ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Elk River Health & Nursing Center of Winchester has a Trust Grade of C+, indicating that the facility is slightly above average but not exceptional. It ranks #185 out of 298 nursing homes in Tennessee, placing it in the bottom half, and is the last option in Franklin County at #3 out of 3. The facility is improving, with reported issues decreasing from five in 2024 to one in 2025, although it still has a below-average overall star rating of 2 out of 5. Staffing is average, with a turnover rate of 54%, slightly above the state average, and the facility has received no fines, which is a positive sign. However, there are notable concerns. Recent inspections revealed that staff failed to ensure food items were properly sealed, which could affect the health of residents, and an allegation of resident-to-resident abuse was not reported to administration as required. Additionally, there was a failure to implement proper care plans for individual residents, which could put their well-being at risk. Despite these weaknesses, the lack of fines and the trend toward improvement may provide some reassurance to families considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Tennessee
- #185/298
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 54% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Tennessee facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 36 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Tennessee. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ○ Average
- 7 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Below Tennessee average (2.8)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
Near Tennessee avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 7 deficiencies on record
Jul 2025
1 deficiency
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
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
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, facility investigation documentation review, and interviews, staff faile...
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Apr 2024
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
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, observations, and interviews, the facility failed to implement a compreh...
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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 medical record review, observations, and interviews the facility failed to follow a physician's order for 1 resident (R...
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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 provide tracheostomy ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on facility policy review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure garbage and refuse were properly contained in 2 of 2 dumpsters (dumpster A and B).
The findings include:
Revi...
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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
Based on facility policy review, observation, and interview, the facility failed to ensure food items were sealed properly and the facility failed to ensure the kitchen was maintained in a good-workin...
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Dec 2021
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
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 properly label an ent...
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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.
- • No major red flags. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.
About This Facility
What is Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered below average nationally. Within Tennessee, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. A rating at this level reflects concerns identified through health inspections, staffing assessments, or quality measures that families should carefully consider.
How is Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester Staffed?
CMS rates ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 54%, compared to the Tennessee average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester?
State health inspectors documented 7 deficiencies at ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER during 2021 to 2025. These included: 7 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester?
ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by TWIN RIVERS HEALTH & REHABILITATION, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 80 certified beds and approximately 53 residents (about 66% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in WINCHESTER, Tennessee.
How Does Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester Compare to Other Tennessee Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Tennessee, ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (54%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester?
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 Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER 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 2-star overall rating and ranks #100 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 Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester Stick Around?
ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER has a staff turnover rate of 54%, which is 8 percentage points above the Tennessee average of 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 Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester Ever Fined?
ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER 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 Elk River Health & Nursing Center Of Winchester on Any Federal Watch List?
ELK RIVER HEALTH & NURSING CENTER OF WINCHESTER 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.