Not rated by CMS — ratings are suppressed for new or low-volume facilities.
A standard survey is most likely before around December 2026
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of June 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Sterling Nursing And Rehab during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Surveyors found that the facility did not have an infection prevention and control program in place, as required. This deficiency was identified through direct observation and review of facility records.
The facility failed to ensure the kitchen dishwasher consistently reached the manufacturer's recommended wash and sanitize temperatures, with multiple recorded instances of substandard temperatures and a lack of reporting by dietary staff. The issue persisted despite posted instructions and recent equipment replacement, and no dish sanitization policy was provided when requested.
Two residents with COPD who were receiving oxygen therapy did not have required oxygen in use signage posted on their doorways, despite facility policy and staff expectations. Observations and staff interviews confirmed the absence of signage while the residents were using oxygen, and administrative staff acknowledged the deficiency.
A resident did not receive food prepared in a form that met their individual needs, as the facility did not consistently modify meals to accommodate specific dietary requirements or physical abilities.
The facility failed to follow professional standards for food safety, using non-pasteurized eggs and not checking temperatures of mechanically altered diets. Poor storage practices were noted, with rotting sweet potatoes and unclean freezers. Dishes were improperly stored, and staff hygiene was inadequate, risking cross-contamination.
The facility failed to implement comprehensive care plans for two residents. One resident, requiring continuous oxygen therapy, had no care plan addressing this need, risking oversight by staff. Another resident had 1/4 side rails on her bed without a care plan or consent, despite being independent in ADLs. The facility's policy mandates care plans with measurable objectives, which was not followed.
A facility failed to maintain proper infection control practices, as observed in the use of a glucometer and during wound care. An LVN used alcohol prep pads instead of germicidal wipes to clean a glucometer between uses for two residents with diabetes, contrary to facility policy and training. Additionally, an RN did not follow hand hygiene protocols during wound care for a resident with pressure ulcers, failing to sanitize hands between glove changes and touching personal items with contaminated gloves. These actions could lead to cross-contamination and infection spread.
A facility failed to follow its bed rail policy by not attempting alternatives or obtaining informed consent before installing bed rails for a resident with moderate cognitive impairment. The resident had no documented consent, physician orders, or care plan for the rails, despite being independent in daily activities. Staff interviews revealed confusion about the necessity and authorization of the bed rails, contrary to facility policy requiring informed consent and assessment.
Failure to Implement Infection Prevention and Control Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. This deficiency was identified during the survey process, as the facility did not have an established or operational program to prevent and control infections among residents and staff. The absence of such a program was directly observed and documented by surveyors during their review of facility practices and records.
Dishwasher Not Maintained at Required Sanitization Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the kitchen dishwasher in safe operating condition, as required by the manufacturer's recommendations. Observations and interviews revealed that the dishwasher did not reach the minimum recommended wash and sanitize temperatures of 120 degrees Fahrenheit, with recorded wash temperatures as low as 95 degrees and final rinse temperatures sometimes below 120 degrees. Dietary staff, including a dietary aide and the Dietary Manager, confirmed the machine was not reaching the correct temperature, and the issue was observed over multiple cycles. The posted manufacturer instructions indicated that water should be at least 120 degrees, and staff were instructed to report if it was lower, but this was not consistently done. Further review of the dish machine logbook for the month showed repeated instances where the wash and rinse temperatures were below the recommended levels. The dietary aide stated he did not report the issue because he was unaware it needed to be reported, and the Administrator was unsure about the reason for the temperature adjustment, noting the machine had recently been replaced. No policy on dish sanitization was provided when requested by the surveyor.
Failure to Post Oxygen Signage for Residents Receiving Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents requiring respiratory care were provided with appropriate safety measures, specifically the posting of oxygen in use signage on the doorways of two residents who were receiving oxygen therapy. Both residents had documented diagnoses of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and physician orders for oxygen administration via nasal cannula. Observations confirmed that each resident was using oxygen, either through a concentrator or portable tank, and that no oxygen signage was posted outside their respective rooms as required by facility policy. Interviews with staff, including an LVN and the DON, confirmed that it was the facility's expectation to have oxygen signs posted on the doors of rooms where oxygen was in use. The DON acknowledged the absence of the signs and stated that they are typically posted for resident safety, suggesting the signs may have fallen off. The facility's policy on oxygen administration also specified the need for appropriate oxygen signage. The lack of signage was observed during multiple walkthroughs and confirmed by both staff and administrative personnel.
Failure to Provide Food in Appropriate Form for Individual Needs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that each resident received food prepared in a form designed to meet their individual needs. This deficiency indicates that meals were not consistently modified or adapted to accommodate the specific dietary requirements or physical abilities of residents, such as those needing pureed, chopped, or otherwise altered food textures.
