Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson
555 East Ajo Way, Tucson, AZ 85713 · Pima County · (520) 638-2150
120 certified beds, about 117 residents a day · Government - State · Medicare and Medicaid since 2012
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
3 of 5
Health inspections
3 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 035284 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on April 10, 2026, inspectors cited 3 health deficiencies (the Arizona average is 6.4, the national average 9.2).
None of its 15 health citations since September 2022 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 5.05 hours per resident per day, against 3.98 across Arizona and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.70 of those hours.
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
609/22
301/24
111/25
212/25
304/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 15 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
8D
6E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
April 10, 2026Standard inspection · 3 citations
- F Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
Inspectors wroteBased on staff interviews, facility documentation, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that staffing information (Payroll-Based Journal, PBJ) submitted to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) was accurate and submitted in a timely manner. The universe was 23. This deficient practice could have resulted in residents receiving inadequate care due to a potential lack of staffing.
- D Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, interviews, and review of the facility's policies and procedures, the facility failed to coordinate/implement PASRR findings by failing to ensure one resident (#8) out of three residents sampled was appropriately screened and referred for a Level II PASSR (Pre-admission Screening and Record Review) evaluation upon identification of a serious mental illness, in accordance with PASSR requirements. The universe was 23. The deficient practice has the potential to result in failure to identify and provide necessary specialized services.
- D PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, interviews, and review of the facility's policies and procedures, the facility failed to ensure one resident (#8) out of three residents sampled was appropriately screened and referred for a Level II PASSR (Pre-admission Screening and Record Review) evaluation upon identification of a serious mental illness, in accordance with PASSR requirements. The universe was 23. The deficient practice has the potential to result in failure to identify and provide necessary specialized services.
December 29, 2025Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, interviews, and review of the facility's policies and procedures, the facility failed to ensure one resident (#1) was free from verbal abuse from visitors. The deficient practice could lead to physical and psychosocial harm to residents.
- D Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record reviews, facility documentation, resident, family, and staff interviews, and review of the facility's policies and procedures, the facility failed to protect rights of one resident (resident #10) to be free from misappropriation from staff. The deficient practice could result in further incidents of staff to resident financial abuse.
November 13, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and review of facility policy and procedure, the facility failed to ensure three of three sampled ice machines were cleaned and maintained as needed for sanitary food service. The deficient practice could lead to the spread of foodborne illness for residents.
January 5, 2024Standard inspection · 3 citations
- E Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Inspectors wrote1) Based on clinical record review, staff interviews and facility policy, the facility failed to ensure that medication side effects were monitored and documented for 2 residents (#84, #60)
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to maintain a clean and sanitary kitchen and properly store food products. The deficient practice could result in a potential for food borne illness. The resident census was 96.
- D Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews and record review, the facility failed to provide documentation of transfer notification for one resident. This had the potential for Residents and/or their representative to be unaware of their rights. Resident #6 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included Calculus of the Kidney, hypertension, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Mood disorder, and obesity. Review of resident #6's Electronic Health Record (EHR) indicated the resident was hospitalized on [DATE], September 20, 2023, November 13, 2023, and December 21, 2023. There was no evidence of a transfer notice being provided to the resident and/or their representative. Review of the discharge Minimum Data Set (MDS), dated [DATE] revealed the resident was not assessed for a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS). [...]
September 30, 2022Standard inspection · 6 citations
- E Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Inspectors wroteBased on resident and staff interviews, a food test tray, facility documents, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure residents consistently received food that was palatable. The deficient practice has the potential for residents who disliked a meal to experience nutritional problems or dissatisfaction with their meals.
- E Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Inspectors wroteBased on resident and staff interviews, and grievances, the facility failed to ensure residents received food that accommodated the residents' preferences. The deficient practice could result in complications related to residents not eating and/or being disinterested in dining.
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure food items were labeled and dated, food items were not expired or moldy, and stored kitchenware was clean and dry. The deficient practice could increase the risk of foodborne illness.
- D 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, observations, resident and staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure one resident (#56) who was admitted with limited ROM (Range of Motion) was provided treatment and services to prevent further decrease in ROM/mobility. The sample size was 2. The deficient practice could result in residents experiencing decrease in ROM and functioning.
- D Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interviews, and review of facility policy and procedure, the facility failed to ensure dental needs were met for one sampled resident (#24). The deficient practice could result in residents not receiving care and services for oral/dental conditions.
- D Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure an advanced directive was accurately documented for one sampled resident (#18). The deficient practice could result in residents receiving services which are not in accordance with their wishes.
Fire safety inspections
4 fire safety citations on file: 1 on April 10, 2026, 3 on January 5, 2024.
Every fire safety citation4 citations
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- D Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
- D Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Arizona | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 5.05 | 3.98 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.70 | 0.70 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 4.63 | 3.51 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 3.09 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 1.25 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | not reported | 45.1% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | not reported | 43.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | not reported |
CMS expects 3.00 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 5.22 on weekdays and 4.63 on weekends, 11% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 29.9% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 5.08 in April to June 2025 to 5.05 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 5.05 | 0.70 | 5.22 | 4.63 | 29.9% | 0 of 90 | 117 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 5.27 | 0.75 | 5.45 | 4.80 | 30.9% | 0 of 92 | 116 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 5.08 | 0.72 | 5.26 | 4.63 | 26.3% | 0 of 91 | 118 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Arizona, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.87 | 0.63 | 4.05 | 3.43 | 3.3% | 0.5% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Arizona | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 20.9 | 10.7 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.2 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 19.6 | 12.8 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 7.7 | 4.4 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 17.8 | 10.7 | 15.4 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona Department of Veterans Services | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 01/31/2011 | |
| Coady, Maureen | W-2 managing employee | Individual | 10/31/2011 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 5 problems in this area, most recently on November 13, 2025: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on April 10, 2026: "Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed."
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on December 29, 2025: "Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody."
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on September 30, 2022: "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."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Sandstone of Tucson Rehab Centre Tucson, 1.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 65 citations
- Park Avenue Health and Rehabilitation Center Tucson, 4.7 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 23 citations
- Catalina Post Acute and Rehabilitation Tucson, 5.3 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 23 citations
- Santa Rosa Care Center Tucson, 6.1 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 27 citations
- Villa Maria Post Acute and Rehabilitation Tucson, 6.1 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 26 citations
- Handmaker Home for the Aging Tucson, 6.7 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 43 citations
- Foothills Rehabilitation Center Tucson, 6.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Pueblo Springs Rehabilitation Center Tucson, 6.9 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 21 citations
Arizona contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Arizona. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Arizona Department of Health Services, Long Term Care Facilities Licensing, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- State inspection reports: AZ Care Check, where Arizona publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson get at its last inspection?
- 3 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on April 10, 2026. The Arizona average is 6.4.
- Has Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Arizona State Veteran Home-Tucson?
- CMS lists 2 owners and managers. Legal business name: ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS SERVICES.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.