John Edward Harter Nursing Center

185 Revolutionary Trail, Fairfax, SC 29827 (803) 632-3334
Non profit - Corporation 44 Beds Independent Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
80/100
#40 of 186 in SC
Last Inspection: May 2025

Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.

Overview

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+
80/100
In South Carolina
#40/186
Top 21%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Too New
0 → 2 violations
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.
★★★★☆
4.0
Overall Rating
★☆☆☆☆
1.0
Staff Levels
★★★★★
5.0
Care Quality
★★★★☆
4.0
Inspection Score
Stable
: 0 issues
2025: 2 issues

The Good

  • 5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • 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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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 failed to submit data for quarter one (October 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024) of the federal fiscal year 2025. Findings include: A review of the facility's Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) report from Center of Medicare Services (CMS) revealed the facility failed to submit data within the required timeline for quarter one of 2025. Review of the facility's document titled CMS Data Submission Report for quarter one of 2025, revealed it did not contain all the components required by CMS, specifically the daily resident census was not included in the report. During an interview conducted with the Administrator on 05/08/25 at 2:28 PM, the Administrator confirmed the PBJ report submitted for quarter one of 2025 did not include the required information of the daily resident census.
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...

Read full inspector narrative →
**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 which identified measures to minimize the risk of Legionella in the facility. Findings include: Review of the facility's policy titled Legionnaire's Disease Policy and Procedure, effective date 01/02/20 revealed, Legionnaires' disease is a serious pneumonia caused by the Legionella bacteria. It is not contagious and is typically contracted by inhaling contaminated water droplets, often from contaminated sources like cooling towers or water systems in buildings. Symptoms can include fever, cough, chills, muscle aches, and headaches, similar to the flu . To test for Legionella in a nursing home, start with a risk assessment to identify high-risk areas. Then, create a sampling plan, collect water samples from identified sites, and analyze them in a lab. Finally, implement a water management plan to control Legionella growth and spread, including regular testing and corrective actions . 1. Establish a WMP team (Infection control Team). 2. Describe the building water systems. 3. Identify areas where Legionella could grow and spread. 4. Decide where to apply and how to monitor control measures. 5. Establish interventions when control limits are not met. 6. Ensure the program runs as designed and is effective . During an interview on 05/08/25 at 2:45 PM the Director of Nursing (DON) presented water testing results for the facility's activities room, and empty resident room [ROOM NUMBER]. When asked if the facility had a process for evaluating all areas identified by the facility as potential sites for Legionella growth, the DON stated she only had testing results date 01/24/25 for the activities room and room [ROOM NUMBER]. When asked for a water management program that governed the facility's Legionella prevention program, the DON stated she would look for it. When asked who was responsible for the facility's water management and legionella program, the DON stated she was responsible for the program. During an interview on 05/08/25 at 4:29 PM, the DON admitted the facility did not have a Legionella prevention program. Per the facility's policy, the DON admitted she had not: 1. Established a WMP (water management program) team; 2. Described the building's water systems; 3. Identified areas where Legionella could grow and spread in the facility; 4. Decided where to apply and how to monitor control measures. 5. Established interventions when control limits are not met. 6. Ensured the program runs as designed and is effective.
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 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.
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 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.