Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
A standard survey is most likely before around October 2026
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of July 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Heartland Rehabilitation And Care Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Dietary staff failed to wash hands between dirty and clean tasks during meal prep. An aide contaminated her hands by handling pitchers, a trash can lid, dirty dishes, and a sink faucet, then handled coffee, tea, plates, and glasses without washing. Another dietary staff member contaminated her hands after touching her blouse and then handled a clean blender blade without washing. Facility policy required handwashing after touching dirty equipment and when changing tasks.
The facility failed to ensure proper food storage and handling practices, affecting 66 residents. Observations revealed uncovered, unsealed, and undated food items in the freezer, as well as expired items in storage. A dietary employee also failed to follow handwashing and glove usage protocols, increasing the risk of contamination.
The facility failed to lock mechanical closets and a private bathroom, posing hazards to residents. Additionally, a CNA did not use a gait belt during a resident transfer, leading to the resident being assisted to the floor. Staff confirmed that these areas should be locked and gait belts are required for safe transfers.
The facility failed to serve meals at acceptable temperatures and with an appetizing appearance, particularly for residents on pureed diets. Observations revealed that food items were served at temperatures below the acceptable range, and pureed foods were runny and mixed together. A resident reported that the food was usually cold and unappetizing. Multiple CNAs and the Dietary Supervisor confirmed these issues.
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with multiple health conditions received proper dental care. Despite requiring maximum assistance for oral hygiene, the resident's toothbrushes were found in unsanitary conditions, and staff did not assist regularly. Observations confirmed that dental care was not provided as needed, and the DON acknowledged the lack of a specific policy for activities of daily living.
The facility failed to ensure ice packs were maintained in cooler bags at the bedside for residents on thickened liquids, affecting two residents. Observations revealed that the cooler bags contained room temperature water and no ice packs, making the fluids unappetizing. Staff confirmed that ice packs should be checked every morning, but this was not consistently done.
The facility failed to date humidifier bottles for two residents using oxygen, including one with cerebrovascular disease and schizophrenia. Despite protocols requiring weekly changes and dating, observations revealed undated bottles, confirmed by an LPN and the DON.
Dietary Staff Failed to Wash Hands Between Dirty and Clean Tasks
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure dietary staff washed their hands between dirty and clean tasks and before handling clean equipment during meal preparation. During a concurrent observation and interview on 07/30/2025 at 8:51 AM, Dietary Aide (DA) #1 pushed a cart of pitchers without gloves, contaminating her hands, and then picked up a coffee bag and placed it into the coffee basket without washing her hands. When asked what should have been done after touching dirty objects and before handling clean equipment, DA #1 stated she should have washed her hands. During additional observations the same day, DA #2 lifted a trash can lid and discarded tissue paper without gloves, contaminating her hands, and then handled a bag of tea and placed it into a brew basket without washing her hands. DA #1 later pushed a cart of dirty dishes, then picked up clean plates from the dish rack and placed her fingers on the food-contact surface before placing them into the plate warmer, again without washing her hands. DA #2 also turned a sink faucet on and off without gloves, contaminating her hands, then picked up glasses by their rims and poured thickened liquid into them without washing her hands. Later, Dietary [NAME] (DC) #3 pulled her blouse down, contaminating her hands, and then picked up a clean blender blade and attached it to the blender base without washing her hands. A facility policy titled, “Handwashing and Glove Usage in Food service,” stated hands should be washed before starting work, after touching dirty equipment and work surfaces, and when changing tasks.
Improper Food Storage and Handling Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure proper food storage and handling practices in the kitchen, which had the potential to affect 66 residents. Observations revealed that several food items in the freezer were not covered, sealed, or dated, including cheese omelets, egg patties, steak fingers, chocolate chip cookies, and bread sticks. Additionally, expired food items were found on the bread rack and storage room rack, including hot dog buns, bread, tea leaves, and nectar lemon flavor cartons. These items were not promptly removed from stock, posing a risk of foodborne illness to residents receiving meals from the kitchen. Furthermore, a dietary employee was observed not following proper handwashing and glove usage protocols. The employee handled sandwich buns with contaminated gloves and then proceeded to handle clean equipment and food items without washing her hands. This included attaching a clean blade to a blender and preparing food for residents requiring pureed and mechanical soft diets. The facility's policy on handwashing and glove usage was not adhered to, increasing the risk of contamination and potential foodborne illness for the residents.
Failure to Lock Hazardous Areas and Ensure Safe Resident Transfers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure mechanical closets to the electrical and air conditioning rooms were locked, posing a potential hazard to residents. On multiple occasions, surveyors observed doors labeled 'Mechanical Room' slightly ajar and containing hazardous equipment and tools. The Maintenance Supervisor and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that these doors should remain locked to prevent resident access to dangerous areas, but this procedure was not followed, affecting the safety of residents in the 400 Hall area. Additionally, the facility failed to lock a private bathroom on 400 Hall that lacked a call light or pull cord, which is essential for residents to call for assistance. The surveyor observed the bathroom door slightly ajar, with boxes and clear fluid jugs inside, and confirmed with LPN #1 and the DON that the bathroom should be locked and equipped with a call light. The absence of a call light in the bathroom posed a risk to residents who might fall and be unable to call for help. The facility also failed to transfer residents appropriately to prevent falls or injuries. A surveyor observed a CNA attempting to transfer a resident from a wheelchair to a bed without using a gait belt, resulting in the resident being assisted to the floor after multiple unsuccessful attempts. The DON and other staff confirmed that a gait belt is required for such transfers to ensure safety. The facility's documentation and in-service training materials also emphasized the importance of using gait belts during transfers, but this protocol was not followed in the observed incident.
