Sacred Heart Nursing Home

Name: Sacred Heart Nursing Home
Address: 359 SUMMER STREET, New Bedford, MA, 02740, US
Telephone: 5089966751

359 Summer Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 · Bristol County · 217 certified beds · avg 126 residents/day · certified since Jul 1, 1990

Part of chain: DIOCESAN HEALTH FACILITIES (5 facilities, chain avg rating 3.6★)

4/5

Health inspection rating (on-site)

Serious findings on record

Fines, last 3 years

4.38

Nurse hours/resident/day (adjusted)

What health inspectors found (on-site government inspections — the most independent evidence available)

Health inspection rating: ★★★★☆4/5 · CMS overall rating: 5/5

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.

All citations in the current public record (19)

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
Aug 13, 2025	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not get its food from approved, safe sources, or did not store, prepare, and serve food according to professional food safety standards.
Aug 13, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide proper care for pressure ulcers (bedsores) or did not do enough to prevent new ones from forming. Bedsores develop when residents stay in one position too long without help moving.
Aug 13, 2025	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.
Jun 25, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not get its food from approved, safe sources, or did not store, prepare, and serve food according to professional food safety standards.
Jun 25, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not have a working program to monitor how antibiotics are used. Tracking antibiotic use helps make sure these drugs are given only when needed and remain effective.
Jun 25, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not keep its building and grounds safe, functional, clean, and comfortable for residents, staff, and visitors.
Jun 25, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not develop or follow a complete care plan for each resident — the written roadmap covering all of a resident's needs, with measurable goals and timelines.
Jun 25, 2024	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.
Jun 25, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide proper care for pressure ulcers (bedsores) or did not do enough to prevent new ones from forming. Bedsores develop when residents stay in one position too long without help moving.
Jun 25, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide care that took into account residents' past trauma or their cultural backgrounds. Care is supposed to be sensitive to what residents have lived through and where they come from.
Apr 16, 2024	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. · from a complaint
Apr 16, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not develop and follow policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. These written safeguards are the foundation of resident protection. · from a complaint
Mar 31, 2023	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, including safe support for residents' daily living needs.
Mar 31, 2023	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not make sure residents actually saw their doctor face-to-face at all required visits. Doctors must examine nursing home residents in person on a regular schedule.
Mar 31, 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.
Mar 31, 2023	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not develop or follow a complete care plan for each resident — the written roadmap covering all of a resident's needs, with measurable goals and timelines.
Mar 31, 2023	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide activities that meet residents' needs and interests. Nursing homes must offer meaningful activity programs, not just leave residents idle.
Mar 31, 2023	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not keep residents' medications free from unnecessary drugs. Residents should only take medicines they truly need, at the right dose, for a clear reason.
Mar 31, 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.

Inspection trend by year

Citations from standard inspections decreased between the last two inspection cycles (7 → 3).

Year	Citations	Worst severity that year
2023	7	E
2024	9	E
2025	3	E

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)

No fines or payment denials in the published 3-year window.

Nurse staffing (from payroll records, adjusted for how much care residents need)

Measure	This facility	Massachusetts avg	U.S. avg	Where it stands
Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)	4.38	3.89	3.95	top 20% in Massachusetts; top 27% in the U.S.
Registered Nurse hours	0.73	0.65	0.69	top 27% in Massachusetts; top 34% in the U.S.
Weekend total nurse staffing	4.08	3.51	3.50	top 16% in Massachusetts; top 21% in the U.S.
Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted)	0.48	0.46	0.48	top 33% in Massachusetts; top 36% in the U.S.
Total nursing staff turnover (%)	27.3	38.2	45.8	top 18% in Massachusetts; top 10% in the U.S.
RN turnover (%)	25.0	42.6	42.9	top 17% in Massachusetts; 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 3.86, RN 0.64, weekend 3.59. Staffing rating: 5/5.

