Whitfield Regional Hospital
An acute care hospital in Demopolis, Alabama 36732
105 Highway 80 East, Demopolis, Alabama 36732. (334) 289-4000.
- Medicare payments cut under the HAC Reduction Program (fiscal year 2026)
Watch and the shortlist are kept with a free account, on every device. Your watch list. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare.
The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 20, 2026.
- 2of 5 CMS’s overall rating
- 3of 5 patient survey rating
- 8 deficiencies cited in the last three years (needs attention)
- 99 beds
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean4
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Condition-level deficiency
- For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual.
What did inspectors find?
The last inspection on record was on Mar 18, 2025: a complaint inspection.
8 deficiencies cited in the last three years, 3 of them at condition level, the most serious.
3 deficiencies at condition level, the more serious of CMS’s two levels
CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
When those deficiencies happened
8 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Feb 2025. Most serious: Condition-level. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
Each deficiency, as cited
Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.
CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
Feb 13, 2025: complaint inspection8 deficiencies
-
Nursing Services
The inspectors’ words, 108 words
“NURSING SERVICES CFR(s): 482.23 The hospital must have an organized nursing service that provides 24-hour nursing services. The nursing services must be furnished or supervised by a registered nurse. This Condition is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on record reviews, facility policies and procedures, staff training and competency documentation, and interviews with staff, it was determined the facility failed to ensure: a) Nurses were trained and competent for job specific duties. b) Nurses followed the hospital blood transfusion procedure. This had the potential to negatively affect all patients served by this facility, staff, and visitors. Findings include: Refer to A 392 and A 410 for findings.”
-
Physical Environment
The inspectors’ words, 99 words
“PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT CFR(s): 482.41 The hospital must be constructed, arranged, and maintained to ensure the safety of the patient, and to provide facilities for diagnosis and treatment and for special hospital services appropriate to the needs of the community. This Condition is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on observations, policies and procedure, temperature and humidity monitoring documentation, and interviews with staff, it was determined the facility was not maintained to ensure patient safety. This had the potential to negatively affect all patients served by this facility, staff, and visitors. Finding include: Refer to A 701 for findings.”
-
Surgical Services
The inspectors’ words, 124 words
“SURGICAL SERVICES CFR(s): 482.51 If the hospital provides surgical services, the services must be well organized and provided in accordance with acceptable standards of practice. If outpatient surgical services are offered the services must be consistent in quality with inpatient care in accordance with the complexity of services offered. This Condition is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on observations in the surgery department, review of facility surgery policies and procedures, monitoring logs, and interview with staff, it was determined the facility failed to monitor and document temperature and humidity levels in the Operating Rooms, Procedure Room, and Sterile Supply and Equipment Storage. This had the potential to negatively affect all surgical patients served by the facility. Refer to A 951 for findings.”
