Worst Nursing Homes in Maryland
Nursing homes are responsible for providing quality health services to their elderly residents. Unfortunately, most nursing homes occasionally fall short of these standards, and some facilities in Maryland repeatedly do so.
In this article, we will explore some of the worst nursing homes in Maryland and the health services problems they face.
How Nursing Homes Are Rated in Maryland
Information on skilled nursing homes is publicly available from multiple sources. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created a five-star rating system to evaluate facilities nationwide. Each nursing home receives an overall score, a staffing score, a health inspection score, and a quality measures score. You can compare nursing homes using the tool on the website.
You can also find resources via the Maryland Department for Aging and Disability Services about retirement community resident rights and facility inspections.
Maryland Nursing Homes with a History of Violations
- Oakwood SNF LLC – This facility has had 64 violations since 2017. The most recent complaint report in 2022 revealed several serious deficiencies, including a failure to protect residents from abuse, neglect, and exploitation [1].
- Hagerstown Healthcare Center – Since 2017, 161 deficiencies have been cited in various inspections and complaint reports. Failing to prevent abuse and neglect has been a consistent issue over the years, along with resident assessment practices, resident rights violations, and developing adequate care plans [2].
- Largo Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – In a 2024 report, this rehabilitation center was cited for 51 deficiencies that resulted in a $72,514 fine. The most severe violations included instances of physical, sexual, and mental abuse, the presence of accident hazards, and nutritional support failures [3].
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Arcola – Autumn Lake Healthcare has violated resident rights on multiple occasions. Some patients have been subjected to an undignified existence, while others have not been allowed to return to the nursing home after hospitalization [4].
- Pines Nursing and Rehab – Residents at this rehabilitation center have suffered due to many deficiencies. One report cited 65 violations in 2022. Among the issues were occurrences of physical abuse, financial exploitation, and a failure to provide basic life support [5].
- Julia Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center – A report in 2023 resulted in 41 deficiencies and a fine of $207,864 at this rehabilitation center. The most severe violation was a failure to protect multiple residents from physical, mental, and sexual abuse, physical punishment, and exploitation [6].
- Charlotte Hall Veterans Home – Since 2022, this healthcare center has been fined over $268,000. During that time, the biggest violations were abuse, neglect, failure to respond to abuse allegations, and improper use of physical restraints [7].
- Manokin Nursing and Rehab – In 2023, this healthcare center was punished with a $160,326 fine and a Medicare payment suspension. The main reasons for this punishment were residents being abused, food being stored improperly, and food coming from unapproved sources [8].
- Ellicott City Healthcare Center – Ellicott City Healthcare Center has a history of repeat violations, including the presence of accident hazards, failing to provide appropriate pain management, and honoring the resident’s right to a dignified existence [9].
- Complete Care at Heritage LLC – A standard inspection in 2023 revealed numerous failures that led to a fine of $69,787. The most severe deficiencies were related to abuse, accident hazards, and unclean environments [10].
- Carroll Park Healthcare – This Special Focus Facility candidate has one of the longest records of deficiencies of all the skilled nursing homes on this list. There have been 139 deficiencies since 2019, and one report led to a fine of $267,000. Abuse, inappropriate care plans, and resident rights violations have been the most severe issues [11].
- Rossville Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center – A complaint report in 2024 uncovered four deficiencies that led to a fine of $157,250 for this healthcare center. The primary violations were a failure to prevent abuse, a failure to provide properly trained nurses, and not responding appropriately to abuse allegations [12].
Common Deficiencies Found in Maryland Nursing Homes
Many Maryland nursing homes struggle with the same violations. Here are some of the most common deficiencies found in facilities with these health services:
- Infection prevention and control failures
- Inadequate staffing levels and improper training
- Medication errors and mismanagement
- Failure to provide basic living assistance
- Pressure ulcers and improper wound care
- Unclean premises with accident hazards
Recognizing the Signs of Abuse and Neglect in Nursing Homes
Knowing the signs of abuse and neglect could help you protect your elderly loved one in a long-term care facility.
Some common signs of abuse or neglect in a rehabilitation center include bruises, fractures, unexplained injuries, malnutrition, bedsores, poor hygiene, withdrawal, fear, agitation, missing belongings, STDs, pain, bleeding, and behavioral changes.
Legal Rights of Nursing Home Residents in Maryland
All residents in nursing facilities have rights protected by state and federal laws, such as the Federal Nursing Home Reform Act. These statutes include the right to be free from abuse and neglect, the right to a dignified existence, and the right to participate in long-term care planning.
What to Do if You Suspect Abuse or Neglect in a Maryland Rehabilitation Center?
If you suspect abuse or neglect is compromising the safety of your loved one, here are the steps you should follow:
- Document your concerns with notes, photos, and videos.
- Report your suspicions to the facility administrators.
- File a complaint with the Maryland Department for Aging and Disability Services
- Contact the Ombudsman program.
- Consult an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer.
Filing a Lawsuit for Nursing Home Abuse or Neglect in Maryland
You can pursue compensation for legal damages like medical expenses, future medical costs, emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life with a nursing home abuse lawsuit.
This process will involve a claim investigation, gathering evidence, determining liability, filing a complaint, the discovery process, and settlement negotiations.
Contact a Maryland Nursing Home Attorney for a Free Consultation
The Nursing Home Law Center can help you build a strong compensation claim for nursing home abuse or neglect. Call our Maryland nursing home abuse lawyers today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to request a free consultation with an experienced lawyer.
Resources: [1] ProPublica – Oakwood SNF, [2] ProPublica – Hagerstown, [3] ProPublica – Largo Nursing, [4] ProPublica – Autumn Lake, [5] ProPublica – Pines Nursing, [6] ProPublica – Julia Manor, [7] ProPublica – Charlotte Hall, [8] ProPublica – Manokin Nursing, [9] ProPublica – Ellicott City, [10] ProPublica – Complete Care, [11] ProPublica – Carroll Park, [12] ProPublica – Rossville Rehabilitation