Deficiencies in Food Safety and Hygiene Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to professional standards for food service safety, as observed during a survey. The kitchen was found to be using non-pasteurized eggs for residents' meals, specifically for soft fried eggs, which poses a risk of foodborne illness. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that the temperatures of mechanically altered diets were checked for safe holding temperatures, which is crucial to prevent the growth of harmful pathogens. The Dietary Manager was observed not taking temperatures of mechanically altered foods, such as mechanical soft chicken and carrots, during meal preparation and service. The facility also exhibited poor food storage practices. Sweet potatoes in the dry storage were beginning to rot, yet they were not removed. The walk-in freezer was found to have food debris under all three shelves, indicating a lack of cleanliness. Furthermore, dishes were stored face-up, increasing the risk of contamination, and staff were observed handling the eating surfaces of bowls with bare hands, which is a direct violation of safe food handling practices. Staff hygiene practices were also found to be lacking. The Dietary Manager was observed with ineffective hair restraints, as his beard and moustache were not properly contained. This, combined with the improper handling of food and dishes, could lead to cross-contamination and potential health risks for residents. The facility's policy on food preparation and service, which outlines the importance of maintaining safe food handling practices, was not followed, leading to these deficiencies.
Failure to Implement Comprehensive Care Plans for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive, person-centered care plans for two residents, which included measurable objectives and time frames to meet their needs. Resident #6, a cognitively intact female with chronic diastolic congestive heart failure and other medical conditions, required continuous oxygen therapy. However, her care plan did not include any information regarding her oxygen use, despite having orders for continuous oxygen therapy. This oversight was acknowledged by MDS E, who stated that the absence of a care plan for continuous oxygen use could lead to staff missing the necessity of maintaining oxygen therapy for the resident. Resident #22, a female with moderate cognitive impairment and other medical conditions, had 1/4 side rails on her bed, which were not addressed in her care plan. The resident was independent in her activities of daily living and did not use the side rails, nor was there a consent for their use in her electronic file. The MDS Coordinator confirmed that side rails should have been included in the care plan following an assessment and consent process. The facility's policy on comprehensive person-centered care planning emphasizes the need for care plans to incorporate measurable objectives and time frames to address residents' needs, which was not adhered to in these cases.
Infection Control Deficiencies in Glucometer Use and Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an effective infection prevention and control program, as evidenced by improper sanitization practices observed during blood glucose monitoring and wound care procedures. Specifically, LVN A did not use the appropriate germicidal wipes to clean the glucometer between uses for two residents with diabetes, instead opting for alcohol prep pads, which are not effective for sanitization according to the facility's policy and the manufacturer's instructions. This deviation from protocol occurred despite LVN A's acknowledgment of the correct procedure and training received, attributing the error to nervousness during the surveyor's observation. Additionally, RN D did not adhere to proper hand hygiene practices during wound care for a resident with multiple pressure ulcers. RN D failed to wash or sanitize her hands between glove changes and touched various personal items with contaminated gloves, which could lead to cross-contamination. The ADON, who assisted during the procedure, initially did not express concern but later acknowledged the lapses in hand hygiene after reviewing the care provided. The deficiencies observed in both the glucometer sanitization and wound care procedures highlight a significant lapse in the facility's infection control practices, potentially increasing the risk of infection transmission among residents. The facility's policies and CDC guidelines emphasize the importance of using appropriate disinfectants and maintaining hand hygiene to prevent cross-contamination, which were not followed in these instances.
Failure to Follow Bed Rail Policy and Obtain Consent
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its policy and procedure on bed safety and bed rails by not attempting appropriate alternatives before installing bed rails for a resident. The resident, who had moderate cognitive impairment and was independent in activities of daily living, was found to have quarter-rail bed rails installed without documentation of consent, physician orders, or a care plan. The facility's policy requires an interdisciplinary evaluation, resident assessment, and informed consent before the use of bed rails, which was not followed in this case. The resident's admission record and quarterly MDS assessment indicated a history of falls and a desire for side rails for safety and comfort. However, the resident was able to get in and out of bed safely and independently. Despite this, the facility did not document any consent or orders for the side rails, and the resident's care plan did not include any mention of side rails. Interviews with facility staff revealed confusion and lack of awareness regarding the necessity and authorization of the bed rails for the resident. The MDS Coordinator and DON confirmed that the resident should not have had side rails according to the assessment list, and there was no informed consent on file. The facility's policy mandates that residents or their representatives be informed of the risks and benefits of bed rails and that informed consent be obtained, which was not done in this instance. This oversight could potentially place residents at risk of injury and hinder their ability to engage in daily activities.
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Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
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Nursing homes near Sterling City
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robert Lee Care Center | 29 mi | — | 7 | 0 |
| Park Plaza Nursing And Rehabilitation Center | 38.8 mi | — | 0 | 0 |
| Cedar Manor Nursing And Rehabilitation Center | 39.1 mi | — | 5 | 0 |
| Mitchell County Nursing And Rehabilitation Center | 39.2 mi | — | 9 | 0 |
| Regency House | 39.2 mi | — | 1 | 0 |
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Trusted data, never guesswork. Every citation, penalty, rating and Plan of Correction on this page is sourced from public CMS records (latest release August 2026) and official state health department websites.