-
Staffing And Delivery Of Care
The inspectors’ words, 1,284 words
“STAFFING AND DELIVERY OF CARE CFR(s): 482.23(b) The nursing service must have adequate numbers of licensed registered nurses, licensed practical (vocational) nurses, and other personnel to provide nursing care to all patients as needed. There must be supervisory and staff personnel for each department or nursing unit to ensure, when needed, the immediate availability of a registered nurse for care of any patient. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on review of facility policies and procedures, medical records (MR), staff training and competency documentation, and interviews, it was determined the facility failed to ensure critical care staff were trained and competent to provide care in emergency situations with critically ill patients. This affected eleven of eleven Emergency Department (ED) and Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) staff, who provided care to critically ill patients, and included Patient Identifier (PI) # 5, PI # 12, PI # 3, PI # 7, PI # 11, which was five of seven (7) records reviewed for patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation (vent), non-invasive ventilation or BIPAP (Bilevel positive airway pressure, non-invasive ventilation therapy that delivers pressurized air through a mask or nasal pillows to help people with breathing difficulties), Arterial blood gas (ABG) collection, and moderate conscious sedation (drug-induced depression of consciousness). This had the potential to negatively affect all patients treated at the facility. Findings include: Facility Policy and Procedure Title: Competency Requirements of Patient Care Services Staff Revised Date: 3/11 No Number Documented Requirements/Guidelines: Orientation (Hire, Six Weeks, Ninety Days, and Annually) The level of competence of Patient Care Services employees is established during orientation...maintained/improved throughout the employment...During general orientation...the employee is given an orientation packet...includes...Population-Specific Competencies...The age specific skills checklist is also completed annually to insure continued competency...signed by the employee and the nurse manager then forward to...Human Resources. ...A competency list summary completion form is completed during the year as competency requirements are met by the employees... Facility Policy and Procedure Title: Conscious Sedation Revised Date: 5/94 No Number Documented Staffing during procedures that require conscious sedation should always include...RN (Registered Nurse) with...the following skills...Successful completion of an organized course study on the administration of conscious sedation with yearly competency... Findings include: 1. PI # 5 was admitted to the facility on 10/16/24 with diagnoses including Acute Respiratory Failure with Hypoxia. MR review revealed PI # 5 was on the ventilator and received conscious sedation medications while in the MICU 10/16/24 to 10/20/24. Review of personnel training and competency documentation for Employee Identifier (EI) # 20, MICU RN, EI # 21, MICU RN, and EI # 23, MICU RN, who provided care for PI # 5, revealed no education or training for BIPAP, and conscious sedation, and no competency documentation for invasive, and noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and conscious sedation. There was no documentation EI # 21 and EI # 22 had competency for ABG collection via arterial. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 12:45 PM with EI # 2, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), who reported the nurses received training from HealthStream computerized training modules. EI # 2 confirmed there were no competencies for ED and MICU nurses for invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and conscious sedation. EI # 2 confirmed all ED and MICU nursing staff did not have competencies for ABG collection via arterial. 49797 2. PI # 12 was admitted to the facility on 1/18/25 with a diagnosis of Cellulitis. A review of the ED Visit Summary dated 1/18/25 at 7:00 PM revealed interventions to collect ABG’s, and was documented as completed. A review of the lab results dated 1/18/25 revealed the ABG’s were collected and resulted via the ISTAT. A review of the Respiratory Care CPAP/BiPAP Record revealed on 1/26/25 at 11:15 PM, EI # 24, RN House Supervisor cared for the patient while on BiPAP. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:50 AM with EI # 3, Quality Assurance, Infection Control, Risk Management Director, who reported EI # 24, collected the ABG’s via an arterial stick. The surveyor asked for documentation of this staff member’s competency for the arterial blood collection. EI # 3 confirmed EI # 24 did not have documentation of competency in his/her employee file. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 1:00 PM with EI # 2, who confirmed EI # 24 did not have documentation of competency for the BiPAP. 