NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY

3209 BRISTOL HWY, JOHNSON CITY, TN 37601 (423) 282-3311
For profit - Corporation 167 Beds NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
90/100
#25 of 298 in TN
Last Inspection: May 2022

Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.

Overview

NHC Healthcare in Johnson City, Tennessee, has an excellent Trust Grade of A, indicating it is highly recommended and performs well compared to other facilities. It ranks #25 out of 298 in the state and #2 out of 8 in Washington County, placing it in the top half of both categories. The facility is showing improvement, having reduced issues from 2 in 2018 to 1 in 2022. Staffing is a concern, with a below-average rating of 2 out of 5 stars, but a 31% turnover rate is still better than the state average. There have been no fines, which is a positive sign, and the facility boasts average RN coverage. However, inspector findings revealed some weaknesses, including failure to provide dental services for one resident and inaccuracies in medication administration and restraint documentation, highlighting areas that need attention. Overall, while NHC Healthcare has strong ratings in several areas, families should be aware of the staffing concerns and specific incidents that could impact resident care.

Trust Score
A
90/100
In Tennessee
#25/298
Top 8%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Getting Better
2 → 1 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
31% turnover. Near Tennessee's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
Penalties
✓ Good
No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Tennessee facilities.
Skilled Nurses
⚠ Watch
Each resident gets only 26 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Tennessee. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
Violations
✓ Good
Only 3 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
★★★★★
5.0
Overall Rating
★★☆☆☆
2.0
Staff Levels
★★★★★
5.0
Care Quality
★★★★★
5.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2018: 2 issues
2022: 1 issues

The Good

  • 5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover below average (31%)

    17 points below Tennessee average of 48%

Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.

The Bad

Staff Turnover: 31%

15pts below Tennessee avg (46%)

Typical for the industry

Chain: NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION

Part of a multi-facility chain

Ask about local staffing decisions and management

The Ugly 3 deficiencies on record

May 2022 1 deficiency
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Deficiency F0790 (Tag F0790)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on facility policy review, medical record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to provide dental servic...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on facility policy review, medical record review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to provide dental services for 1 resident (Resident #29) of 21 sampled residents. The finding include: Review of the facility policy Patient Rights, Dental Services, dated 1/2018, showed .the center will assist patients in obtaining routine and emergency dental services from an outside source .assist if necessary or requested in making appointments . Review of the medical record showed Resident #29 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses including Hypertensive Heart Disease with Heart Failure, Chronic Respiratory Failure with Hypoxia, Atherosclerotic Heart Disease, and Adjustment Disorder with Depressed Mood. Review of the quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS), dated [DATE], revealed a Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) of 13, indicating intact cognition. Review of the Care Plan for Altered Nutritional Status, updated 3/13/2022, revealed .dental consult as warranted . Review of the medical record revealed no documentation a dental referral was scheduled for Resident #29. Observation and interview with Resident #29 on 5/9/2022 at 10:45 AM, revealed brown stained lower teeth. The resident stated she had upper dentures and did not want lower dentures. She was not having pain, but was having problems with her lower teeth, and wanted to see a dentist. Continued interview confirmed she had not been asked by the facility to help her with a dental consult. During an interview on 5/10/2022 at 2:55 PM, the Social Service Director (SSD) stated she was responsible for scheduling resident dental visits. She stated the nurses either contacted her with concerns, made resident rounds, or she called family for the quarterly dental visits. A dental visit had been scheduled for 3/22/2022, but the dental group rescheduled for 5/25/2022. The SSD confirmed Resident #29 was not on the dental appointment list for 3/22/2022 or 5/25/2022; the facility did not have a consent or decline for dental services for Resident #29.
Jul 2018 2 deficiencies
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Assessment Accuracy (Tag F0641)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and interview the facility failed to ensure an accurate Minimum Date Set (MDS) for one resident (...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and interview the facility failed to ensure an accurate Minimum Date Set (MDS) for one resident (#89) of 43 sampled residents. The findings include: Medical record review revealed Resident #89 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses including Aphasia, Hemiplegia, and Dementia. Medical record review of a 14 day MDS dated [DATE] revealed .Section P .physical restraints .used in chair or out of bed .1 (indicating used less than daily) . Observation of the residents on 7/26/18 at 1:02 PM, in the resident's room, revealed resident alert and verbal sitting in wheelchair in room. Continued observation of the resident room revealed no restraint in place to resident or in resident room. Interview with the MDS coordinator on 7/25/18 at 8:50 AM, in the MDS office, confirmed the MDS dated [DATE] was not accurate and the resident had not used a physical restraint.
CONCERN (D)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Quality of Care (Tag F0684)

Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on facility policy review, review of the Lippincott Nursing Center, medical record review, facility documentation review, ...

