Hearth Record

Brandon Woods of New Bedford

A nursing home in New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740

397 County Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740. (508) 997-9396.

  • A candidate for CMS’s special focus list
CMS’s own record, on Care Compare

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 28, 2026.

The last 24 months 59 citations in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2026. Most serious: immediate jeopardy to health or safety (K). Every month

Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.

What these words mean8
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.
Scope and severity (A to L)
CMS grades each nursing home deficiency with a letter. A to C: no actual harm, with potential for minimal harm. D to F: no actual harm, but potential for more. G to I: actual harm. J to L: immediate jeopardy. Within each band, the letter rises as more residents were affected or could be: one or a few, a pattern, or widespread. Source: CMS, nursing home scope and severity grid (State Operations Manual, chapter 7).
Nurse staffing hours
The hours registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse aides worked, per resident per day, from the payroll records each home sends CMS. Source: CMS, Payroll-Based Journal.
Fines and payment denials
A fine (civil money penalty) is money CMS makes a nursing home pay when it falls short of federal rules. A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stop paying for new admissions until the home meets the rules again. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.430 and 488.417.
Immediate jeopardy
CMS’s most serious finding: the place’s failure to meet a rule caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to someone in its care. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 489.3.
Capacity
The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.

What did inspectors find?

13 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The Massachusetts average is 6.4.

Last standard inspection Mar 27, 2026.

Most serious in three years: immediate jeopardy to health or safety (K), at a standard inspection on Dec 16, 2024

Source:

CMS, Provider Information, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

When those citations happened

59 citations in 5 months of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2026. Most serious: immediate jeopardy to health or safety (K). The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

59 citations by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.

All 59 citations in the last three years

Grouped by inspection, newest first. Each carries , from A, the least serious, to L, the most. 3 came from complaint inspections.

Source:

CMS, Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

Jul 7, 2026: complaint inspection1 citation
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

    Rule F0607. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. From a complaint. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jul 24, 2026.

Mar 27, 2026: standard inspection12 citations
  • Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident’s needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.

    Rule F0627. G: actual harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Give the resident’s representative the ability to exercise the resident’s rights.

    Rule F0551. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Immediately tell the resident, the resident’s doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

    Rule F0580. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident’s needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.

    Rule F0628. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 24, 2026.

  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident’s needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Rule F0656. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

    Rule F0658. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Rule F0684. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

    Rule F0686. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.

    Rule F0699. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Rule F0761. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Rule F0812. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

  • Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

    Rule F0842. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Apr 17, 2026.

Sep 16, 2025: complaint inspection1 citation
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

    Rule F0607. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. From a complaint. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Dec 2, 2025.

Jun 12, 2025: complaint inspection1 citation
  • Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

    Rule F0607. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. From a complaint. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: May 23, 2025.

Dec 16, 2024: standard inspection44 citations
  • Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

    Rule F0600. K: immediate jeopardy to health or safety. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.

    Rule F0740. K: immediate jeopardy to health or safety. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.

    Rule F0741. K: immediate jeopardy to health or safety. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

    Rule F0607. H: actual harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

    Rule F0609. H: actual harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 9, 2025.

  • Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

    Rule F0610. H: actual harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident’s needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Rule F0656. H: actual harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

    Rule F0686. G: actual harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Honor the resident’s right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

    Rule F0550. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Give the resident’s representative the ability to exercise the resident’s rights.

    Rule F0551. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Immediately tell the resident, the resident’s doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

    Rule F0580. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room).

    Rule F0603. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

    Rule F0641. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

    Rule F0658. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.

    Rule F0661. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Rule F0684. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 18, 2025.

  • Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

    Rule F0690. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Ensure the resident’s doctor reviews the resident’s care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.

    Rule F0711. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.

    Rule F0712. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.

    Rule F0727. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.

    Rule F0744. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

    Rule F0756. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

    Rule F0758. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 9, 2025.

  • Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

    Rule F0761. D: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Rule F0812. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

    Rule F0835. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 10, 2025.

  • Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.

    Rule F0838. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

    Rule F0842. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 10, 2025.

  • Inform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.

    Rule F0847. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Provide a neutral and fair arbitration process and agree to arbitrator and venue.

    Rule F0848. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

    Rule F0865. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Rule F0880. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 18, 2025.

  • Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

    Rule F0881. E: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.

    Rule F0941. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 10, 2025.

  • Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.