42144 3. PI # 3 was admitted to the facility on 2/9/25 with a diagnosis of Pneumonia. Review of the Patient Order Summary (POS) dated 2/9/25 revealed orders for point of care ISTAT ABG. Review of the computer documentation provided by EI # 14, Director of Lab Services confirmed the blood sample collected for ISTAT ABG was an arterial blood sample collected by EI # 24. The surveyor requested EI # 24’s training competency for ABG (arterial) blood collection and none was provided. An interview conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:50 AM with EI # 3, confirmed EI # 24, did not have documentation of ABG (arterial) blood collection competency in his/her employee file. 50417 4. PI # 7 was admitted to the facility on 2/11/25 with a diagnosis of Acute Respiratory Failure with Hypoxia. A review of the POS dated 2/12/25 at 5:22 AM revealed orders for point of care ISTAT ABG. A review of the computer documentation provided by EI # 14 confirmed the blood sample collected for ISTAT ABG was an arterial blood sample collected by EI # 26, RN. The surveyor requested EI # 26’s training competency for ABG (arterial) blood collection. An interview conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:50 AM with EI # 3, confirmed EI # 26 did not have documentation of ABG (arterial) blood collection competency in his/her employee file. A review of the NN (Nurses Note) documentation dated 2/11/25 at 6:24 PM , completed by EI # 29, ED, RN revealed PI # 7 was on a BIPAP machine. A review of the NN documentation dated 2/11/25 at 8:10 PM, completed by EI # 28, MICU, RN, revealed the patient was on a BIPAP machine. Review of EI # 28 and EI # 29’s training record documentation revealed no education or training for BIPAP, and no competency for invasive, and noninvasive mechanical ventilation, and conscious sedation. 5. PI # 11 was admitted to the hospital on 12/7/24 with a diagnosis of Hypoxia, Respiratory Failure, Unspecified. A review of the POS dated 12/9/24 at 5:30 AM and 12/10/24 at 5:19 AM revealed orders for point of care ISTAT ABG. A review of the computer documentation provided by EI # 14 confirmed the blood samples collected for ISTAT ABG was an arterial blood sample collected by EI # 27, RN. The surveyor requested EI # 27’s training competency for ABG (arterial) blood collection. An interview conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:50 AM with EI # 3, confirmed EI # 27 did not have documentation of ABG (arterial) blood collection competency in his/her employee file. A review of the POS documented 12/7/24 at 5:13 PM, completed by EI # 31, MICU, RN, revealed the patient was on a vent, and Fentanyl infusing at 50 mcg/hr. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 12:45 PM with EI # 2, who reported there was no competencies for EI # 28, and EI # 29, and no documentation staff completed all job specific education/training to manage critical care patients. 6. An interview was conducted on 2/11/25 at 12:30 PM with EI # 31, who stated, “Respiratory normally changes vents, but if they’re not here, we would get orders from the UAB doctor to change.” 7. An interview was conducted on 2/12/25 at 09:32 AM with EI # 32, who stated, “I have made changes on vents with the UAB doctor.””
-
Blood Transfusions And Iv Medications
The inspectors’ words, 528 words
“BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS AND IV MEDICATIONS CFR(s): Blood transfusions and intravenous medications must be administered in accordance with State law and approved medical staff policies and procedures. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on review of medical records (MR), facility procedure and interviews, it was determined the facility failed to ensure nursing staff followed the hospital transfusion procedure. This affected Patient Identifier (PI) 1, one of three records reviewed with transfusions and had the potential to negatively affect all patients who receive transfusions at the facility. Findings include: Facility Procedure Title: Administration of Blood/Blood Products Revised Date: 5/2024 (No number documented) ...Procedure ...16. During transfusion, vital signs (VS-temperature, pulse, respiratory rate, and blood pressure) are to be obtained every 15 minutes x (for) 2, then in one hour and at the completion of the transfusion and documented... 18. The transfusion is to be completed within 4 hours...Infusion time should NOT exceed 4 hours... NOTE: ...Blood must be started within 30 minutes after obtaining it from the Blood Bank. If, for any reason, there is a delay in administration of the blood, it must be returned to the lab within 30 minutes for storage in the Blood Bank refrigerator...The lab will not accept returned blood if it has been out of the lab longer than 30 minutes...blood will be discarded... 1. PI # 1 was admitted to the facility on 1/10/25 with diagnosis (chief complaint), anemia. Review of the Patient Order Summary dated 1/10/25 at 3:43 PM revealed orders to type and screen stat (in medical terms, “stat” is an abbreviation for “immediately” or “right now,” used to indicate that something needs to be done without delay), and transfuse one-unit red blood cells stat. Review of the Red Blood Cells (RBC) Unit issue documentation revealed the unit was issued by the laboratory on 1/10/25 at 10:15 PM to the nurse unit. There was no reason for the 7-hour 32-minute delay from order to issue for the stat type, and screen. Review of the Unit Transfusion Card revealed the transfusion began 1/10/25 at 11:25 PM, which was 1 hour 10 minutes after the lab issued the RBC unit, and greater than 30 minutes per facility procedure. MR review revealed VS were documented at transfusion initiation at 11:25 PM, the first set of 15-minute VS were documented at 11:36 PM, the second set of 15-minute VS was documented at 11:40 PM which was 4 minutes later. Record review revealed VS were documented on 1/11/25 at 12:10 AM, and at 12:40 AM. There was no hourly VS documented at 12:55 AM per procedure. Further review of the Unit Transfusion Card documentation revealed the transfusion ended 1/11/25 at 3:50 AM which was 4 hr. 25 minutes after transfusion initiation, and not within four hours per policy. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:03 AM with Employee Identifier # 18, Director of the Medical Surgical Unit, who confirmed there was no reason for the stat type/screen and transfuse delay, the blood was outside the lab greater than 30 minutes before the transfusion began, the VS were not completed per procedure, and the blood administration time was greater than 4 hours.”
