Allegheny County, Pennsylvania · Nursing home
Southwestern Veterans Center
3 of 5 overall from CMS
7060 Highland Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15206
At a glance
- Overall rating 3 of 5 Same as the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 4.27 hours Above the state average of 3.89
- Nursing staff who left in a year 45.8% Above the state average of 44.5%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 36 3 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $245,564 1 fine
- Certified beds in use 74.3% of 236 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Southwestern Veterans Center is a 236-bed nursing home in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Allegheny County). CMS rates it 3 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 4.27 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Pennsylvania average of 3.89. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $245,564 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 236
- Residents per day (average)
- 175.4
- Certified since
- 2009 (17 yrs)
Government - State Participates in MedicaidCMS abuse citation icon: Yes
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
- Abuse citation icon. CMS assigns this icon when a home was cited for abuse where residents were found to be harmed, on its most recent standard inspection or on a complaint or infection-control inspection in the past 12 months, or was cited for abuse with potential harm in that period and again in the period before. Signs of abuse and how to report it
These labels are shown as CMS publishes them. They describe the inspection record, not what has changed since.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Southwestern Veterans Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 1 fine totaling $245,564 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 45.8%, above the Pennsylvania average of 44.5%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.70 hours per resident on weekends against 4.27 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 3 of 5 Pennsylvania average 3.0
- Health inspections 2 of 5 Pennsylvania average 2.8
- Staffing 5 of 5 Pennsylvania average 3.0
- Quality measures 4 of 5 Pennsylvania average 3.6
The vertical line marks the Pennsylvania average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 4.27 h Pennsylvania average 3.89
- Nurse aides 2.06 h Pennsylvania average 2.19
- Licensed practical nurses 0.78 h Pennsylvania average 0.91
- Registered nurses 1.43 h Pennsylvania average 0.79
- All staff, weekends 3.70 h Pennsylvania average 3.53
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 11 hours. The vertical line marks the Pennsylvania average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover45.8%
- Pennsylvania average44.5%
- Registered nurse turnover26.8%
- Pennsylvania average39.9%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Pennsylvania and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 13.3% | 16.8% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 6.6% | 6.2% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 3.0% | 1.5% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 5.1% | 10.8% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.2% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 5.0% | 3.1% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 99.8% | 87.5% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 10.7% | 17.0% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 10.9% | 20.0% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 98.8% | 93.5% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 7.2% | 4.8% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 21.6% | 25.5% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 17.3% | 17.7% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.03 | 1.62 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 0.99 | 1.18 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 94.7% | 70.0% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.0% | 1.4% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 92.9% | 68.7% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | Too few residents or stays to report | 22.5% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | Too few residents or stays to report | 9.5% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 36 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 was at the immediate jeopardy level and 2 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 9 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Sep 26, 2025: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| May 15, 2026 | 8 | 3 |
| Apr 25, 2025 | 16 | 4 |
| May 10, 2024 | 12 | 2 |
Pennsylvania homes averaged 10.0 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (36)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2026)
Show 25 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2026)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Past Non-Compliance (Aug 14, 2025)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Past Non-Compliance (Aug 14, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 4, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 18, 2024)
Showing the 30 most recent of 36.
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nov 28, 2023 | Fine | $245,564 |
Pennsylvania homes averaged 0.8 fines and $25,774 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Pennsylvania
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Southwestern Veterans Center?
Southwestern Veterans Center has an overall rating of 3 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 2, staffing is 5 and quality measures is 4.
How many beds does Southwestern Veterans Center have?
Southwestern Veterans Center has 236 certified beds. It averages 175.4 residents per day, about 74.3% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Southwestern Veterans Center?
The home reports 4.27 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 1.43 hours from registered nurses. The Pennsylvania average is 3.89 hours and 0.79 hours from registered nurses.
Has Southwestern Veterans Center been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $245,564 in the past three years.
Does Southwestern Veterans Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 3 of 5 East End Health & Rehab Center 144beds 71.9%in use 3.47nurse hours a day
- 1 of 5 Champion City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 187beds 89.0%in use 2.96nurse hours a day
- 1 of 5 Burgh Care Center 126beds 55.6%in use 3.39nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Allegheny County
Who to call in Pennsylvania
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Pennsylvania.
- Long-term care ombudsman Pennsylvania Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 717-783-8975 An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Division of Nursing Care Facilities 1-800-254-5164 The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Pennsylvania staffing, bed-hold and Medicaid rules · Residents' rights in every state
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 39A438. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.