NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
NHC Healthcare in Sparta, Tennessee, has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice among nursing homes. It ranks #146 out of 298 facilities in the state, placing it in the top half, and #2 out of 2 in White County, meaning there is only one other local facility. However, the trend is worsening, with the number of issues identified increasing from 1 in 2024 to 5 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, with a 4 out of 5 star rating and a turnover rate of 35%, which is significantly better than the state average. On the downside, there were specific concerns such as the kitchen not being maintained in a sanitary condition and failures in documenting residents' advance directives, as well as a serious incident where a resident was not protected from potential abuse by another resident.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Tennessee
- #146/298
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 35% 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 44 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Tennessee. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ○ Average
- 7 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (35%)
13 points below Tennessee average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Tennessee average (2.8)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
10pts below Tennessee avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 7 deficiencies on record
Jun 2025
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0578
(Tag F0578)
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, and interview, the facility failed to document if residents had an advan...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 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
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
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, review of facility documents, and interview, the facility failed to prot...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
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 date and properly sto...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0925
(Tag F0925)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews, facility documentation review, and review of the facility's policy, the facility failed to maintain an effective pest control system to ensure the kitchen's environm...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on review of the facility policy, review of the United Stated Department of Agricultures' website, observation and intervi...
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Feb 2024
1 deficiency
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
Based on observation, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to document, report, and monitor a newly identified skin alteration for 1 (Resident #70) of 2 residents...
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Oct 2019
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, fall investigation review, observation and interview, the facility failed to provide interventio...
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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
- • 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.
- • 35% turnover. Below Tennessee's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • No major red flags. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.
About This Facility
What is Nhc Healthcare, Sparta's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Tennessee, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Nhc Healthcare, Sparta Staffed?
CMS rates NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 35%, compared to the Tennessee average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Nhc Healthcare, Sparta?
State health inspectors documented 7 deficiencies at NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA during 2019 to 2025. These included: 7 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Nhc Healthcare, Sparta?
NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA 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 96 certified beds and approximately 92 residents (about 96% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in SPARTA, Tennessee.
How Does Nhc Healthcare, Sparta Compare to Other Tennessee Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Tennessee, NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (35%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Nhc Healthcare, Sparta?
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 Nhc Healthcare, Sparta Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA 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 3-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, Sparta Stick Around?
NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA has a staff turnover rate of 35%, 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, Sparta Ever Fined?
NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA 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, Sparta on Any Federal Watch List?
NHC HEALTHCARE, SPARTA 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.