-
Maintenance Of Physical Plant
The inspectors’ words, 780 words
“MAINTENANCE OF PHYSICAL PLANT CFR(s): 482.41(a) The condition of the physical plant and the overall hospital environment must be developed and maintained in such a manner that the safety and well-being of patients are assured. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 50417 Based on observation, facility repair issues policy and procedure, and staff interviews, it was determined the facility failed to ensure the hospital environment was maintained in a manner that the safety and well-being of patients are assured. This had the potential to negatively affect all patients treated at the facility. Findings include: Facility Policy and Procedure: Reporting Equipment Malfunctions and Facility Repair Issues Policy Number : 2014 Date: 6/21 Policy: It is the policy to maintain equipment and the facility in working order all times. Procedure: ...contact Facility Operations if the issue is a facility issue. Institute other alternative procedures required to ensure patient care is not compromised. ...notification of facility issues can be made by calling Facility Operations (on call personnel after hours) for immediate safety issues. 1. The tour of the Sterile Supply Room in the surgical service department was conducted on 2/12/25 at 10:00 AM with Employee Identifier (EI) # 6, Surgery Services Director. There was a hole in the edge of one ceiling tile, and another ceiling tile was stained. The tour of Operating Room (OR) 2 revealed cracks in the floor tile, and exposed ceiling sheet rock in 3 places surrounding a ceiling vent where ceiling paint had peeled. The tour of OR 1 revealed cracks in the floor tile, and exposed ceiling sheet rock, where paint on the ceiling had peeled. An interview was conducted on 2/12/25 at 11:00 AM with EI # 6, who confirmed the surgery service department environment had not been maintained. 2. On 2/12/25 at 10:50 AM, a tour was conducted of the Med Surg area located on the third floor of the hospital. The tour revealed an active water leak in the corner just outside the medication room at the nurses station. The area of water damage included loose and damaged sheetrock and paint on the ceiling and wall. The surveyor observed water streaking down the wall from the recent rain. During the tour, staff revealed the area had been leaking for several months and leaks occur with heavy rain at the nurses station as well as in the medication room. The surveyor observed the area the staff identified as leaking in the medication room and water was observed on the floor. An interview conducted on 2/12/25 at 11:00 AM with EI # 13, Chief Operating Officer (COO) confirmed the hospital had difficulty with correcting the water leaks throughout the hospital which had been ongoing for several months. The surveyor asked for all documentation concerning requests for repairs and work orders for the water leak at the nurses station and medication room on the Med Surg floor and no documentation was provided. 3. On 2/12/25 at 11:07 AM, a tour was conducted of the Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU). The tour revealed rooms # 2, # 3, and # 6 with active water leaks and towels placed in each window to absorb the rain. The area of water damage to MICU room # 6 included damaged sheetrock and paint on the wall beneath the window. During the tour, staff revealed the windows had been leaking for approximately one year and surveyor noted active water leaks with towels observed in the windows to collect the rain. Documentation obtained from COO on 2/12/25 showed MICU rooms #2, #3, and # 6 were reported by the ICU Supervisor as leaking on 2/11/24. PI # 13 was admitted to the hospital on 2/3/25 with a diagnosis of Sepsis, Unspecified Organism. Review of MICU room # 2 on 2/12/25 at 11:07 AM revealed the room was occupied by PI # 13. PI # 14 was admitted to the hospital on 2/3/25 with a diagnosis of Acute Kidney Failure, Unspecified. Review of MICU room # 3 on 2/12/25 revealed the room was occupied by PI # 14. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 10:05 AM with EI # 13, who confirmed windows were actively leaking. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 8:40 AM with EI # 30, MICU RN, who reported all windows in the MICU on the east side of the building leaked when it rained heavily. EI # 30 stated the windows had leaked since 2021 and have been changed out more than two times due to leaking. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 2:00 PM, and EI # 1, Chief Executive Officer, confirmed the facility had failed to ensure the patient care environment was maintained.”
