NHC Healthcare, Ft Sanders
2120 Highland Ave, Knoxville, TN 37916 · Knox County · 160 certified beds · avg 134 residents/day · certified since Feb 1, 1977
Part of chain: NATIONAL HEALTHCARE CORPORATION (69 facilities, chain avg rating 4.0★)
What health inspectors found (on-site government inspections — the most independent evidence available)
Health inspection rating: ★★☆☆☆2/5 · CMS overall rating: 3/5
The health inspection star above is graded on a curve within each state — a set share of each state's facilities gets each star level — so a facility can have few citations and still rate 2–3 stars if others in its state did even better. The overall rating combines that inspection score with staffing and self-reported quality measures.
Most serious findings (actual harm or immediate jeopardy)
▲ Actual harm, one-off · Nov 8, 2023 · F-0689 · triggered by a complaint
The facility did not keep the environment free of accident hazards, or did not provide enough supervision to prevent accidents like falls.
Why it matters: This is one of the most common citations and directly relates to falls and injuries, which can be devastating for older adults.
Severity (G): One or a few residents were actually harmed — physically or emotionally — though not put in immediate danger of serious injury or death.
Corrected: Nov 28, 2023 (Deficient, Provider has date of correction)
All citations in the current public record (21)
CMS publishes roughly the last three inspection cycles plus recent complaint investigations. Older surveys drop out of the record as new ones are completed.
| Date | Severity | What the facility was cited for |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 22, 2026 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not treat residents with respect and dignity, or did not let them keep and use their own personal belongings. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, including safe support for residents' daily living needs. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not coordinate resident assessments with the state's pre-admission screening program for mental illness and intellectual disabilities, or failed to refer residents for the special services they need. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not provide the help residents need with basic daily activities — like bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom — for residents who cannot do these things on their own. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not provide treatment and care that follows the doctor's orders and matches the resident's own preferences and goals. |
| Jan 22, 2026 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock. |
| Feb 2, 2024 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not provide safe, appropriate care for residents who need dialysis — the treatment that filters the blood when kidneys fail. |
| Feb 2, 2024 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide. |
| Nov 8, 2023 | ▲ G · Actual harm, one-off | The facility did not keep the environment free of accident hazards, or did not provide enough supervision to prevent accidents like falls. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | E · Potential for harm, repeated | The facility did not provide the help residents need with basic daily activities — like bathing, dressing, eating, and using the bathroom — for residents who cannot do these things on their own. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | E · Potential for harm, repeated | The facility did not provide treatment and care that follows the doctor's orders and matches the resident's own preferences and goals. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | E · Potential for harm, repeated | The facility did not serve food and drinks that were appetizing, attractive, and at a safe and pleasant temperature. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | E · Potential for harm, repeated | The facility did not maintain an effective pest control program to prevent or deal with mice, insects, or other pests. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not immediately notify the resident, their doctor, and a family member when something significant happened — such as an injury, a decline in health, or a room change. Families and doctors are entitled to know right away. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not protect residents from abuse or neglect. This covers physical, mental, and sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect, by anyone — staff, other residents, or visitors. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not develop a resident's complete plan of care within 7 days of the full assessment, or the plan wasn't prepared, reviewed, and updated by a team of health professionals as required. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility used feeding tubes without a valid medical reason or the resident's agreement, or did not provide proper care to residents who have feeding tubes. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist. · from a complaint |
| Nov 8, 2023 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not keep residents free from significant medication errors — such as giving the wrong drug, the wrong dose, or missing a critical medication. · from a complaint |
| Mar 4, 2020 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility provided care that did not meet professional standards of quality — the accepted standards that nurses and other clinicians are expected to follow. |
| Mar 4, 2020 | D · Potential for harm, one-off | The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide. |
Inspection trend by year
Citations from standard inspections increased between the last two inspection cycles (2 → 6).
| Year | Citations | Serious (G–L) | Worst severity that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | D |
| 2023 | 11 | 1 | G ▲ |
| 2024 | 2 | 0 | D |
| 2026 | 6 | 0 | D |
Counts reflect the current CMS public record (~3 inspection cycles plus complaint investigations); years with no surveys show no row. Inspection frequency varies, so compare severity as well as counts.
Fines and enforcement (last 3 years)
1 fine totaling $9,770.
