Ashley Healthcare Center stands out among Michigan nursing homes, but not for the reasons you might expect. While its monthly care cost of $5,051 falls below the state average, the facility’s track record raises serious concerns. Notably, it has received 30 fines totaling $284,136 and holds a concerning 1-star rating, significantly below Michigan’s 3.47-star average. In fact, the facility has been designated as a Special Focus Facility due to its quality issues, with state surveyors documenting 40 separate instances of actual harm to residents. These findings, combined with staffing levels of just 2.74 hours of daily care per resident – well below the recommended 4.1 hours – paint a clear picture of the challenges facing this 63-bed facility.

Ashley Healthcare Center Overview

Located at 103 East Wallace Street in Ashley, Michigan, Ashley Healthcare Center operates as a skilled nursing facility providing round-the-clock medical care. The center maintains 63 certified beds in its facility, though specifically 19 of these beds were available as of November 2024.

Regarding ownership and management structure, the facility operates under a for-profit corporate model. Pioneer Healthcare Management serves as the affiliated management entity, with Fahim Uddin holding 100% direct ownership since August 2021. Under this leadership structure, the facility maintains daily operations through a dedicated management team focused on resident care delivery.

The center’s certification status encompasses both Medicare and Medicaid programs, offering residents access to these essential healthcare coverage options. Additionally, the facility features several organizational components that shape its operational framework:

• Resident Council presence for patient advocacy
• For-profit corporate structure
• Medicare/Medicaid dual certification
• Non-CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community) status

Specifically, Ashley Healthcare Center participates in Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality initiatives, enabling them to accept Medicare payments for skilled nursing services. Furthermore, the facility provides post-acute care services under these certifications, ensuring comprehensive coverage options for residents requiring various levels of medical attention.

Quality Metrics Analysis

Recent quality assessments reveal concerning patterns at Ashley Healthcare Center. The facility’s performance metrics paint a detailed picture of its operational standards and resident care quality.

CMS Star Ratings Breakdown

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluation shows consistently low ratings across key metrics. According to recent data, the facility maintains subpar performance in critical areas. The overall staffing rating remains particularly concerning, with direct care minutes falling well below recommended standards.

Staffing Levels and Ratios

Current staffing data shows 116 minutes of daily Certified Nursing Assistant care per resident, alongside 35 minutes from Licensed Practical Nurses and 44 minutes from Registered Nurses. These figures translate to approximately 3.25 hours of total direct care per resident daily, falling short of the recommended 4.1 hours. Moreover, the facility experienced unsafe staffing levels for 54 days out of 365 days in 2022.

Health Inspection Results

Health inspections have identified substantial compliance issues. The facility received 47 total deficiencies, including 4 infection-related violations. Among the most serious findings:

• Immediate jeopardy citations related to medication management and resident safety
• Multiple instances of actual harm documented across 40 separate deficiencies
• Serious violations in pressure ulcer care and accident prevention protocols

The facility faced monetary penalties totaling $322,000 in fines, coupled with 4 payment suspensions from Medicare. Primarily, these sanctions resulted from repeated failures in maintaining adequate care standards and addressing safety concerns. Overall, inspection reports highlight persistent challenges in meeting federal care requirements, particularly regarding infection control and resident safety protocols.

Resident Care Assessment

First and foremost, examining the medical services at Ashley Healthcare Center reveals a diverse range of specialized care options. The facility maintains 24-hour nursing supervision with a dedicated medical director on-site. Beyond standard care, specialized services encompass wound care, IV therapy, feeding tube management, and comprehensive medication administration.

Medical Services and Specialties

The center offers an extensive array of medical specialties:

• Advanced clinical services including high acuity care and specialized memory training
• On-site professional services from nutritionists, optometrists, and podiatrists
• Psychiatric and social work support for mental health needs
• Full medication management with certified medication aides

Safety Protocols and Incident Reports

Subsequently, safety metrics indicate substantial room for improvement. The facility reported 19.3% of short-term residents requiring emergency room visits during their stay. The center faced 18 documented incidents, with state surveyors noting failures in timely reporting of suspected abuse and neglect. Beyond that, inspection reports revealed inadequate supervision to prevent accidents and shortcomings in maintaining a hazard-free environment.

