John Edward Harter Nursing Center
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
John Edward Harter Nursing Center in Fairfax, South Carolina has received a Trust Grade of B+, indicating it is above average and a recommended choice for families. Ranked #40 of 186 in South Carolina, they sit comfortably in the top half of facilities, and as the only option in Allendale County, they are the best choice locally. The facility is new, with its first inspection showing a stable trend with only two concerns noted, but no critical or serious issues identified. Staffing is a significant concern, rated only 1 out of 5 stars, although they have a remarkable 0% turnover rate, meaning staff remain consistent. Recent inspections highlighted two specific concerns: the facility failed to submit required staffing information on time, and they did not implement a water management program to minimize potential risks from Legionella bacteria, which is crucial for resident safety. Overall, while there are some weaknesses, particularly in compliance and staffing reporting, the absence of fines and high quality measures indicate positive aspects worth considering.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In South Carolina
- #40/186
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Too New
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- Turnover data not reported for this facility.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most South Carolina facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- RN staffing data not reported for this facility.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 2 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
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5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
No Significant Concerns Identified
This facility shows no red flags. Among South Carolina's 100 nursing homes, only 0% achieve this.
The Ugly 2 deficiencies on record
May 2025
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Staffing Data
(Tag F0851)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to submit the required staffing information based on payroll data in a uniform format by the required deadline. Specifically, the facility fa...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and review of facility policy, the facility failed to establish and implement a water management program whic...
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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 South Carolina.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most South Carolina facilities.
- • Only 2 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is John Edward Harter Nursing Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns John Edward Harter Nursing Center an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within South Carolina, 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 John Edward Harter Nursing Center Staffed?
CMS rates John Edward Harter Nursing Center's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes.
What Have Inspectors Found at John Edward Harter Nursing Center?
State health inspectors documented 2 deficiencies at John Edward Harter Nursing Center during 2025. These included: 2 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates John Edward Harter Nursing Center?
John Edward Harter Nursing Center 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 44 certified beds and approximately 22 residents (about 50% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Fairfax, South Carolina.
How Does John Edward Harter Nursing Center Compare to Other South Carolina Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in South Carolina, John Edward Harter Nursing Center's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 2.9 and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting John Edward Harter Nursing 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 John Edward Harter Nursing Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, John Edward Harter Nursing 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 South Carolina. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at John Edward Harter Nursing Center Stick Around?
John Edward Harter Nursing Center has not reported staff turnover data to CMS. Staff turnover matters because consistent caregivers learn residents' individual needs, medications, and preferences. When staff frequently change, this institutional knowledge is lost. Families should ask the facility directly about their staff retention rates and average employee tenure.
Was John Edward Harter Nursing Center Ever Fined?
John Edward Harter Nursing 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 John Edward Harter Nursing Center on Any Federal Watch List?
John Edward Harter Nursing 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.