Failure to Serve Meals at Acceptable Temperatures and with Appetizing Appearance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that meals were served at acceptable temperatures and with an appetizing appearance, particularly for residents receiving pureed diets. During observations, it was noted that food items, including lasagna with meat sauce and various breakfast items, were served at temperatures significantly below the acceptable range. For instance, lasagna was served at 110 and 111 degrees Fahrenheit, while pureed scrambled eggs, sausage, and oatmeal were served at temperatures ranging from 99 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the pureed food items were runny and mixed together, making them unappealing to the residents. Multiple CNAs and the Dietary Supervisor confirmed the poor appearance and inadequate temperature of the food served. Resident #18, who has diagnoses of end-stage renal disease, malnutrition, and metabolic encephalopathy, reported that the food was usually cold and did not taste good. This resident requires set-up assistance with meals due to a previous stroke. The observations and interviews revealed that the facility's failure to maintain proper food temperatures and presentation affected the residents' dining experience and potentially their nutritional intake. The Dietary Supervisor acknowledged that the pureed food items could have been thickened to improve their appearance and consistency.
Failure to Provide Adequate Dental Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents received adequate dental care, which is essential for good hygiene and preventing nutritional and dental complications. Specifically, Resident #14, who has diagnoses of cerebral infarction, absence of the right leg below the knee, and type II diabetes mellitus with a foot ulcer, did not receive proper assistance with oral hygiene. Despite being cognitively intact and requiring maximum assistance for various activities of daily living, including oral hygiene, the resident's toothbrushes were found in unsanitary conditions, and the resident reported that staff did not assist with brushing teeth regularly. The resident indicated that a family member only assisted with dental care on weekends, which was insufficient for maintaining proper oral hygiene. Observations over multiple days revealed that the resident's toothbrushes were left in the same unsanitary positions, and staff were unable to identify which toothbrush belonged to the resident. A CNA confirmed that toothbrushes should be stored in plastic holders with the resident's name on them and that dental care should be provided after meals, at bedtime, and as needed. The DON acknowledged that CNAs are responsible for providing regular dental care but admitted that the facility did not have a specific policy for activities of daily living, although an in-service on oral and dental care was available. This lack of proper dental care had the potential to affect other residents requiring complete dental assistance on the same hall.
Failure to Maintain Ice Packs in Cooler Bags for Residents on Thickened Liquids
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that ice packs were maintained in cooler bags at the bedside for residents on thickened liquids, which is necessary to make fluids appetizing and help prevent dehydration and weight loss. This deficiency was observed in two residents on the 400-Hall. Specifically, Resident #39, who has diagnoses of Dysphagia, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, and Dementia, was affected. The resident's care plan required nectar-thickened liquids, but observations revealed that the cooler bag at the bedside contained room temperature water and no ice packs, making the fluids unappetizing. The resident expressed a preference for cold drinks, but the fluids provided were not maintained at a cool temperature as required by the care plan. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) and the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that ice packs should be checked every morning and that any staff member who finds a cooler bag without ice or thickened liquids is expected to address it. However, observations on multiple occasions showed that the cooler bags contained melted water and no ice packs. The DON acknowledged that there was no specific hydration policy to address thickened liquids at the bedside, and the kitchen did not date the 4 oz containers, relying instead on expiration dates. This lack of adherence to the care plan and facility protocols led to the deficiency in maintaining proper hydration for the residents.
Failure to Date Humidifier Bottles for Oxygen Therapy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to date humidifier bottles to ensure nursing staff changed them weekly, which is necessary to prevent respiratory infections. This deficiency was observed in two residents using oxygen with humidifier bottles. Specifically, Resident #59, who had diagnoses of cerebrovascular disease, pressure ulcer of the sacral region, and schizophrenia, was observed on multiple occasions receiving oxygen via nasal cannula with an undated humidifier bottle. The care plan for Resident #59 indicated that disposable respiratory equipment should be changed and dated every Sunday night shift, but this was not adhered to as evidenced by the undated humidifier bottle observed on three separate days. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) #1 confirmed that the humidifier bottle should be changed every 7 days and dated to ensure it is not used for more than a week. The Director of Nursing (DON) also confirmed that staff are expected to change humidifier bottles every 7 days on Sunday nights and provided a policy that documented the same. Despite these protocols, the facility failed to ensure compliance, leading to the potential risk of respiratory infections for the residents involved.
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Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
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Nursing homes near Benton
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alcoa Pines Health And Rehabilitation | 2.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Arkansas Health Center | 2.8 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Amberwood Health And Rehabilitation | 3.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Evergreen Living Center At Stagecoach | 6.3 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Southern Trace Rehabilitation And Care Center | 7 mi | ★★★★★ | 10 | 0 |
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Trusted data, never guesswork. Every citation, penalty, rating and Plan of Correction on this page is sourced from public CMS records (latest release July 2026) and official state health department websites.