Uintah Health Care Special Service District
Over 2 years since last inspection. Current conditions may differ from available data.
Uintah Health Care Special Service District in Vernal, Utah has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice, though not the top-tier option. It ranks #27 out of 97 facilities in Utah, placing it in the top half, and is the only facility in Uintah County, showing it stands out locally. The facility's trend is stable, with one issue reported in both 2023 and 2025. Staffing is a strength, rated 5 out of 5 stars, and with a 40% turnover rate, which is lower than the state average, indicating staff members tend to stay longer and are familiar with the residents. However, the facility has received $34,035 in fines, which is average for the state, and there have been concerning incidents, including a failure to provide adequate mental health care for residents at risk of self-harm, and lapses in infection control procedures, such as not sanitizing equipment between residents. Overall, while there are notable strengths in staffing and care quality, families should be aware of the serious issues highlighted in the inspector findings.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Utah
- #27/97
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Holding Steady
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 40% turnover. Near Utah's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $34,035 in fines. Lower than most Utah facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 113 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Utah nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ○ Average
- 7 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural 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 (40%)
8 points below Utah average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Utah avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
The Ugly 7 deficiencies on record
Sept 2025
1 deficiency
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
Deficiency F0740
(Tag F0740)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review it was determined, for 2 out of 22 sampled residents, that the facility failed to ensure th...
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Feb 2022
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0676
(Tag F0676)
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, it was determined the facility did not provide the necessary care and servic...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0711
(Tag F0711)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review it was determined the facility did not ensure that the physician reviewed the resident's to...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review it was determined the facility did not establish and maintain an infection prevention and control program designed to provide a safe, sanitary and co...
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Aug 2019
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0676
(Tag F0676)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, observation, and record review, the facility did not provide the appropriate care and services to maintain o...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0802
(Tag F0802)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, record review, and interview, the facility did not employ sufficient staff to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service. Specifically, meals were served approxima...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to follow standard precautions during the performance of routine testing...
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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
- • 40% turnover. Below Utah's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s), $34,035 in fines. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 7 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $34,035 in fines. Higher than 94% of Utah facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
About This Facility
What is Uintah Health Care Special Service District's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Uintah Health Care Special Service District an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Utah, 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 Uintah Health Care Special Service District Staffed?
CMS rates Uintah Health Care Special Service District's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 40%, compared to the Utah average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Uintah Health Care Special Service District?
State health inspectors documented 7 deficiencies at Uintah Health Care Special Service District during 2019 to 2025. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death) and 6 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 Uintah Health Care Special Service District?
Uintah Health Care Special Service District is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 110 certified beds and approximately 30 residents (about 27% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Vernal, Utah.
How Does Uintah Health Care Special Service District Compare to Other Utah Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Utah, Uintah Health Care Special Service District's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.4, staff turnover (40%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Uintah Health Care Special Service District?
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 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 facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations.
Is Uintah Health Care Special Service District Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Uintah Health Care Special Service District 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Utah. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Uintah Health Care Special Service District Stick Around?
Uintah Health Care Special Service District has a staff turnover rate of 40%, which is about average for Utah 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 Uintah Health Care Special Service District Ever Fined?
Uintah Health Care Special Service District has been fined $34,035 across 1 penalty action. The Utah average is $33,419. 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 Uintah Health Care Special Service District on Any Federal Watch List?
Uintah Health Care Special Service District 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.