Worst Nursing Homes in Kansas
When you or a loved one move to a skilled nursing care center, the expectation is you will have access to high-quality care in a safe environment. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case, especially in some of the lowest-rated nursing homes in Kansas. In this article, we will explore some of the issues that plague the worst nursing homes in the state and list the most troublesome facilities.
How Nursing Homes Are Rated in Kansas
You can look at nursing home ratings from several perspectives. The primary method is the five-star rating system created by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, but you can also use state information from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Rating System
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rates every eligible nursing home in the nation out of five stars. Each facility has an overall score out of five, along with individual categories like health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. You can look up a facility’s history of violations and federal ratings with this tool.
In the list below, every health care center has a one-star rating for its overall score.
Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) Inspections
KDADS regularly inspects and oversees nursing homes throughout the state. You can visit this website to look up specific long-term care facilities and uncover their inspection reports to look for violations.
List of Worst Kansas Nursing Homes
- Medicalodges Post Acute Care Center – Many residents suffered at this health care center due to poor infection prevention practices. A report in 2023 resulted in a $29,660 fine and 24 total deficiencies. One of the most severe concerns was the staff’s inability to protect several patients from abuse, neglect, or exploitation [1].
- Legacy at College Hill – Residents have the right to freedom from physical, mental, and sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Unfortunately, a 2023 report found that many patients did not have this protection at Legacy at College Hill. There have been many deficiencies regarding quality of life in recent years as well [2].
- Excel Healthcare and Rehab Overland Park – As recently as September 2024, a report uncovered multiple violations regarding nutritional care and resident rights. Although it has not affected many patients, there have been cases of abuse and neglect as well [3].
- Lakepoint El Dorado, LLC – A complaint report filed in July 2024 lists protection from abuse and neglect as deficiencies at this facility. The staff also did not respond appropriately to all allegations. There have also been multiple resident care and assessment violations recently [4].
- Smoky Hill Rehabilitation Center – The safety of multiple residents has been violated as recently as September 2024. The most severe violations include failing to provide care services according to resident preferences, failing to protect residents from all types of abuse, and keeping the property free of accident hazards [5}.
- Prairie Ridge Health and Rehabilitation – Many of Prairie Ridge’s failures have to do with administrative practices. In several reports, nurses were not being adequately observed or properly educated. There were also failures regarding ulcer care, nutritional support, and overall quality of life [6].
- Anew Healthcare Easton – One complaint report in 2024 revealed a very severe case of resident abuse and neglect. Resident rights have also been violated, including the freedom to manage financial duties, the right to be fully informed about their care, and the right to have a comprehensive care plan [7].
- The Healthcare Resort of Olathe – This facility has been cited for allowing accident hazards on the premises and not protecting all residents from potential abuse or neglect. There have also been severe medication errors that have harmed several patients [8].
- Medicalodges Iola – Cases of abuse, neglect, or exploitation have significantly harmed several residents in the last three years at this institution. Accident hazards have been an issue as well, leading to two separate fines totaling roughly $37,000 [9].
- Bonner Springs Nursing and Rehab Center – 58 deficiencies have been uncovered at Bonner Springs since 2019. Accident hazards, physical, sexual, and mental abuse, physical punishment, and exploitation have been the most severe occurrences [10].
- Advena Living at Fountainview – At Advena Living, dietary and nutritional care has been lacking in the last three years. The nursing staff have not been equipped to carry out their duties for this service, and foods are not always procured from quality sources or stored correctly. Several minor cases of abuse have also occurred [11].
- Anew Healthcare Oxford – A particularly bad report in 2024 included 36 total deficiencies and resulted in a fine of $312,500 and a Medicare payment suspension. The most serious violations were rampant abuse and neglect, a failure to respond to these allegations, and a failure to report them [12].
- Sandstone Heights – Several residents were affected by physical, sexual, or mental abuse, according to a 2024 complaint report. This included a misuse of the resident’s belongings. Nursing and physician services have also been cited as lacking in other reports [13].
- Hilltop Lodge Health and Rehabilitation Center – One of the worst offenses discovered at Hilltop Lodge was the failure to provide basic life support to a resident. Some minor cases of abuse and neglect also occurred, as well as insufficient staffing issues [14].
- Good Samaritan Society – Liberal – In 2024, abuse and neglect deficiencies led to a $73,250 fine against the Good Samaritan Society. These issues also went unreported and, in some cases, uninvestigated. Multiple administrative failures also contributed to negative reports about this facility [15].
- Legacy at Herington – In 2023, a report revealed that the staff at Legacy at Herington had failed to protect residents from all types of physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse. Administrative failures, quality of life issues, and violation of resident rights have also resulted in a poor rating for this institution [16].
Common Deficiencies Found in Kansas Nursing Homes
If one rehab center struggles with a specific issue, chances are many other facilities are too. Here are some of the most common deficiencies reported in the worst Kansas nursing homes:
- Infection prevention and control failures
- Insufficient staffing levels and poorly trained nurses
- Medication errors and mismanagement
- Physical, sexual, and psychological abuse
- Improper monitoring and neglect
- Pressure ulcers and poor wound care practices
- Inadequate nutrition and daily living support
Signs of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
If you have a loved one in a nursing facility, you should be on the lookout for the warning signs of an abusive or neglectful environment. Here are some of the most common signs:
- Physical abuse – Bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries
- Sexual abuse – STDs, pain, bleeding
- Neglect – Malnutrition, poor hygiene, bedsores
- Emotional abuse – Withdrawal, fear, agitation
- Financial exploitation – Missing belongings, financial document changes, missing funds
- Behavioral changes
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents in Kansas
Every health care center resident is granted certain rights by state and federal laws, such as the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act. You have the right to be free from abuse and neglect, the right to a dignified existence, and the right to participate in your care planning. That includes the ability to refuse treatment.
What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Kansas Nursing Home?
If you have any suspicion that abuse or neglect is taking place in a long-term care facility, you should follow these steps to address the issue legally.
- Document your concerns and proof of them, including notes, photos, or videos.
- Report your suspicions to the facility administrators.
- File a complaint with KDADS.
- Contact the long-term care ombudsman program.
- Consult an experienced nursing home neglect lawyer.
Filing a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Kansas
You may have grounds for a lawsuit if you or your family member have suffered damages due to abusive or negligent behavior. The legal process would involve a claim investigation, gathering evidence, determining liability, filing a complaint, a discovery process, a settlement negotiation, and a trial in some cases.
Compensation in Kansas Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Cases
A lawsuit allows you to pursue compensation for legal damages. Economic damages from nursing home abuse may include lost income, medical expenses, or future medical costs. Non-economic damages would cover emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact Our Nursing Home Attorneys for a Free Consultation
The Nursing Home Law Center is ready to defend your rights and hold the at-fault facility accountable for abuse or neglect. Call our Kansas nursing home abuse lawyers today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to request a free consultation.
Resources: [1] ProPublica – Medicalodges Post Acute, [2] ProPublica – Legacy at College Hill, [3] ProPublica – Excel Healthcare, [4] ProPublica – Lakepoint El Dorado, [5] ProPublica – Smoky Hill, [6] ProPublica – Prairie Ridge, [7] ProPublica – Anew Healthcare Easton, [8] ProPublica – Healthcare Resort of Olave, [9] ProPublica – Medicalodges Iola, [10] ProPublica – Bonner Springs, [11] ProPublica – Advena Living, [12] ProPublica – Anew Healthcare Oxford, [13] ProPublica – Sandstone Heights, [14] ProPublica – Hilltop Lodge, [15] ProPublica – Good Samaritan, [16] ProPublica – Legacy at Herington