-
Infection Control Program
The inspectors’ words, 990 words
“INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAM CFR(s): 482.42(a)(1) The hospital infection prevention and control program, as documented in its policies and procedures, employs methods for preventing and controlling the transmission of infections within the hospital and between the hospital and other institutions and settings; This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on observations of care, facility hand hygiene policy and procedure, and staff interviews, it was determined the facility failed to ensure staff performed hand hygiene according to the facility policy and procedure. This affected four of seven medication (med) preparation (prep) and administration observations, including four unsampled patients and had the potential to negatively affect all patients treated at the facility. Findings include: Facility Policy and Procedure: Hand Hygiene Revised Date 3/2020 Policy: A. Objective: ...to outline indications for and methods of hand hygiene for personnel in a patient care setting...All staff will adhere to this policy to reduce the transmission of microorganisms to patients and other personnel. ...Procedure A. Hand Hygiene Indications: 1. Hand hygiene with either waterless hand sanitizer or soap and water is required: Upon entering and leaving a patient room Between patient contacts if more than one patient is on a room... Before donning and after removing gloves Before handling an invasive device (regardless of whether or not gloves are used) After contact with body fluids or excretions, mucous membranes...or wound dressings... C. Routine Hand Hygiene Techniques ...2. Handwashing with soap and water...It can be accomplished in the following manner: a. Wet hands with water b. Apply soap... f. Use a dry paper towel to turn off faucets to avoid contamination... 1. Observations for med prep and administration was conducted on 2/11/25 at 1:40 PM in the Geriatric Behavioral Health Unit (GBHU) with Employee Identifier (EI) # 8, Licensed Practical Nurse. At the sink in the medication (med) preparation (prep) room, EI # 8 performed hand hygiene, turned off the faucet with bare hands, and not paper towels as per facility hand hygiene techniques. EI # 8 exited the med prep room and the nurse station to the patient room. EI # 8 scanned the patient’s wristband and returned to the nurse station. EI # 8 failed to perform hand hygiene upon leaving the patient room per facility policy. EI # 8 removed medication from the Omnicell at the nurse station and scanned the medication. EI # 8 placed the medication in a cup, laid the med on the nurse desk at the nurse station, returned to the med prep room, obtained a cup of water, exited the room and nurse station, to the patient room. EI # 8 failed to perform hand hygiene upon entering the patient room per facility policy. EI # 8 administered the medication to an unsampled patient, returned to the med prep room, performed hand hygiene, and turned the faucet off with bare hands. EI # 8 failed to follow the facility hand hygiene policy and procedure. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:10 AM with EI # 3, Quality Assurance, Infection Control, and Risk Management Director, who confirmed staff failed to follow the facility hand hygiene policy and procedure. 2. Observations for med prep and administration was conducted on 2/11/25 at 2:34 PM in the Adult BHU with EI # 7, Registered Nurse (RN). Following hand hygiene at the sink in the med prep room, EI # 7 removed Clindamycin from the Omnicell, retrieved water in a cup, clean gloves, then exited the med prep room to the nurse station. EI # 7 summoned the patient to the nurse desk, donned gloves without first performing hand hygiene, scanned the patient bracelet, medication, and administered the medication to an unsampled patient. EI # 7 failed to follow the procedure and perform hand hygiene before donning gloves. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:10 AM with EI # 3, who confirmed staff failed to follow the facility hand hygiene policy and procedure. 3. Observations for med prep and administration was conducted on 2/11/25 at 2:50 PM in the GBHU with EI # 9, RN. In the med prep room, EI # 9 performed hand hygiene in the med prep room, exited the med prep room to the nurse station, and retrieved the medication from the Omnicell in the nurse station. EI # 9 then gloved, but failed to perform hand hygiene before donning gloves. EI # 9 exited the nurse station to the patient room and administered medication to the unsampled patient. