AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Avera Sister James Care Center has received a Trust Grade of A, indicating it is an excellent choice for families looking for care, as it is highly recommended. It ranks #4 out of 95 facilities in South Dakota, placing it in the top half of the state, and is the best option in Yankton County. However, the facility's trend is worsening, with reported issues increasing from 1 in 2024 to 2 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, with a 5/5 rating and a turnover rate of only 25%, which is much lower than the state average, ensuring that staff are familiar with residents. The facility has no fines, which is positive, and it offers more RN coverage than 89% of South Dakota facilities. On the downside, there are some concerning incidents, such as a failure to enforce the tobacco-free policy, with residents smoking on the property despite the rules. Additionally, some residents did not receive their scheduled baths for extended periods, indicating potential gaps in personal care. Lastly, sanitation issues were noted in the kitchen, where grease and dust build-up were observed, raising concerns about cleanliness. Overall, while Avera Sister James Care Center has many strengths, families should be aware of these weaknesses.
- Trust Score
- A
- In South Dakota
- #4/95
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 25% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 23 points below South Dakota's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most South Dakota facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 62 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of South Dakota nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ○ Average
- 6 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
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5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Low Staff Turnover (25%) · Staff stability means consistent care
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
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Staff turnover is low (25%)
23 points below South Dakota average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
No Significant Concerns Identified
This facility shows no red flags. Among South Dakota's 100 nursing homes, only 1% achieve this.
The Ugly 6 deficiencies on record
Jan 2025
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0554
(Tag F0554)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. Observation and interview on 1/6/25 at 4:39 p.m. in resident 80's room revealed:
*A nebulizer machine (a medical device that ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Smoking Policies
(Tag F0926)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the provider failed to implement their tobaco free campus pol...
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Jan 2024
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
📢 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 F0676
(Tag F0676)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
11. Review of the 1/22/24 Dakota Neighborhood Bath Schedule sheet revealed:
*Resident 4 had not received a bath in 15 days.
*Resident 6 had not received a bath in 13 days.
*Resident 5 had not received...
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Sept 2023
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0625
(Tag F0625)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review, interview, and policy review, the provider failed to ensure two of two sampled residents (17 and 71) on the 200 Cabin unit had received a proper notification of bed hold notice...
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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 observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the provider failed to ensure three of ten sampled residents (68, 77 and 155) were assessed for ability the to safely self-administer...
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Aug 2022
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and policy review, the provider failed to ensure proper sanitation practices for:
*One of one o...
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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 A (93/100). Above average facility, better than most options in South Dakota.
- • 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 Dakota facilities.
- • 25% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 23 points below South Dakota's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Avera Sister James's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE CENTER an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within South Dakota, 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 Avera Sister James Staffed?
CMS rates AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE CENTER's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 25%, compared to the South Dakota average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Avera Sister James?
State health inspectors documented 6 deficiencies at AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE CENTER during 2022 to 2025. These included: 6 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Avera Sister James?
AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE 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 187 certified beds and approximately 181 residents (about 97% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in YANKTON, South Dakota.
How Does Avera Sister James Compare to Other South Dakota Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in South Dakota, AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE CENTER's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.7, staff turnover (25%) 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 Avera Sister James?
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 Avera Sister James Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in South Dakota. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Avera Sister James Stick Around?
Staff at AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE CENTER tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 25%, the facility is 21 percentage points below the South Dakota average of 46%. Low turnover is a positive sign. It means caregivers have time to learn each resident's needs, medications, and personal preferences. Consistent staff also notice subtle changes in a resident's condition more quickly. Registered Nurse turnover is also low at 26%, meaning experienced RNs are available to handle complex medical needs.
Was Avera Sister James Ever Fined?
AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE 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 Avera Sister James on Any Federal Watch List?
AVERA SISTER JAMES CARE 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.