RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Richfield Health Center in Salem, Virginia has a Trust Grade of D, indicating below-average care with some notable concerns. They rank #154 out of 285 facilities in the state, placing them in the bottom half, and #2 out of 3 in Salem City County, meaning only one local option is better. The facility's trend is worsening, with the number of issues reported increasing from 7 in 2023 to 14 in 2024. Staffing is a concern, as they have a turnover rate of 62%, which is significantly higher than the Virginia average of 48%. Additionally, the facility has accumulated $28,329 in fines, which is higher than 87% of facilities in Virginia, highlighting ongoing compliance issues. On a positive note, the overall star rating is average at 3/5, but RN coverage is concerning as it is lower than 77% of state facilities, which can impact the quality of care. Specific incidents include a serious medication error where a resident did not receive their diabetic medication as prescribed, leading to a hospital transfer. There were also concerns about failing to conduct proper background checks for new hires and neglecting nail care for a resident who required assistance. While there are some strengths, families should weigh these serious issues carefully when considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- D
- In Virginia
- #154/285
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 62% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $28,329 in fines. Lower than most Virginia facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 28 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Virginia. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 31 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Near Virginia average (3.0)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
16pts above Virginia avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Below median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
14 points above Virginia average of 48%
The Ugly 31 deficiencies on record
Dec 2024
4 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to prevent significant medication errors for one (1) of five (5) sampled residents (Resident #1).
T...
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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 F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to follow professional standards of practice related to assessing a resident's change in condition ...
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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
Laboratory Services
(Tag F0770)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to obtain medical provider ordered laboratory tests for one (1) of five (5) sampled residents (Resi...
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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 F0825
(Tag F0825)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to ensure prompt implementation of a medical provider order for rehabilitative services for one (1)...
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May 2024
10 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on resident interview, staff interview, facility document review, facility staff failed to ensure the resident was treated with dignity related to toileting for 1 of 23 current residents in the ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to notify and consult with the medical provider following a significant weight loss for 1 of 2...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0582
(Tag F0582)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to provide a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-coverage (ABN) ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
2. For Resident #102, the facility staff coded the resident as being discharged to a hospital when in fact the resident had been discharged home.
Resident #102's diagnosis list indicated diagnoses, w...
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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
Based on resident interview, staff interview, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to implement a comprehensive person-centered activity care plan to provide...
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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 resident interview, staff interview, and clinical record review, the facility staff failed to review and revise the residents comprehensive care plan (CCP) for 1 of 23 current residents, Resi...
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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
Based on staff interview, clinical record review and facility document review the facility staff failed to follow physician's orders for the administration of medications for 2 of 23 residents, Reside...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Drug Regimen Review
(Tag F0756)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
2. For Resident #26, the facility staff failed to provide evidence of the 1/25/24 and 3/19/24 drug regimen reviews being reported to and acted upon by the medical provider.
Resident #26's diagnosis li...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview, clinical record review and facility document review the facility staff failed to ensure a complete and accurate clinical record for 1 of 23 residents, Resident #93.
The findi...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0883
(Tag F0883)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to offer a pneumococcal vaccine in accordance with nationally recognized standards for 1 of 5 ...
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Feb 2023
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
2. For resident #8 the facility failed to maintain a clean and sanitary wheelchair.
Resident #8's diagnosis list includes but is not limited to, dementia, dysphagia, heart failure, hypertension and ch...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
2. For Resident #83, the facility staff failed to revise the comprehensive person-centered plan of care following discovery of a deep tissue injury (DTI) to the right heel.
Resident #83's diagnosis l...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0757
(Tag F0757)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview, and clinical record review the facility staff failed to ensure 1 of 23 residents was free of unnecessary medications (Resident #26).
The findings included:
Resident #26 was a...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Laboratory Services
(Tag F0770)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview, clinical record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to provide laboratory services to meet the needs of the resident for 1 of 23 residents in the ...
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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
Based on observations, staff interviews, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to maintain an infection control and prevention program that ensured a sanitary laundry environment to ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on staff interview, employee record review, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to follow their policy and procedure in regard to screening of new hires for 9 of 25 new hires...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
3. For Resident #8, the facility staff failed to provide nail care.
Resident #8's listed diagnoses included, but were not limited to, dementia, dysphagia, heart failure, hypertension and chronic obst...
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Jul 2021
10 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
Based on staff interview and clinical record review, the facility staff failed to ensure the right to formulate an advanced directive as evidence by the advanced directive in the resident record not c...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, resident interview, and staff interview the facility staff failed to ensure a homelike environment on 1 of 7 units, 3 East.
The findings included:
The facility staff were using ...
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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
Based on interviews and a review of documents, it was determined the facility staff failed to develop and implement a person centered care plan to address the hospice needs for one (1) of 30 sampled r...
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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
Based on staff interview and clinical record review, the facility staff failed to ensure the residents receive treatment and care in accordance with the comprehensive person-centered care plan for 1 o...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, staff interview, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to ensure 2 of 7 units were free ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, resident interview, staff interview, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to ensure a resident with a catheter received the apppropriate services in regards to...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0772
(Tag F0772)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interview and clinical record review, the facility staff failed to obtain a physician ordered laboratory test for 2 of 30 residents, Resident #19 and #42.
The findings included:
1. For...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Menu Adequacy
(Tag F0803)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, resident interview, staff interview, and facility document review the facility staff failed follow the menu on 1 of 7 units, 3 East.
The findings included:
The facility staff fa...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Room Equipment
(Tag F0908)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, resident interview, and staff interview, the facility staff failed to maintain essential equipment in the residents bathroom for 1 of 30 residents, Resident #107.
The findings i...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, staff interview, and facility document review, the facility staff failed to prepare, distribute and serve food in a manner that would prevent foodborne illnesses.
The findings i...
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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
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • 31 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $28,329 in fines. Higher than 94% of Virginia facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- • Grade D (45/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
- • 62% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Richfield - Salem's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Virginia, this rating places the facility higher than 0% 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 Richfield - Salem Staffed?
CMS rates RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 62%, which is 16 percentage points above the Virginia average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 62%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Richfield - Salem?
State health inspectors documented 31 deficiencies at RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM during 2021 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 30 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Richfield - Salem?
RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 112 certified beds and approximately 105 residents (about 94% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in SALEM, Virginia.
How Does Richfield - Salem Compare to Other Virginia Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Virginia, RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (62%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Richfield - Salem?
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 Richfield - Salem Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM 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 #100 of 100 nursing homes in Virginia. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Richfield - Salem Stick Around?
Staff turnover at RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM is high. At 62%, the facility is 16 percentage points above the Virginia average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 62%. 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 Richfield - Salem Ever Fined?
RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM has been fined $28,329 across 3 penalty actions. This is below the Virginia average of $33,362. 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 Richfield - Salem on Any Federal Watch List?
RICHFIELD HEALTH CENTER - SALEM 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.