Rehabilitation Programs

The rehabilitation services focus on three core therapeutic approaches. Physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy form the foundation of the comprehensive rehabilitation program. As evidenced by recent data, 88.0% of residents maintained their ability to perform daily activities independently. Nevertheless, the facility received a “Below Average” rating for short-term rehabilitation outcomes, suggesting potential gaps in program effectiveness.

The center’s approach to resident care emphasizes maintaining independence, with dedicated staff working to preserve residents’ self-care abilities. However, documentation shows instances where the facility failed to provide appropriate treatment according to residents’ preferences and goals. The center maintains 93.9% compliance with annual flu vaccination protocols, demonstrating attention to preventive health measures.

Facility Performance Trends

Throughout the past five years, Ashley Healthcare Center’s performance metrics reveal concerning patterns in resident care quality. Looking at staffing trends, the facility’s total care hours per resident decreased from 4.99 hours in 2017 to 4.12 hours in 2022. This decline primarily affected direct patient care, with CNA hours dropping to 2.74 hours per resident daily in 2022.

Historical Quality Metrics

The center’s historical data shows a gradual deterioration in care standards. Between 2017 and 2022, the facility experienced unsafe staffing levels for 54 days out of the year. Essential care metrics indicate that 88.5% of residents required assistance with toileting and transferring, rather than maintaining independence. The facility’s resident demographic remained consistent, with 59.6% requiring dementia care.

Recent Improvements and Changes

In response to mounting challenges, the facility implemented several changes. Essentially, the center maintained weekend staffing rated above average for consistency. The facility achieved 93.9% compliance in annual influenza vaccination rates, matching the Michigan state average. Despite these improvements, the center received 47 total deficiencies and faced multiple monetary penalties totaling USD 322,464.

Areas Needing Enhancement

Critical areas requiring immediate attention include:

• Infection prevention protocols, with 4 infection-related deficiencies documented
• Pressure ulcer care and prevention systems
• Emergency response procedures, as 19.3% of short-term residents required ER visits
• Staffing stability, with hours consistently below the recommended 4.1 hours per resident daily

The facility’s designation as a Special Focus Facility underscores these challenges, with state surveyors documenting 40 separate instances of actual harm to residents. Consequently, the center faces increased oversight and mandatory improvements to maintain Medicare and Medicaid certification.

Conclusion

Ashley Healthcare Center’s performance metrics paint a troubling picture of resident care quality. Though the facility’s $5,051 monthly cost falls below Michigan averages, significant concerns overshadow this cost advantage. Most notably, the 40 documented instances of actual harm to residents, combined with 47 total deficiencies, reflect serious operational challenges.

Staffing levels remain particularly concerning, as the center provides just 2.74 hours of daily care per resident – substantially below the recommended 4.1 hours. The facility’s designation as a Special Focus Facility, alongside $284,136 in fines, certainly raises red flags about its ability to maintain adequate care standards.

Looking at the overall evidence, potential residents and their families should carefully weigh these factors when considering long-term care options. The facility’s consistent underperformance in key quality metrics, especially regarding infection control and resident safety, suggests fundamental issues that require immediate attention. While some improvements appear in areas like vaccination compliance, the persistent pattern of deficiencies and safety violations indicates deeper structural problems that continue to affect resident care quality.

FAQs

Q1. What is the overall quality rating of Ashley Healthcare Center? Ashley Healthcare Center has a 1-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which is significantly below the Michigan state average of 3.47 stars. This low rating reflects concerns about the facility’s quality of care and performance.

Q2. How does the staffing level at Ashley Healthcare Center compare to recommended standards? The staffing levels at Ashley Healthcare Center are below recommended standards. The facility provides approximately 2.74 hours of daily care per resident, which is well below the recommended 4.1 hours of care per day.

Q3. Has Ashley Healthcare Center faced any regulatory actions or fines? Yes, Ashley Healthcare Center has faced regulatory actions and fines. The facility has received 30 fines totaling $284,136 and has been designated as a Special Focus Facility due to persistent quality issues.

Q4. What rehabilitation services does Ashley Healthcare Center offer? Ashley Healthcare Center offers a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. However, the facility has received a “Below Average” rating for short-term rehabilitation outcomes.

Q5. Are there any positive aspects of care at Ashley Healthcare Center? While there are significant concerns, Ashley Healthcare Center does maintain a 93.9% compliance rate with annual flu vaccination protocols, demonstrating attention to preventive health measures. Additionally, the facility offers specialized services such as wound care, IV therapy, and feeding tube management.