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:10 AM with EI # 3, who confirmed staff failed to follow the facility hand hygiene policy and procedure. 4. Observations for med prep and administration via a gastrostomy tube (GT) was conducted on 2/12/25 at 9:00 AM in the GBHU with EI # 10, RN, and EI # 11, RN. EI # 10 retrieved meds from the Omnicell, placed the meds in a cup and laid on a clip board, exited the nurse station to the patient room, scanned the patient wristband, then returned to the nurse station with the clip board and meds. EI # 10 failed to perform hand hygiene before entering and after exiting the patient room. EI # 10 entered the med room, performed hand hygiene, crushed and mixed meds with water for administration via GT, and exited to the patient room. EI # 10 donned gloves without performing hand hygiene, and began med administration. Liquid that contained meds was draining out of an uncovered GT valve. EI # 11 exited the patient room, returned with gloves on, and assisted EI # 10, as more liquid and meds poured out of the uncovered GT valve. EI # 11 removed his/her gloves, exited the patient room and the unit. EI # 11 failed to perform hand hygiene after glove removal. An interview was conducted on 2/13/25 at 11:10 AM with EI # 3, who confirmed staff failed to follow the facility hand hygiene policy and procedure.”
-
Operating Room Policies
The inspectors’ words, 860 words
“OPERATING ROOM POLICIES CFR(s): 482.51(b) Surgical services must be consistent with needs and resources. Policies governing surgical care must be designed to assure the achievement and maintenance of high standards of medical practice and patient care. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 30952 Based on observations in the surgery service department, review of the surgery policy and procedure, department Temperature and Humidity logs, and interviews with staff, it was determined the facility failed to monitor and document temperature and humidity levels in the surgical services and procedural areas. These deficient practices have the potential to affect all surgical patients served by the hospital. Findings include: Surgical Services Policy and Procedure: Temperature, Humidity Original Date: 10/22 No number documented Purpose: To adhere to all regulatory requirements providing methods for monitoring the surgical services and procedural areas temperature, and relative humidity. The following guidelines are to be followed when the stated measurements are outside of the designated parameters. Temperature: ...should be between 68-73 degrees (Fahrenheit). If the temperature is above or below the parameters, adjust the temperature in the room or call plant operations. Wait 20 minutes to determine if the temperature is at acceptable levels. If not postpone the case and notify Director for guidance. Temperatures will be documented daily in the appropriate log for each area that contains sterile supplies. Humidity: Humidity checks...are performed...for each area that contains sterile supplies...documented in the appropriate logs. The normal range for humidity levels is 20%-60%. In the event the humidity is out of range the...Director will be notified ...the case will be delayed until the humidity is within range or another suite with appropriate humidity levels...is available...If the humidity is not within range within 20 minutes and corrective action have been taken, Plant Operations and Administration will be notified...All supplies and packages and will be checked for...integrity and discarded or reprocessed...if...compromised... Sterile Processing Policy and Procedures: Sterile Supplies Revised: 10/22 No number documented ...Events that may affect the sterility of a package include, but are not limited to...Storage conditions...temperature, humidity, traffic control... Sterile packages should be stored under environmentally controlled conditions. Sterile storage area temperature...between 68-73 degrees...humidity...between 20 %-60%. Temperature and humidity is documented daily on Humidity and Temperature Log... A tour of the surgery service department was conducted on 2/12/25 at 10:00 AM with Employee Identifier (EI) # 6, Surgery Services Director. EI # 6 reported two surgeries had been performed this morning. The surveyor asked EI # 6 to review temperature and humidity logs for all areas of surgery services. The tour of OR 1 revealed the humidity was 65.5 %, which was greater than 60 %. The tour of the equipment room which stored robotic surgery and sterilized equipment revealed the thermometer was not working. Review of the OR schedule for 2/12/25 revealed a total of 5 procedures and 2 surgeries were scheduled. Review of the Humidity and Temperature (H/T) Logs revealed no H/T was recorded on the surgery day for OR 1, OR 2 and OR endo. No log was provided for Sterile Supply Storage. Review of OR 1 H/T log documentation revealed: a). 