facebook tracking Donalson Care Center, Fayetteville TN: CMS Ratings
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Donalson Care Center

All states › Tennessee › Fayetteville › Donalson Care Center

1681 Winchester Highway Fayetteville, TN 37334 · Lincoln County

(931) 433-7156

All 2 nursing homes in Fayetteville, TN (2 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 168 certified beds Non profit

CMS certification number 445173 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

Is Donalson Care Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record

There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Donalson Care Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Tennessee average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 25 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 4 out of 5; for long-term residents, 3 out of 5.

Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 4.27 hours per resident per day at Donalson Care Center, above the Tennessee median of 3.66 (US median: 3.72). About 0.50 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.64 hours, 15% below its all-week average. 37.3% of nursing staff left within a year (Tennessee median 48.7%). That is lower than most homes in Tennessee, a sign of a steadier team.

Nursing care per resident per day 4.27 hours
Above the Tennessee median of 3.66 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.50 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.64 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 37.3% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 45.5% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 1 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds168
Residents per day 79 About 47% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceApril 1985
Part of a chainHuntsville Hospital Health System
Legal business nameHH HEALTH SYSTEM LINCOLN INC

Paying for care at Donalson Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Donalson Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Tennessee's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.

In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.

Health inspections

The most recent standard inspection was on March 12, 2025 and found 7 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 25 citations in the last three years.

Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.

What the inspections found

Over the last three years, inspectors issued 25 citations at Donalson Care Center across 4 inspection dates, 2 of them from complaint investigations. 5 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on July 15, 2019. The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (8) and quality of life and care (7). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals" (tag F0657, level K, July 15, 2019). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

August 18, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Past Non-Compliance

March 12, 2025 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

DEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0693 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

DEnsure 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)

June 30, 2021 · 8 citations

EMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0921 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DHonor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0641 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0695 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)

July 15, 2019 · 8 citations, includes immediate jeopardy

KDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Immediate jeopardy · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

KEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Immediate jeopardy · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

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

Immediate jeopardy · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0835 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

KDesignate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.

Immediate jeopardy · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0841 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

KSet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

Immediate jeopardy · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0867 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0842 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0641 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

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

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0690 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)

Questions to ask on a tour of Donalson Care Center

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on July 15, 2019 under the rule on resident assessment and care planning. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 12, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  3. The home averages about 47% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
  4. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  5. When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?

Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.

Fines and payment denials

CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 3/5
August 2026 3/5 3/5 2/5 3/5
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Location

Hospitals near Donalson Care Center

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

  • 2.2 mi
    Lincoln Medical Center Fayetteville
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 10m for patients treated and sent home
  • 22.2 mi
    Harton Regional Medical Center Tullahoma
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 48m for patients treated and sent home
  • 24.3 mi
    Southern Tennessee Medical Center Winchester
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 2h 25m for patients treated and sent home

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

Elk River Health & Rehabilitation of Fayetteville Fayetteville · 2.0 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 1/5 79 beds · Medicaid
Lynchburg Nursing Center Lynchburg · 12.9 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 88 beds · Medicaid
NHC Healthcare, Tullahoma Tullahoma · 21.9 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 3/5 90 beds · Medicaid
Life Care Center of Tullahoma Tullahoma · 22.3 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 2/5 169 beds · Medicaid
Elk River Health and Nursing Center of Ardmore Ardmore · 22.4 mi away ★★★★☆ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 2/5 79 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Donalson Care Center ›   All nursing homes in Fayetteville ›

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Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/tennessee/fayetteville/donalson-care-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.