Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
The next survey window likely opens around January 2027
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 Heritage House Nursing Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Call Light Not Kept Within Reach or Independently Usable: A resident with hemiplegia/hemiparesis after a CVA, severe cognitive impairment, and maximal ADL dependence was observed with the call light placed out of reach on multiple occasions. The resident could not independently activate the dome-shaped soft call light, and the DON confirmed the resident had a splint related to a prior stroke and could not use the current device independently.
Failure to Reassess PRN Psychotropic Medication: A resident with Alzheimer's disease and severe cognitive impairment remained on a PRN lorazepam order for anxiety beyond the 14-day limit without documented physician reassessment. The facility policy limited PRN psychotropic use to 14 days unless the physician documented a rationale to extend it, and the DON acknowledged awareness of the requirement but did not ensure the medication was reevaluated. Staff also reported the resident was on hospice, had increased behaviors after Seroquel was discontinued, and lorazepam had been increased for agitation.
A resident with a diagnosis of tobacco use was observed going outside for smoke breaks, and staff confirmed the resident smoked daily. However, the MDS was coded as no tobacco use even though the resident's smoking screening documented tobacco use and the RN who completed the assessment said the entry was made in error.
Failure to implement a care plan intervention for a resident at moderate fall risk. The care plan directed staff to keep the call light within reach, but observations found the call light placed out of reach on two occasions, including once hanging near the floor and once on the bed. The resident had hemiplegia/hemiparesis, was dependent with maximal assistance for all ADLs, and had severely impaired cognition per BIMS.
Improper Food Thermometer Calibration: Staff failed to properly calibrate a food thermometer before checking food temperatures, calibrating it to 40 degrees F instead of the required 32 degrees F. During observation, the Dietary Manager corrected the error by pointing to a posted reminder, and the staff member stated she had been trained to calibrate it differently. The Administrator later stated kitchen staff and management were responsible for maintaining competent food safety practices and following their training.
A cook failed to sanitize a food thermometer between checking the temperatures of multiple food items on the steam table. The cook initially cleaned the thermometer, then used the same thermometer on each item without sanitizing the wand between checks and confirmed this during interview. The DM stated it was the cook's responsibility to maintain sanitary conditions on the food line, and the Administrator stated kitchen staff and management were responsible for maintaining sanitary food handling practices.
Failure to Use EBP During Wound Care: A resident with an unhealed Stage 2 pressure ulcer received wound care without the required gown use under EBP, even though EBP signage was posted and PPE was available in the room. RN and DON both confirmed they forgot to don the required PPE during the dressing change, and an LPN stated residents with pressure ulcers were placed on EBP.
Call Light Not Kept Within Reach or Independently Usable
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to reasonably accommodate Resident #5’s physical limitations by not keeping the call light within reach and by not providing a call light the resident could independently activate to request assistance. The facility’s policy required staff to ensure the resident had the call light in reach before leaving the room. Resident #5 was admitted with diagnoses including hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction affecting the left non-dominant side, and the Functional Assessment documented upper one-sided limitations, dependence, and maximal assistance with all ADLs. The Quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 3, indicating severely impaired cognition. During observation, Resident #5 was in bed and stated she wanted water, but the call light was positioned between the bed rail and mattress, hanging near the floor and out of reach. The resident could not access it, and the PTA retrieved it and confirmed it had been out of reach. The resident had a dome-shaped soft call light and was unable to independently press the button to request assistance. On a later observation, the resident was seated upright in a chair with a splint on the left arm, and the call light was again observed on the bed and out of reach. The DON confirmed the resident had a splint related to a prior stroke and that a tent-style call light had been ordered because the resident was unable to activate the current device independently.
Failure to Reassess PRN Psychotropic Medication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident was evaluated for continued need of a PRN psychotropic medication after 14 days. Resident #9 was admitted with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease and, on the most recent MDS, was assessed as having short- and long-term memory problems with severely impaired cognitive skills for daily decision making. The facility's policy stated that PRN psychotropic medications were limited to 14 days unless the physician identified a rationale to extend use, and PRN anti-psychotic drugs were not to be renewed unless the physician evaluated the resident for appropriateness of the medication. Record review showed Resident #9 had an order for lorazepam concentrate 2 mg/ml, 1 ml by mouth every 4 hours as needed for anxiety, dated 1/30/26, with no 14-day stop date. The facility's GDR list noted the PRN anxiety medication should be limited to 14 days and then reassessed, and the psychotropic dashboard showed the PRN lorazepam had been reordered after being discontinued. Review of the MAR showed the PRN lorazepam continued beyond 14 days without documented physician evaluation for continued need, and the resident received seven doses after the 14-day period. RN interviews indicated the resident had been on hospice since December, had increased behaviors after Seroquel was discontinued, and lorazepam had been increased due to agitation. The DON stated she was aware of the 14-day limitation and had discussed the recommendation with the hospice nurse, but did not follow through to ensure the medication was reassessed.