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**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on facility policy review, review of the Lippincott Nursing Center, medical record review, facility documentation review, observation, and interview the facility failed to correctly administer medications for 1 resident (#335) of 6 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications. The findings include: Review of the undated facility policy Administering Medications revealed .3. Medications must be administered in accordance with the orders .4. The individual administering medications must verify the resident's identity before giving the resident his/her medications. Method of identifying the resident checking photograph attached to the electronic medical record .5. The individual administering the medication must check the label THREE (3) times to verify the right medication, right dosage, right time and right method (route) of administration before giving the medication .6. The following information must be check/verified for each resident prior to administering medications: a. Allergies to medications b. Vital signs, if necessary . Review of the Lippincott Nursing Center 8 Rights of Medication Administration dated 5/27/11 revealed the 8 rights of medication administration included the right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, right documentation, right reason, and right response. Medical record review revealed Resident #335 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses including Encounter for Orthopedic Aftercare, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Long term use of Antithrombotics/Antiplatelets, and Hypertension. Medical record review of a Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE] revealed the resident's cognitive skills for daily decision making was modified independence indicating the resident had some difficulty in new situations only. Review of facility documentation dated 7/17/18 revealed Resident #335 received the medications of another resident during the 9:00 AM medication pass. Continued review revealed the medications were administered incorrectly to Resident #335 based on mistaken identity. Medical record review of Resident #335's Electronic Medication Administration Record (eMAR) revealed the resident's 9:00 AM dose of Amlodipine-Benazepril (medication for blood pressure) was held on 7/17/18. Medical record review of a nurses' note dated 7/17/18 and timed 10:30 AM revealed the resident's blood pressure was 196/87; Heart rate was 60 beats per minute; respiratory rate was 18 breaths per minute and the Oxygen saturation (amount of oxygen in the blood) was 98% (percent). Continued review revealed the resident was alert and oriented. Medical record review of a Nurse Practitioner's note dated 7/17/18 revealed .Pt [patient] was given morning meds [medications] that were prescribed to another pt. He had not received his own meds at the time. Medications were reviewed. His own morning blood pressure medication was held due to medicines he received. Pt was seen approx [approximately] 2 hours after receiving medications. He was alert and oriented. No adverse affects have occurred at this time. Discussed with patinet [patient] and daughter that he may have some drowsiness. Vital signs checked per staff and were stable . Medical record review of a nurses' note dated 7/17/18 and timed 1:45 PM revealed the resident's blood pressure was 151/76 and the resident was alert and oriented. Medical record review of nurses' notes dated 7/17/18 from 1:54 PM through 2:30 PM revealed the resident complained of nausea with some .thin watery emesis . Continued review revealed the resident remained alert, oriented and had some complaints of dizziness and sleepiness. Medical record review of a nurses' note dated 7/17/18 and timed 3:00 PM, revealed the resident had no further emesis. Continued review revealed the resident reported he was feeling .a little better . and wanted to go to his doctor's appointment. Medical record review of a nurses' note dated 7/17/18 and timed 3:30 PM, revealed the resident was out of the facility for a doctor's appointment. Medical record review of a Provider Note dated 7/18/18 revealed .patient received wrong medications including Namenda [medication for Alzheimer's Disease], Requip [medication for restless leg syndrome], Cymbalta [medication for depression], Vitamin D [calcium], Risaquad [medication to balance good bacteria in the digestive system], Cozaar [blood pressure medication], and Coreg [blood pressure medication] . Observations of Resident #335 from 7/23/18 through 7/25/18 revealed the resident was participating in physical therapy and talking with other residents in the hallway. Interview with Resident #335 and the residents' daughter on 7/23/18 at 11:30 AM, in the resident's room revealed the resident had received another resident's medication on 7/17/18. The residents' daughter reported Resident #335 received 2 blood pressure medications, an antidepressant, medication for Alzheimer's Disease, and a vitamin in error. Interview with Nurse Practitioner (NP) #1 on 7/24/18 at 3:05 PM, in the Station 4 Chart Room confirmed Resident #335 received another resident's medications on 7/17/18. Further interview revealed the resident complained of nausea for a couple of hours and vomited 1 time. Continued interview revealed the resident's vital signs remained stable, all of the labs were normal and there were no adverse side effects. Interview with Resident #335 on 7/24/18 at 3:41 PM, in the resident's room revealed the resident had received the medications in the hallway as the resident was going to therapy. The resident reported he had gotten sleepy while in therapy, had nausea and vomiting, and was light headed. Interview with Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #1 on 7/24/18 at 3:41 PM, in the Infection Control Office revealed she thought Resident #335 came out of room [ROOM NUMBER]. LPN #1 confirmed she gave Resident #335 the medication for the resident occupying room [ROOM NUMBER]. Interview with the Director of Nursing on 7/24/18 at 4:27 PM, in the Station 4 Resident Care Coordinator's Office confirmed Resident #335 received the incorrect medication on 7/17/18 and confirmed the facility failed to follow the facility policy for medication administration.
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 A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Tennessee.
  • • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
  • • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Tennessee facilities.
  • • Only 3 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 Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Tennessee, 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 Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City Staffed?

CMS rates NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 31%, compared to the Tennessee average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.

What Have Inspectors Found at Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City?

State health inspectors documented 3 deficiencies at NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY during 2018 to 2022. These included: 3 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City?

NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 167 certified beds and approximately 157 residents (about 94% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in JOHNSON CITY, Tennessee.

How Does Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City Compare to Other Tennessee Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Tennessee, NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (31%) 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 Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City?

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 Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY 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 Tennessee. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.

Do Nurses at Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City Stick Around?

NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY has a staff turnover rate of 31%, which is about average for Tennessee 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 Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City Ever Fined?

NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY 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 Nhc Healthcare, Johnson City on Any Federal Watch List?

NHC HEALTHCARE, JOHNSON CITY 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.