WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Wellsburg Healthcare Center has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice for families seeking care, though there may be some concerns to consider. It ranks #16 out of 122 facilities in West Virginia, placing it in the top half, and is the best option among the two facilities in Brooke County. The facility is improving, with issues decreasing from 13 in 2023 to 3 in 2025. However, staffing is a weakness, with a low rating of 2 out of 5 stars and a high turnover rate of 56%, which is above the state average. There are some concerning incidents, such as a resident suffering a serious fall due to improper handling during bed mobility and multiple failures to provide proper notice of rights for residents being transferred to the hospital, indicating areas where care could be enhanced. Overall, while there are strengths in care quality and improvement trends, families should weigh these alongside staffing challenges and specific incidents.
- Trust Score
- B
- In West Virginia
- #16/122
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 56% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $7,443 in fines. Lower than most West Virginia facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 31 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for West Virginia. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 18 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
10pts above West Virginia avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
8 points above West Virginia average of 48%
The Ugly 18 deficiencies on record
Jan 2025
3 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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to provide a clean, comfortable, and homelike environment over which it ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain an accurate medical record for two (2) out of 21 rec...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Transfer Notice
(Tag F0623)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure a written Notice of Transfer / Discharge which...
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Jul 2023
2 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
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure residents receive treatment and care in accordance with professional standards of practice. Staff's failure to roll ...
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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
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** .
Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to notify the resident's representative in a timely fashion wh...
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Feb 2023
11 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0583
(Tag F0583)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to honor privacy of resident medical records by leaving a narcotic book open and on top of an unattended medication cart. This was a ran...
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CONCERN
(D)
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 record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident fall resulting in serious bodily injury w...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0744
(Tag F0744)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** .
Based on observation, medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive pe...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure drugs and biologicals, used in the facility, were stored in accordance with current accepted professional practices. The facil...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0790
(Tag F0790)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on review of the concern/grievance log, record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure a dental referral was made in a timely manner for a resident who had lost or damaged de...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to provide food services in accordance with professional standards. The facility failed to ensure food was labeled and dated. This pract...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0836
(Tag F0836)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain current food handler cards for two (2) of seven (7) employees reviewed in the Dietary Department. This practice had the pote...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Grievances
(Tag F0585)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
.
Based on record review, facility concern/grievance review, staff interviews and individual interviews, the facility failed to ensure prompt efforts were made to resolve grievances for three (3) of f...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** .
Based on observation, facility record review and staff interview, the facility failed to provide a meaningful activity prior t...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
.
Based on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain an accurate medical record for four (4) of 18 sampled residents reviewed in the Long-Term Care Survey process. Resident id...
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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, medical record review, and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain an effective infection contr...
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Dec 2021
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on observation, record review and staff interview, the facility failed to change the oxygen tubing per policy. This was true for one (1) of four (4) Residents with oxygen administration. Resid...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
.
Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to maintain temperature logs in the kitchen for both the refrigerator and the freezer. This failed practice had the potential to affect ...
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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.
- • 18 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • 56% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Wellsburg Healthcare Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within West Virginia, 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 Wellsburg Healthcare Center Staffed?
CMS rates WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 56%, which is 10 percentage points above the West Virginia average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs.
What Have Inspectors Found at Wellsburg Healthcare Center?
State health inspectors documented 18 deficiencies at WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER during 2021 to 2025. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 17 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Wellsburg Healthcare Center?
WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by COMMUNICARE HEALTH, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 60 certified beds and approximately 51 residents (about 85% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in WELLSBURG, West Virginia.
How Does Wellsburg Healthcare Center Compare to Other West Virginia Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in West Virginia, WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.7, staff turnover (56%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Wellsburg Healthcare 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 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 high staff turnover rate and the below-average staffing rating.
Is Wellsburg Healthcare Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in West 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 Wellsburg Healthcare Center Stick Around?
Staff turnover at WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER is high. At 56%, the facility is 10 percentage points above the West Virginia average of 46%. 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 Wellsburg Healthcare Center Ever Fined?
WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE CENTER has been fined $7,443 across 1 penalty action. This is below the West Virginia average of $33,153. 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 Wellsburg Healthcare Center on Any Federal Watch List?
WELLSBURG HEALTHCARE 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.