Tockwotton on the Waterfront
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Tockwotton on the Waterfront has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice, though not the top tier. It ranks #31 out of 72 facilities in Rhode Island, placing it in the top half, and #19 out of 41 in Providence County, which means only a few local options are better. However, the facility's trend is worsening, with issues increasing from 2 in 2024 to 8 in 2025. Staffing is a strength, earning a 5/5 star rating with a turnover rate of 35%, which is lower than the state average. On the downside, there have been concerning incidents, including a serious medication error that led to a resident's hospitalization due to an overdose, and issues with food safety in the kitchen, such as improperly stored foods and cleanliness problems. Overall, while there are strengths in staff stability and a decent Trust Grade, the facility has significant areas that need improvement.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Rhode Island
- #31/72
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 35% turnover. Near Rhode Island's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ⚠ Watch
- $8,278 in fines. Higher than 95% of Rhode Island facilities. Major compliance failures.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 63 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Rhode Island nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 12 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (35%)
13 points below Rhode Island average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
11pts below Rhode Island avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
The Ugly 12 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
2 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to ensure that residents are free of any significant medication errors for 1 of 1 resident reviewed, Residen...
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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 F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to follow a physician's order relative to a significant change in condition for 1 of 1 resident reviewed who...
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Feb 2025
6 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 surveyor observation, record review, and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to ensure tha...
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CONCERN
(D)
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 staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to ensure that residents are free from any significant medication errors for 1 of 2 residents reviewed with ...
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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 surveyor observation, record review, and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to provide and prepare food in a form designed to meet individual needs for 1 of 2 re...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to ensure that medical records are accurately documented for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for sliding scale ins...
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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 surveyor observation, record review, and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to maintain an infection prevention and control program to help prevent the transmiss...
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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 surveyor observation, record review, and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to prepare, store, and distribute food according to professional standards of food se...
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Feb 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and staff interview, it has been determined that the facility failed to ensure that services provided meet professional standards of quality, relative to following a physician's...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review and staff interview it has been determined that the facility failed to maintain medical records on each resident that are accurately documented and complete for 1 of 1 resident ...
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Jan 2023
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Room Equipment
(Tag F0908)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on surveyor observation, record review, and staff interview it has been determined the facility failed to maintain all mec...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on surveyor observation and staff interview it has been determined that the facility failed to ensure that food is stored ...
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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
- • 35% turnover. Below Rhode Island's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 12 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
About This Facility
What is Tockwotton On The Waterfront's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Tockwotton on the Waterfront an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Rhode Island, 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 Tockwotton On The Waterfront Staffed?
CMS rates Tockwotton on the Waterfront's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 35%, compared to the Rhode Island average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Tockwotton On The Waterfront?
State health inspectors documented 12 deficiencies at Tockwotton on the Waterfront during 2023 to 2025. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 11 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Tockwotton On The Waterfront?
Tockwotton on the Waterfront 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 52 certified beds and approximately 49 residents (about 94% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in East Providence, Rhode Island.
How Does Tockwotton On The Waterfront Compare to Other Rhode Island Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Rhode Island, Tockwotton on the Waterfront's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (35%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Tockwotton On The Waterfront?
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 Tockwotton On The Waterfront Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Tockwotton on the Waterfront 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 Rhode Island. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Tockwotton On The Waterfront Stick Around?
Tockwotton on the Waterfront has a staff turnover rate of 35%, which is about average for Rhode Island 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 Tockwotton On The Waterfront Ever Fined?
Tockwotton on the Waterfront has been fined $8,278 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Rhode Island average of $33,162. 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 Tockwotton On The Waterfront on Any Federal Watch List?
Tockwotton on the Waterfront 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.