FORT SANDERS TCU

1901 CLINCH AVE, KNOXVILLE, TN 37916 (865) 541-1111
Non profit - Corporation 24 Beds COVENANT HEALTH Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
90/100
#9 of 298 in TN
Last Inspection: June 2025

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

Overview

Fort Sanders TCU in Knoxville, Tennessee, has received an excellent Trust Grade of A, indicating it is highly recommended and performs well compared to other facilities. It ranks #9 out of 298 nursing homes in Tennessee, placing it in the top half, and #1 out of 13 in Knox County, making it the best option in the area. The facility is new and has had no recorded issues during inspections, which is a promising sign of its quality. Staffing is also a strength, with a perfect 5-star rating and a turnover rate of 36%, which is lower than the state average of 48%. Additionally, Fort Sanders TCU has more RN coverage than all other Tennessee facilities, ensuring that residents receive attentive care. Overall, this facility stands out for its high quality and lack of compliance issues, making it a strong choice for families seeking care for their loved ones.

Trust Score
A
90/100
In Tennessee
#9/298
Top 3%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Too New
0 → 0 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
36% 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
✓ Good
Each resident gets 238 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Tennessee nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
Violations
✓ Good
No deficiencies on record. Exceptional compliance history. Very rare.
★★★★★
5.0
Overall Rating
★★★★★
5.0
Staff Levels
★★★★★
5.0
Care Quality
★★★★★
5.0
Inspection Score
Stable
: 0 issues
2025: 0 issues

The Good

  • 5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
  • 5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover below average (36%)

    12 points below Tennessee average of 48%

Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.

The Bad

Staff Turnover: 36%

Near Tennessee avg (46%)

Typical for the industry

Chain: COVENANT HEALTH

Part of a multi-facility chain

Ask about local staffing decisions and management

The Ugly 0 deficiencies on record

Clean Inspection Record

This facility has zero deficiencies on record - the average nursing home has 7. Only 1% of facilities nationally achieve a completely clean inspection record.

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.
  • • No deficiencies on record. Exceptional compliance history. Very rare.
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 Fort Sanders Tcu's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns FORT SANDERS TCU 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 Fort Sanders Tcu Staffed?

CMS rates FORT SANDERS TCU's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 36%, compared to the Tennessee average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.

What Have Inspectors Found at Fort Sanders Tcu?

Based on CMS data, FORT SANDERS TCU has no deficiency citations on record during the current review period. This is relatively uncommon - most facilities receive at least some citations during routine inspections.

Who Owns and Operates Fort Sanders Tcu?

FORT SANDERS TCU is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by COVENANT HEALTH, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 24 certified beds and approximately 18 residents (about 75% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in KNOXVILLE, Tennessee.

How Does Fort Sanders Tcu Compare to Other Tennessee Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Tennessee, FORT SANDERS TCU's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (36%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Fort Sanders Tcu?

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 Fort Sanders Tcu Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, FORT SANDERS TCU 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 Fort Sanders Tcu Stick Around?

FORT SANDERS TCU has a staff turnover rate of 36%, 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 Fort Sanders Tcu Ever Fined?

FORT SANDERS TCU 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 Fort Sanders Tcu on Any Federal Watch List?

FORT SANDERS TCU 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.