    Rule F0942. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 10, 2025.

  • Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

    Rule F0943. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 10, 2025.

  • Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

    Rule F0944. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.

    Rule F0945. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 10, 2025.

  • Provide training in compliance and ethics.

    Rule F0946. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.

    Rule F0947. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Feb 7, 2025.

  • Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

    Rule F0949. F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

    Rule F0582. B: no actual harm, potential for minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 3, 2025.

  • Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

    Rule F0623. B: no actual harm, potential for minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

  • Post nurse staffing information every day.

    Rule F0732. C: no actual harm, potential for minimal harm. Correction date, as CMS recorded it: Jan 6, 2025.

Is it certified, and in good standing?

  • Certified for Medicare and Medicaid since Aug 1, 1980.
  • A candidate for CMS’s special focus list, which CMS keeps for homes with a history of serious problems.
  • No abuse icon from CMS.
  • No change of ownership in the last 12 months.
  • CMS lists its ownership as for profit, corporation.
  • 135 certified beds.
Source:

CMS, Provider Information. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

Has it been fined or penalized?

  • 2 fines in the last three years, $528,970 in all.
  • No Medicare payment denials in the last three years.
  • 3 citations in the last three years came from complaint inspections.
Source:

CMS, Penalties and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

Fines and payment denials, newest first
DateKindAmount
Mar 27, 2026Fine$64,480
Dec 16, 2024Fine$464,490

Who does the caring?

4.09 nurse hours per resident per day

The Massachusetts average is 3.94.

CMS publishes staffing about four months after the fact.

Source:

CMS, Provider Information and State and US Averages. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

Staffing measures
MeasureThis homeMassachusetts average
Nurse hours per resident per day4.093.94
Of which registered nurses0.290.66
At weekends3.583.52
Nursing staff turnover46.1%37.6%
Registered nurse turnover60%42.7%
Administrators who left0Not given

Who owns it?

  • Essex Group Incorporated owns 100% directly since May 15, 1973.
  • 17 owners or officers are people: Frank C Romano (owns 5% or more through other companies, 43.74%); Frank C Romano (corporate officer, 43.74%); Frank C Romano (corporate director, 43.74%); Kyle Romano (owns 5% or more through other companies, 11.72%); Brandon Romano (owns 5% or more through other companies, 11.72%); Katelyn Romano (owns 5% or more through other companies, 11.72%); James Romano (owns 5% or more through other companies, 11.72%); Philip Doyle (owns 5% or more through other companies, 9.38%); Katelyn Romano (corporate officer); Katelyn Romano (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Katelyn Romano (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Ricot Octave (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Ricot Octave (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Frank C Romano (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Frank C Romano (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Julianne H Hetzler (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Julianne H Hetzler (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)).
  • Part of Elder Services (6 homes in CMS’s data).
  • No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
  • No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
Source:

CMS, All Owners. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly.

CMS, Provider Information. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

Organisations CMS lists
OrganisationRoleShareSince
Essex Group IncorporatedOwns 5% or more directly100%May 15, 1973

How do residents fare?

  • CMS rates its quality measures 1 of 5 (Massachusetts average 3.3).
Source:

CMS, Provider Information and State and US Averages. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

CMS’s star ratings, from 1 to 5
MeasureRating
Overall rating1 of 5
Health inspections1 of 5
Staffing3 of 5
Quality measures1 of 5

How does it compare nearby?

  • Among the 12 nearest homes, within 11.6 miles, this one had the 1st most health citations at the latest inspection cycle (13; the middle value was 6).
Source:

CMS, Provider Information. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

What the record doesn’t say

  • Complaints that didn’t lead to a citation aren’t published.
  • Inspections reach CMS’s data about six weeks after they happen, and staffing about four months after.
  • CMS publishes the inspectors’ full written findings in a separate monthly file, which isn’t loaded yet.
  • Fines and Medicare payment denials are the only enforcement CMS publishes; state licence actions aren’t included.

Sources

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Provider Information (4pq5-n9py).

    Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Deficiencies (r5ix-sfxw).

    Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Penalties (g6vv-u9sr).

    Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, All Owners (afe44b85-cc6d-40d7-b5df-00ae8910d1d2).

    Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).

  • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, State and US Averages (xcdc-v8bm).

    Released Oct 28, 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.

Source:

This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.

From the home

The public record above comes first. Anything the home adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.

Replies

None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the home 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 home”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

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