All states › Tennessee › Fayetteville › Donalson Care Center
1681 Winchester Highway Fayetteville, TN 37334 · Lincoln County
All 2 nursing homes in Fayetteville, TN (2 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 445173 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
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.
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.
About this nursing home
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.
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.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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.
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.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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.
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.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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.
KEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
KAdminister the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
KDesignate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
KSet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
ESafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Questions to ask on a tour of Donalson Care Center
- 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?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 12, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- The home averages about 47% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- 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 month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
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2.2 mi
Lincoln Medical Center FayettevilleEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 10m for patients treated and sent home
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22.2 mi
Harton Regional Medical Center TullahomaEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 2h 48m for patients treated and sent home
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24.3 mi
Southern Tennessee Medical Center WinchesterEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median 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
More nursing homes near Donalson Care Center › All nursing homes in Fayetteville ›
Compare Donalson Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Elk River Health & Rehabilitation of Fayetteville · Fayetteville · 3 stars · 2.0 mi
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.