Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care in Brownsville, Texas, has a Trust Grade of C, indicating an average level of care that is neither great nor terrible. It ranks #512 out of 1168 facilities in Texas, placing it in the top half, but at #9 out of 14 in Cameron County, there are only a few local options that are better. The facility's trend is worsening, with reported issues increasing from 1 in 2024 to 10 in 2025. Staffing is a significant concern, rated at only 1 out of 5 stars, but the turnover rate is impressively low at 0%, meaning staff are likely to stay and build relationships with residents. The facility has incurred $12,740 in fines, which is average, but it has less RN coverage than 81% of Texas facilities, suggesting that residents may not receive the level of nursing oversight needed for optimal care. Specific incidents reported include a critical failure where a resident eloped from the facility and was found 0.5 miles away, raising significant safety concerns. Additionally, some residents did not have their call lights within reach, which could prevent them from obtaining help in emergencies. Lastly, there was a failure to properly complete an advance directive for a resident, potentially compromising their end-of-life wishes. While the facility has strengths in low staff turnover and quality measures, these safety and oversight issues indicate areas that need urgent attention.
- Trust Score
- C
- In Texas
- #512/1168
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- Turnover data not reported for this facility.
- Penalties ⚠ Watch
- $12,740 in fines. Higher than 100% of Texas facilities. Major compliance failures.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 14 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Texas. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Texas average (2.8)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
The Ugly 11 deficiencies on record
Jul 2025
8 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0558
(Tag F0558)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure residents had the right to reside and receive ...
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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
Deficiency F0578
(Tag F0578)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure residents had the right to formulate an advance directive fo...
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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
Deficiency F0628
(Tag F0628)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record reviews and interviews, the facility failed to send a copy of the residents' discharge notice, prior to discharg...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
PASARR Coordination
(Tag F0644)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to coordinate assessments with the Pre-admission Screening and Residen...
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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 interview, and record review, the facility failed to implement a comprehensive person-centered care plan that includes ...
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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 observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure residents fed by enteral means received the ap...
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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 observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure that residents who needed respiratory care were...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to establish and maintain an infection prevention and c...
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Jun 2025
2 deficiencies
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews and record review, the facility failed to ensure adequate supervision was provided for 1 of 3 residents revi...
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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
Deficiency F0655
(Tag F0655)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews and record reviews, the facility failed to develop and implement baseline care plans that included the instr...
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Nov 2024
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
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide pharmaceutical services including procedures ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s). Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 11 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $12,740 in fines. Above average for Texas. Some compliance problems on record.
- • Grade C (56/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Texas, 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 Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill Staffed?
CMS rates Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes.
What Have Inspectors Found at Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill?
State health inspectors documented 11 deficiencies at Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill during 2024 to 2025. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death) and 10 with potential for harm. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.
Who Owns and Operates Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill?
Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 122 certified beds and approximately 73 residents (about 60% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Brownsville, Texas.
How Does Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill Compare to Other Texas Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Texas, Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.8 and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "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?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations and the below-average staffing rating.
Is Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 1 Immediate Jeopardy citation (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Texas. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill Stick Around?
Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill has not reported staff turnover data to CMS. Staff turnover matters because consistent caregivers learn residents' individual needs, medications, and preferences. When staff frequently change, this institutional knowledge is lost. Families should ask the facility directly about their staff retention rates and average employee tenure.
Was Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill Ever Fined?
Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill has been fined $12,740 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Texas average of $33,206. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill on Any Federal Watch List?
Las Alturas Nursing & Transitional Care Brownsvill 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.