5 of 7 days during February 2025 the humidity was greater than 60 %. b). 10 of 21 days during January 2025 the temperature was less than 68 degrees. c). 6 of 16 days during December 2024 the temperature was written over, not legible, and 1 day the humidity was greater than 60 %. d). 3 of 21 days during November 2024 the temperature was written over, not legible, and 3 days the temperature was less than 68 degrees. e). 11 of 23 days during October 2024 the temperature was written over, not legible, and 1 day the humidity was written over, and not legible. f). 5 of 20 days during July 2024, there was no H/T values documented. There were no 20 minute rechecks, and no corrective action documented. Review of OR 2 H/T log documentation revealed: a). 3 of 21 days in January 2025 the temperature was less than 68 degrees. b). No H/T log documentation was provided for December, November, and October 2024. c). 2 of 21 days in September 2024 the temperature was less than 68 degrees, and 3 days the humidity was written over, and not legible. d). 10 of 19 days in July 2024 the temperature was less than 68 degrees. There were no 20 minute rechecks, and no corrective action documented. Review of OR Endo H/T log documentation revealed: a). No H/T log documentation for December, November, October 2024. c).1 day in September 2024 temperature was less than 68 degrees. d. No H/T log documentation for August and July 2024. There were no 20 minutes rechecks, and no corrective action documented. There were no H/T logs provided to the surveyor for the sterilized equipment storage and sterile supply from 7/1/24 to 2/12/25. The facility failed to ensure staff monitored the H/T in all surgery services and procedural areas. An interview was conducted on 2/12/25 at 11:00 AM with EI # 6, who confirmed staff failed to monitor, and document surgery service H/T values, adjust when outside the acceptable range, recheck and document the corrective action response.”
All 3 inspections in the last three years
| Date | Visit | What the record says |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 18, 2025 | Complaint inspection | No deficiencies cited |
| Feb 13, 2025 | Complaint inspection | 8 deficiencies cited |
| Feb 8, 2024 | Complaint inspection | No deficiencies cited |
How do patients fare?
- CMS’s overall CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System. for it is 2 of 5.
- Of the measures behind its CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System., CMS counts against the national value: mortality, 0 better and 0 worse of 3; safety of care, 0 better and 0 worse of 2; readmission, 0 better and 1 worse of 5.
- Patients rate it 3 of 5 in CMS’s patient survey (116 surveys completed, Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): 62% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 58% would definitely recommend it.
- Infections, compared by CMS with the national benchmark (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): catheter urinary tract infections (CAUTI), no different than national benchmark; C. diff infections, no different than national benchmark.
- CMS’s patient safety composite for serious complications, PSI 90, Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2024: no different than the national value.
- Deaths within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2025): heart failure 11.3%, pneumonia 16.5%, stroke 9.7%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
- Readmissions within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2023 to Jun 30, 2025): heart failure 22%, pneumonia 16.5%, COPD 19.4%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
- After outpatient care, compared by CMS: unplanned hospital visits after a colonoscopy, no different than the national rate.
