistance with toileting and had a history of falls. Review of nursing documentation revealed that on March 3, 2022, the resident exhibited aggression towards staff. On March 5, 2022, at 1:30 p.m., the resident was found on the floor near his bed. On March 6, 2022, at 2:34 a.m., the resident was noted as restless and was hollering out. On March 11, 2022, the resident was refusing his medications and was resistive to care. On March 13, 2022, at 10:05 a.m., the resident was noted as wandering on the unit and was agitated. On March 15, 2022, at 3:24 a.m., the resident was noted as restless and wandering on the unit. The resident was getting up and down in his chair and was unable to sit for very long. On the same day at 5:13 a.m., he was again noted with increased behaviors and was extremely restless. Again on the same day at 1:41 p.m., the resident was noted as refusing his medications. Review of an incident report dated March 15, 2022, at 7:40 p.m., revealed that the resident was found on the floor in his room with his head beside the dresser. The resident had taken himself to the bathroom and when walking back from the bathroom he fell and struck his head on the dresser drawer when he fell. It was noted that the chair alarm pad was in place but that it was not connected to the alarm box and therefore, the alarm did not sound to alert staff of the unassisted transfer out of the chair. Review of a witness statement revealed that before the fall, a staff member had assisted him to his chair after he had been wandering in the hallway. The statement indicated that the staff member forgot to plug the alarm from the bed to his chair and had left the room. Subsequently, the resident transferred himself out of the chair, walked to the bathroom, and fell on the way back from the bathroom. The facility failed to provide adequate supervision to a resident who had exhibited restless and wandering behaviors and failed to ensure that the assessed safety intervention (silent mobility chair alarm) had been in place at the time of the fall. In an interview on March 24, 2022, at 9:34 a.m., the Administrator stated that the assessed safety intervention had not been in place properly in order to activate the alarm at the time of the fall. 28 Pa. Code 211.12(d)(1)(5) Nursing services. .
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

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

Strengths
  • • Grade A (90/100). 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.
  • • Only 2 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
Concerns
  • • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
Bottom line: Generally positive indicators. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.

About This Facility

What is Lebanon Valley Brethren Home's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much 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 Lebanon Valley Brethren Home Staffed?

CMS rates LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 30%, compared to the Pennsylvania average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.

What Have Inspectors Found at Lebanon Valley Brethren Home?

State health inspectors documented 2 deficiencies at LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME during 2022 to 2024. These included: 2 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Lebanon Valley Brethren Home?

LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME 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 88 certified beds and approximately 64 residents (about 73% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in PALMYRA, Pennsylvania.

How Does Lebanon Valley Brethren Home Compare to Other Pennsylvania Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Pennsylvania, LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (30%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Lebanon Valley Brethren Home?

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 Lebanon Valley Brethren Home Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME 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 5-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 Lebanon Valley Brethren Home Stick Around?

LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME has a staff turnover rate of 30%, 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 Lebanon Valley Brethren Home Ever Fined?

LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME 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 Lebanon Valley Brethren Home on Any Federal Watch List?

LEBANON VALLEY BRETHREN HOME 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.