Pines Rehab & Health Center
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Pines Rehab & Health Center in Lyndonville, Vermont has received a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice for families looking for care, though it is not without its concerns. It ranks #9 out of 33 facilities in the state, placing it in the top half, and it is the best option in Caledonia County. The facility is newly rated, so there is no trend data yet; however, they have not incurred any fines, which is a positive sign. Staffing is rated average with a turnover of 59%, which is on par with the state average, but there is less RN coverage than 87% of Vermont facilities, which could impact care quality. Specific incidents noted during inspections include failure to sanitize dinnerware and maintain a clean kitchen, as well as not implementing proper infection control measures to prevent diseases like Legionella. Additionally, a resident's care plan was not updated despite concerns about wandering residents entering their room, highlighting some areas for improvement.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Vermont
- #9/33
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Too New
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 59% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Vermont facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 28 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Vermont. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ✓ Good
- Only 4 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
13pts above Vermont avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
11 points above Vermont average of 48%
The Ugly 4 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to revise a care plan for 1 of 21 sampled residents (Resident #20) related to past trauma. Findings include:
During an interview,...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure residents remained free of accident hazards related to falls and care plan interventions for 2 residents [Residents #55 & #3] of 25 ...
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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 observation, record review, and interview, the facility failed to ensure that dinnerware was sanitized and failed to maintain a clean kitchen environment, which has the potential to impact al...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, and record review, the facility failed to implement an infection prevention and control program designed to ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Why is there high staff turnover? How do you retain staff?"
- "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 Vermont facilities.
- • Only 4 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
- • 59% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Pines Rehab & Health Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Pines Rehab & Health Center an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Vermont, 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 Pines Rehab & Health Center Staffed?
CMS rates Pines Rehab & Health Center's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 59%, which is 13 percentage points above the Vermont average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 67%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Pines Rehab & Health Center?
State health inspectors documented 4 deficiencies at Pines Rehab & Health Center during 2025. These included: 4 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Pines Rehab & Health Center?
Pines Rehab & Health Center 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 60 certified beds and approximately 56 residents (about 93% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Lyndonville, Vermont.
How Does Pines Rehab & Health Center Compare to Other Vermont Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Vermont, Pines Rehab & Health Center's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (59%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Pines Rehab & Health Center?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "How do you ensure continuity of care given staff turnover, and what is your staff retention strategy?" "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 high staff turnover rate.
Is Pines Rehab & Health Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Pines Rehab & Health Center 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 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Vermont. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Pines Rehab & Health Center Stick Around?
Staff turnover at Pines Rehab & Health Center is high. At 59%, the facility is 13 percentage points above the Vermont average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 67%. RNs handle complex medical decisions and coordinate care — frequent RN changes can directly impact care quality. High turnover means new staff may not know residents' individual needs, medications, or preferences. It can also be disorienting for residents, especially those with dementia who rely on familiar faces. Families should ask: What is causing the turnover? What retention programs are in place? How do you ensure care continuity during staff transitions?
Was Pines Rehab & Health Center Ever Fined?
Pines Rehab & Health Center 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 Pines Rehab & Health Center on Any Federal Watch List?
Pines Rehab & Health Center 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.