- Emergency department patients spent a median of 119 minutes there before leaving (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025), and 0% left before being seen.
- 0% of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock got the care CMS measures, SEP-1 (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025).
- Medicare’s spending per patient here is 0.85 times the national median (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024).
CMS, Hospital General Information, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital, Healthcare Associated Infections - Hospital, Timely and Effective Care - Hospital and Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Complications and Deaths - Hospital and Unplanned Hospital Visits - Hospital. Released Sep 30, 2026. Updated quarterly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall ratingCMS’s overall hospital quality star rating, 1 to 5 | 2 of 5 |
| Patient survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of the hospital’s patients (HCAHPS), 1 to 5 | 3 of 5 |
Is it certified, and in good standing?
- Medicare-certified acute care hospital since Mar 25, 1976.
- Ownership: government - hospital district or authority.
- It is not accredited by a private organisation, so the state carries out its routine inspections for Medicare.
- Cited at For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual. in the last three years: it didn’t meet a whole condition of Medicare’s rules for hospitals.
- Government - Hospital District or Authority.
CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
Has it been penalized?
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals.
- CMS cut its Medicare payments by 1% for fiscal year 2026 under the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, which does so for the quarter of hospitals that fare worst on conditions patients get in hospital.
- 8 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
CMS, Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated yearly.
CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.
CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Date | What | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare payment reduction (HAC Reduction Program) | Fiscal year 2026: 1% of Medicare payments |
What do patients say about their care?
- CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
- In CMS’s patient survey, patients rate how well its nurses communicated 2 of 5.
- 59% of its health care workers got a flu shot (Oct 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2025).
CMS, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital and Timely and Effective Care - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.
Who owns it?
- 2 owners or officers are people: Douglas Brewer (runs it (operational or managerial control), 100%); Douglas A Brooker (managing employee (on the payroll)).
- CMS’s Provider of Services file records 2 changes of ownership.
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, Hospital All Owners and Hospital Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated monthly.
CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.
How does it compare nearby?
- No other hospital CMS lists is in Marengo County.
CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.
What the record doesn’t say
- CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals, so none are shown. The one payment cut CMS publishes for each hospital, under its Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, is shown where it applies.
- Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
- Most hospitals are accredited by a private organisation (The Joint Commission, DNV and others) whose routine inspections stand in for the state’s; those reports aren’t public, and QCOR holds only the state’s surveys: no inspection on record here doesn’t mean none took place.
- QCOR says its hospital inspection data are complete only through September 17, 2026, while it moves to a new system.
- CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
- In its September 2026 release CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for death and readmission rates, though it gives the rates.
Sources
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospital General Information (xubh-q36u).
Released Aug 13, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital.
Released Aug 13, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Healthcare Associated Infections - Hospital (77hc-ibv8).
Released Aug 13, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Complications and Deaths - Hospital (ynj2-r877).
Released Sep 30, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Unplanned Hospital Visits - Hospital (632h-zaca).
Released Sep 30, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Timely and Effective Care - Hospital (yv7e-xc69).
Released Aug 13, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary - Hospital (rrqw-56er).
Released Aug 13, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program (yq43-i98g).
Released Aug 13, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated yearly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities (Hospital_and_other.DATA.Q3_2026.csv).
Released Oct 14, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated quarterly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies (Hospital_2567s_2010_to_2026YTD.xlsx).
Released Oct 20, 2026 and checked Oct 27, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospital All Owners (Hospital_All_Owners_2026.09.29.csv).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
-
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Hospital Enrollments (Hospital_Enrollments_2026.09.29.csv).
Released Sep 29, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.
From the hospital
The public record above comes first. Anything the hospital adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.
Replies
None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospital will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.
Paid listing
None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospital”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.