Lincoln County, Tennessee · Nursing home
Donalson Care Center
3 of 5 overall from CMS
1681 Winchester Highway, Fayetteville, TN 37334
At a glance
- Overall rating 3 of 5 Same as the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.74 hours Below the state average of 3.80
- Nursing staff who left in a year 39.1% Below the state average of 48.9%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 24 5 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 49.6% of 168 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.
Donalson Care Center is a 168-bed nursing home in Fayetteville, Tennessee (Lincoln County). CMS rates it 3 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.74 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the Tennessee average of 3.80. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 168
- Residents per day (average)
- 83.3
- Certified since
- 1985 (41 yrs)
Non profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Huntsville Hospital Health System (3 homes)
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.
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 Donalson Care Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS counts 7 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Mar 12, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Tennessee average is 4.4. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Reported nurse staffing is 3.17 hours per resident on weekends against 3.74 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- About 49.6% of certified beds are in use on an average day. Are any units closed, or are admissions limited?Certified beds and average residents in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 3 of 5 Tennessee average 3.0
- Health inspections 3 of 5 Tennessee average 3.0
- Staffing 2 of 5 Tennessee average 2.5
- Quality measures 3 of 5 Tennessee average 3.6
The vertical line marks the Tennessee 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 3.74 h Tennessee average 3.80
- Nurse aides 2.06 h Tennessee average 2.12
- Licensed practical nurses 1.26 h Tennessee average 1.09
- Registered nurses 0.43 h Tennessee average 0.60
- All staff, weekends 3.17 h Tennessee average 3.31
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 8 hours. The vertical line marks the Tennessee average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover39.1%
- Tennessee average48.9%
- Registered nurse turnover50.0%
- Tennessee average43.2%
- Administrators who left1
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Tennessee 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 | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 7.7% | 14.0% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 10.1% | 6.1% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 1.2% | 0.7% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 2.4% | 1.8% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 1.1% | 13.8% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 4.4% | 3.4% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 76.3% | 89.4% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 9.6% | 17.2% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 27.1% | 31.7% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 93.8% | 94.5% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 3.7% | 5.0% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 14.5% | 20.0% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 20.5% | 16.8% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.57 | 1.67 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 4.22 | 1.56 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 63.7% | 79.3% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.8% | 1.7% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 86.7% | 79.8% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 31.3% | 22.6% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 11.3% | 11.2% | 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 24 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 5 were at the immediate jeopardy level; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 1 was cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Jul 15, 2019: Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 12, 2025 | 7 | 12 |
| Jun 30, 2021 | 9 | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2019 | 8 | 2 |
Tennessee homes averaged 4.4 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 (24)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)
-
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 (Apr 26, 2025)
-
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 (Apr 26, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)
Show 19 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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 (Apr 26, 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 (Apr 26, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 26, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Environmental · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)
-
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 (Aug 12, 2021)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)
-
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 (Aug 12, 2021)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 12, 2021)
-
KImmediate jeopardy, pattern
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 (Aug 19, 2019)
-
KImmediate jeopardy, pattern
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 (Aug 19, 2019)
-
KImmediate jeopardy, pattern
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)
-
KImmediate jeopardy, pattern
Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)
-
KImmediate jeopardy, pattern
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Administration · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)
-
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 (Aug 19, 2019)
-
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 (Aug 19, 2019)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 19, 2019)
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
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this home in the past three years.
Tennessee homes averaged 0.5 fines and $22,907 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 Tennessee
- Size36 of 303 by certified beds
- Tennessee average residents per day84.0
- ChainHuntsville Hospital Health System
- Chain average overall rating3.3 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Lincoln County2
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Donalson Care Center?
Donalson Care Center has an overall rating of 3 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 3, staffing is 2 and quality measures is 3.
How many beds does Donalson Care Center have?
Donalson Care Center has 168 certified beds. It averages 83.3 residents per day, about 49.6% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Donalson Care Center?
The home reports 3.74 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.43 hours from registered nurses. The Tennessee average is 3.80 hours and 0.60 hours from registered nurses.
Has Donalson Care Center been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Donalson Care Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and 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
- 4 of 5 Elk River Health & Rehabilitation of Fayetteville 79beds 71.0%in use 3.41nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 Lynchburg Nursing Center 88beds 77.2%in use 3.75nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 NHC Healthcare, Tullahoma 90beds 103.4%in use 4.00nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Lincoln County
Who to call in Tennessee
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Tennessee.
- Long-term care ombudsman Tennessee Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 877-236-0013 (Toll-free; routes callers to the District Ombudsman program for their area. State office: 615-253-5412.) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Health Facilities Commission complaint intake (Division of Licensure and Regulation) 1-877-287-0010 (Toll-free; Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Complaints can also be filed through the Commission's online Public Records & Complaints Portal.) The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Tennessee 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 445173. 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.