MDS Incorrectly Coded Tobacco Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment was coded accurately to reflect a resident's tobacco use for Resident #46. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including tobacco use, and the facility's Smoking Screening documented that the resident smoked or used tobacco products. The Significant Change MDS with an ARD of 11/12/25 showed a BIMS score of 15, indicating the resident was cognitively intact, but Section J1300 was coded as no tobacco use. During observation, Resident #46 was seen being assisted outside for a smoke break with a CNA, and the CNA later confirmed the resident smoked daily. The RN who completed the Smoking Screening and the MDS confirmed tobacco use had been coded as no on the MDS in error and stated it was overlooked. The Administrator stated she expected MDS staff to code assessments accurately to reflect the resident's care and status.
Failure to Keep Call Light Within Reach
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a comprehensive care plan intervention for one resident identified as moderate risk for falls. The resident’s care plan included an intervention to ensure the call light was within reach, but during observation on 02/23/2026 the call light was positioned between the bed rail and mattress, hanging near the floor and out of reach, and the resident was unable to access it. During another observation on 02/25/2026, the call light was again found on the bed and out of the resident’s reach. Record review showed the resident was admitted on 10/25/24 with diagnoses including hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting the left non-dominant side. The functional assessment dated 2/18/26 indicated upper one-sided limitations, dependence, and maximal assistance with all ADLs. The quarterly MDS dated 2/18/26 showed a BIMS score of 3, indicating severely impaired cognition. The DON stated her expectation is that staff take the time to learn each resident, understand individual needs, and ensure those needs are consistently met, and the Administrator stated staff should follow established guidelines, policies, and procedures for all residents to ensure safety and appropriate care.
Improper Food Thermometer Calibration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure staff maintained competency in food safety practices by not properly calibrating a food thermometer before checking food temperatures for one of three kitchen observations. The facility policy, reviewed 05/23, required all thermometers to be calibrated before each meal using the ice point method and to read 32 degrees F. During an observation on 02/24/2026, the [NAME] prepared to take temperatures of food items on the steam table and calibrated the thermometer to 40 degrees F. The [NAME] stated she believed the thermometer should be calibrated to 40 degrees and said she had been trained to do so. The Dietary Manager intervened and pointed to a posted sign instructing staff to calibrate thermometers to 32 degrees F. The [NAME] acknowledged that an improperly calibrated thermometer could result in inaccurate temperature readings. The DM stated the [NAME] had been trained and in-serviced monthly, signs were posted in the kitchen as reminders, and staff were expected to be knowledgeable about their job duties. On 02/25/2026, the Administrator stated she had been informed of the improper calibration by the [NAME] in the Dietary Department and said kitchen staff and management were responsible for maintaining competent food safety practices and following their training.
Failure to Sanitize Food Thermometer Between Food Items
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary food handling practices when a cook did not sanitize a food thermometer between checking the temperatures of multiple food items on the steam table during a kitchen observation. The cook was observed at a two-tiered table with cleaning wipes on the bottom shelf, retrieved a wipe, and initially cleaned the thermometer, but then used the same thermometer to check each food item without sanitizing the thermometer wand between items. During the interview, the cook confirmed she checked all foods without sanitizing between items and stated it was important to keep the thermometer clean to prevent cross-contamination. The Dietary Manager confirmed it was the cook's responsibility to maintain sanitary conditions on the food line, stated staff received monthly in-service training, and said she expected proper food handling practices. The Administrator later stated she had been informed of the kitchen practices and confirmed kitchen staff and management were responsible for maintaining sanitary food handling practices.
Failure to Use EBP During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
Enhanced Barrier Precautions were not implemented during wound care for Resident #18, who was admitted with diagnoses including hemiplegia and hemiparesis and had an unhealed Stage 2 pressure ulcer to the left hip. The resident’s active orders directed daily cleansing of the pressure ulcer with normal saline, application of collagen, and coverage with a dry dressing until healed. The resident’s MDS indicated the resident was rarely/never understood and had one or more unhealed pressure ulcers/injuries. During a wound care observation, RN #3 and the DON performed and assisted with the dressing change while EBP signage was posted above the headboard and PPE was available in the room. However, neither staff member wore a gown during the wound care. In the interview immediately after the procedure, both confirmed they did not wear gowns and stated they forgot to don the required PPE. An LPN later stated that residents with pressure ulcers were placed on EBP with signage and PPE in the room, and the Administrator stated she expected staff to follow EBP when providing care to residents with wounds or other conditions requiring PPE.
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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 Vicksburg
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bluffs Rehabilitation And Healthcare Center | 1.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 4 | 1 |
| Shady Lawn Health And Rehabilitation | 1.3 mi | ★★★★★ | 4 | 0 |
| Vicksburg Convalescent Center | 1.3 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Legacy Nursing And Rehabilitation Of Tallulah | 18.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 6 | 0 |
| Claiborne County Senior Care | 26.4 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 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.