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: 3/5 · long-stay residents: 3/5 · short-stay residents: 3/5

Who owns this facility

Non profit - Other

Owner / manager	Type	Role	Stake	Since
Da Cunha, Edgar	Individual	Corporate Officer	NOT APPLICABLE	09/24/2014
Davis, Jennifer	Individual	W-2 Managing Employee	NOT APPLICABLE	07/27/2015
Diocesan Health Facilities	Organization	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	01/01/2000
Kiley, Kevin	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	07/01/2019
Long, Joanne	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	09/24/2014
Mello, Curtis	Individual	Contracted Managing Employee	NOT APPLICABLE	01/01/2020
Mitchell, Laura	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	02/01/2020
Oliveira, John	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	09/24/2014
Roque, Joanne	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	07/01/2019
Roque, Joanne	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	07/01/2019
Saunders, Richard	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	09/24/2014
Smith, Walter	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	09/24/2014
Wilson, Richard	Individual	Corporate Director	NOT APPLICABLE	09/24/2014

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 did your most recent kitchen inspection find, and can I see how food is stored and prepared?"
"How do you prevent bedsores for residents who can't move themselves, and how often are at-risk residents repositioned?"
"Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
"Who oversees antibiotic use here, and how do you decide when an antibiotic is really needed?"
"Can we tour the whole building today, including resident bathrooms and common areas, not just the lobby?"
"Can you show me an example care plan, and how are families included when it's created and updated?"
"Can you tell me what this citation involved and what steps you took to bring care back up to standard?"
"How do you learn about each resident's background and history, and how does that shape their care?"
"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
Brandon Woods of New Bedford	1.2 mi	New Bedford, MA	★☆☆☆☆	1/5	SFF
Royal of Fairhaven Nursing Center	1.4 mi	Fairhaven, MA	★★☆☆☆	3/5
Vantage Health & Rehab of New Bedford	1.4 mi	New Bedford, MA	★☆☆☆☆	2/5
Hathaway Manor Extended Care	1.7 mi	New Bedford, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Alden Court Nursing Care & Rehabilitation Center	1.9 mi	Fairhaven, MA	★★★★☆	4/5
Our Ladys Haven of Fairhaven INC	1.9 mi	Fairhaven, MA	★★★★★	4/5
Brandon Woods of Dartmouth	2.6 mi	South Dartmouth, MA	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Care One at New Bedford	3.6 mi	New Bedford, MA	★★★☆☆	3/5
Oaks, the	6.4 mi	New Bedford, MA	★★★★☆	4/5
Sippican Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center	9.5 mi	Marion, MA	★★★★☆	3/5
The Grove at Carvalho	10.9 mi	Fall River, MA	★☆☆☆☆	1/5
Kimwell Nursing and Rehabilitation	11.3 mi	Fall River, MA	★☆☆☆☆	2/5

Compare this facility with the 3 closest →

All facilities in New Bedford →

Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 225389.

The Care File

Visit checklist — Sacred Heart Nursing Home

359 Summer Street, New Bedford, MA 02740 · 5089966751

Health inspection rating 4/5 · CMS overall 5/5· Fines (3y): $0

Questions for the administrator:

☐ "What did your most recent kitchen inspection find, and can I see how food is stored and prepared?"
☐ "How do you prevent bedsores for residents who can't move themselves, and how often are at-risk residents repositioned?"
☐ "Who leads your infection prevention program, and how do you make sure staff follow practices like hand hygiene every day?"
☐ "Who oversees antibiotic use here, and how do you decide when an antibiotic is really needed?"
☐ "Can we tour the whole building today, including resident bathrooms and common areas, not just the lobby?"
☐ "Can you show me an example care plan, and how are families included when it's created and updated?"
☐ "Can you tell me what this citation involved and what steps you took to bring care back up to standard?"
☐ "How do you learn about each resident's background and history, and how does that shape their care?"
☐ "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?"

While you're there, notice:

☐ Smell and cleanliness in hallways, not just the lobby
☐ How staff speak to residents; call lights answered promptly
☐ Residents up, dressed, and engaged (visit mealtimes and a weekend if you can)

Data: CMS Provider Data Catalog, version 2026-08-01 · CCN 225389 · Verify at medicare.gov/care-compare · Printed from The Care File (thecarefile.com)