Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care has a Trust Grade of D, which means it is below average and has some concerning issues. It ranks #78 out of 186 facilities in South Carolina, placing it in the top half, and is the best option among two facilities in Kershaw County. The facility is showing improvement, with the number of issues decreasing from 2 in 2024 to 1 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, receiving a 5/5 rating with a turnover rate of 38%, which is better than the state average. However, the facility has $42,385 in fines, which is higher than 82% of facilities in the state, indicating potential compliance problems. Specific concerns include a critical incident where a resident received multiple medications not prescribed to them, leading to hospitalization, and a serious error where another resident's blood pressure dropped after receiving medications meant for someone else. Additionally, the facility failed to maintain an effective Antibiotic Stewardship Program, which is essential for appropriate antibiotic use. While staffing is a clear strength, these safety and compliance issues are significant weaknesses to consider.
- Trust Score
- D
- In South Carolina
- #78/186
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 38% turnover. Near South Carolina's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $42,385 in fines. Lower than most South Carolina facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 53 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for South Carolina. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 5 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (38%)
10 points below South Carolina average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near South Carolina average (2.8)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near South Carolina avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
The Ugly 5 deficiencies on record
Jul 2025
1 deficiency
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of facility policies, resident records, and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure that Resident (R)1 w...
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Jul 2024
2 deficiencies
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, interview and review of facility policy, the facility failed to follow infection control gu...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Antibiotic Stewardship
(Tag F0881)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review, review of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, and review of facility p...
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Sept 2023
1 deficiency
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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Amended 03/18/25
Based on interviews, record review, and review of the facility policy, the facility failed to ensure significan...
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Nov 2020
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** On 11/03/20 at approximately 8:52 AM Resident #52 was observed in his/her room with multiple pills laying on a paper towel with ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • 38% turnover. Below South Carolina's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s), 1 harm violation(s), $42,385 in fines. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 5 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $42,385 in fines. Higher than 94% of South Carolina facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- • Grade D (48/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within South Carolina, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care Staffed?
CMS rates Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 38%, compared to the South Carolina average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care?
State health inspectors documented 5 deficiencies at Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care during 2020 to 2025. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death), 1 that caused actual resident harm, and 3 with potential for harm. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.
Who Owns and Operates Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care?
Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 132 certified beds and approximately 125 residents (about 95% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Camden, South Carolina.
How Does Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care Compare to Other South Carolina Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in South Carolina, Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (38%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (2 stars) is below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "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 facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations.
Is Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 1 Immediate Jeopardy citation (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in South Carolina. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care Stick Around?
Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care has a staff turnover rate of 38%, which is about average for South Carolina 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 Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care Ever Fined?
Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care has been fined $42,385 across 2 penalty actions. The South Carolina average is $33,503. 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 Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care on Any Federal Watch List?
Kershaw Health Karesh Long Term Care 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.