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 8, 2023 | Fine | $9,770 |
Nurse staffing (from payroll records, adjusted for how much care residents need)
| Measure | This facility | Tennessee avg | U.S. avg | Where it stands |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day) | 3.97 | 3.62 | 3.95 | top 22% in Tennessee; top 41% in the U.S. |
| Registered Nurse hours | 0.52 | 0.57 | 0.69 | top 47% in Tennessee; bottom 41% in the U.S. |
| Weekend total nurse staffing | 3.70 | 3.15 | 3.50 | top 15% in Tennessee; top 33% in the U.S. |
| Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted) | 0.36 | 0.39 | 0.48 | top 47% in Tennessee; bottom 43% in the U.S. |
| Total nursing staff turnover (%) | 50.4 | 48.9 | 45.8 | bottom 49% in Tennessee; bottom 36% in the U.S. |
| RN turnover (%) | 25.0 | 43.2 | 42.9 | top 18% in Tennessee; top 20% in the U.S. |
Hours are per resident per day, case-mix adjusted by CMS so facilities caring for sicker residents can be compared fairly (same basis as the CMS staffing star). "Top X%" means better than most facilities: more staffing hours, or lower turnover. Raw (unadjusted) reported hours: total 3.98, RN 0.53, weekend 3.71. Staffing rating: 4/5.
Self-reported quality measures
Note: these ratings are based on data the facility reports about itself to CMS. They are not independently verified by inspectors, and can look better than inspection findings. Give more weight to the inspection results above.
Quality measures rating: 5/5 · long-stay residents: 4/5 · short-stay residents: 5/5
Who owns this facility
For profit - Corporation
| Owner / manager | Type | Role | Stake | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Morgan Stanley Institutional Advisors LLC | Organization | Indirect Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 11/08/2024 |
| Nhc/Delaware INC | Organization | Direct Ownership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
| Baldwin, Brittany | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 09/01/2022 |
| Baldwin, Brittany | Individual | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 03/13/2025 |
| Blackrock INC | Organization | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
| Dimensional Fund Advisors LP | Organization | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 03/07/2023 |
| Dodson, Vicki | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 06/01/2019 |
| Dodson, Vicki | Individual | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 06/01/2019 |
| Fincher, Kevin | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/03/2023 |
| Kidd, Brian | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 05/31/2023 |
| Kidd, Brian | Individual | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 05/31/2023 |
| Morgan Stanley | Organization | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 11/08/2024 |
| Nason Jr., Howard | Individual | Managing Control - Governing Body | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/18/2016 |
| Nason Jr., Howard | Individual | Corporate Officer | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/18/2016 |
| Nason Jr., Howard | Individual | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/18/2016 |
| National Health Corporation | Organization | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
| National Healthcare Corporation | Organization | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
| National Healthcare Corporation | Organization | ADP of the SNF | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
| Nhc-Op LP | Organization | Operational/Managerial Control | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
| Nhc-Op LP | Organization | General Partnership Interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/28/2020 |
Questions to ask on your visit
Generated from this facility's actual citation record — bring them to a tour and ask the administrator directly.
- "What is your falls rate, and what specific steps do you take to prevent falls and supervise residents at risk?"
- "How do you train staff to treat residents with dignity, and how do you protect residents' personal belongings?"
- "Can we tour the resident rooms, bathrooms, and common areas today, including areas not on the usual tour route?"
- "How do you identify and arrange specialized services for residents with mental health conditions or disabilities?"
- "How many aides are on each shift, and how do you make sure every resident gets timely help with bathing, dressing, and meals?"
- "How do you make sure each resident's care follows the doctor's orders, and what changed after this citation?"
- "Can you show me how medications are stored and secured on the units, including controlled drugs?"
- "How do you coordinate and monitor care for residents who receive dialysis?"
- "What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
- "Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"
Nearby facilities (within 20 miles)
| Facility | Distance | City | Overall | Inspection | Flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Sanders Tcu | 0.2 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★★☆ | 4/5 | |
| NHC Healthcare, Knoxville | 2.4 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★☆☆ | 3/5 | |
| Island Home Park Health and Rehab | 2.7 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★★☆ | 4/5 | |
| Creekview Health and Rehabilitation | 3.1 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★☆☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Lyonsview Health and Rehabilitation Center | 3.6 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★☆☆☆☆ | 1/5 | SFF |
| Holston Health & Rehabilitation Center | 4.8 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★★★ | 4/5 | |
| West Hills Health and Rehab | 5.0 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★☆☆ | 4/5 | |
| Legacy Park Health and Rehabilitation | 5.8 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★☆☆☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Wellpark Health and Rehabilitation | 5.8 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Beverly Park Place Health and Rehab | 6.4 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★☆☆ | 4/5 | |
| Life Care Center of Blount County | 8.4 mi | Louisville, TN | ★★★☆☆ | 2/5 | |
| Senator Ben Atchley State Veterans' Home | 9.8 mi | Knoxville, TN | ★★★★★ | 5/5 |
Compare this facility with the 3 closest →
Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 445107.