Home / North Carolina / Highlands
Eckerd Living Center
250 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741 · Macon County · (828) 526-1315
80 certified beds, about 45 residents a day · For profit - Partnership · Medicare and Medicaid since 1993
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 345437 · 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 4 health deficiencies (the North Carolina average is 4.7, the national average 9.2).
None of its 7 health citations since September 2023 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 4.35 hours per resident per day, against 3.85 across North Carolina and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.16 of those hours.
36.7% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (North Carolina average 49.0%).
CMS links it to Hca Healthcare, an affiliated group of 3 nursing homes.
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.
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 7 health citations on file.
April 10, 2026Standard inspection · 4 citations
- D Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to obtain consent and inform the resident or Responsible Party in advance of the risks and benefits of psychotropic medications prior to initiation for 3 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications (Residents #36, #24, and #6). Findings Included: 1. Resident #36 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with cumulative diagnoses that included unspecified dementia, anxiety disorder, depression and delusional disorder. A physician order dated 08/16/25 read quetiapine (anti-psychotic medication) 25 milligram (mg) tablet 1 tablet three times per day for anxiety and agitation. A physician order dated 12/10/25 read divalproex (anti-convulsant medication used for mood stabilization) 125 mg capsule 1 capsule three times per day for dementia with aggression and agitation. The order had a stop date of 04/09/26. [...]
- D Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to complete a discharge summary that included a recapitulation of the resident's stay for 1 of 1 sampled resident reviewed for discharge (Resident #47).
- D PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to submit a request for a Level II PASRR (Preadmission Screening and Resident Review) evaluation for a resident with a serious mental health diagnosis for 1 of 2 residents reviewed for PASRR (Resident #3).
- D Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure a resident was seen by the physician within 30 days from admission for 1 of 1 sampled resident (Resident #2).
February 19, 2025Standard inspection · 2 citations
- F Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure dishware was air dried prior to stacking for use and free from dried debris. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure the double oven and stove were free of food and grease debris, the floors were free from built-up dark debris, and the high temperature dish-machine reached the manufacturer's recommended temperatures for dish sanitation. The facility failed to utilize the 3-compartment sink according to manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of time dishware was required to soak in the chemical solution for sanitizing dishware and the facility also failed to remove expired food stored for use, date leftover foods and ensure foods were sealed in 1 of 1 walk-in cooler and 1 of 1 walk-in freezer. These practices had the potential to affect food served to residents.
- E Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and staff interview the facility failed to contain trash when the dumpster doors were not closed and failed to keep the area around the trash compactor free from accumulated trash and debris for 2 of 2 dumpsters observed and 1 of 1 trash compactor observed.
September 28, 2023Standard inspection · 1 citation
- F Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interview, the facility failed to submit the Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) for the 3rd quarter in the fiscal year (FY) 2023.
Fire safety inspections
12 fire safety citations on file: 7 on April 10, 2026, 3 on February 19, 2025, 2 on September 28, 2023.
Every fire safety citation12 citations
- 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 Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- D Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- D Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- D Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- D Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- D Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
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 | North Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 4.35 | 3.85 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.16 | 0.62 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.46 | 3.42 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.47 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.72 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 36.7% | 49.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 0.0% | 45.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.27 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 4.71 on weekdays and 3.46 on weekends, 27% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.86 in April to June 2025 to 4.35 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 | 4.35 | 1.16 | 4.71 | 3.46 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 45 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.48 | 1.10 | 4.78 | 3.71 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 45 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.05 | 1.12 | 4.33 | 3.33 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 47 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.86 | 1.08 | 4.17 | 3.08 | 1.8% | 0 of 91 | 48 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| North Carolina, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.65 | 0.53 | 3.82 | 3.25 | 8.0% | 0.7% 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 | North Carolina | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.8 | 15.6 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.3 | 0.7 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.7 | 2.3 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.3 | 3.5 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.0 | 1.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 22.8 | 18.3 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 9.3 | 5.5 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 21.2 | 14.0 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 19.7 | 22.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 6.5 | 12.9 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.7 | 1.8 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.0 | 1.8 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: Legal Business Name Not Available. CMS links this home to Hca Healthcare, a group of 3 nursing homes averaging 5 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership data not available |
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.
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on April 10, 2026: "Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments."
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on February 19, 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 1 problem in this area, most recently on April 10, 2026: "PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities"
- How many nurses and aides work each shift, nights and weekends included?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on April 10, 2026: "Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Macon Valley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Franklin, 15.1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 14 citations
- Mountain View Health Care Clayton, 18.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 30 citations
- Skyland Care Center Sylva, 20.1 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 10 citations
- Vero Health & Rehab of Sylva Sylva, 20.2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 53 citations
North Carolina contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in North Carolina. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: NC Division of Health Service Regulation, Nursing Home Licensure and Certification Section, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: North Carolina Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: NC DHSR Regulated Facilities search (Statements of Deficiencies), where North Carolina publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Eckerd Living Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Eckerd Living Center 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 3 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Eckerd Living Center get at its last inspection?
- 4 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on April 10, 2026. The North Carolina average is 4.7.
- Has Eckerd Living Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Eckerd Living Center 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 Eckerd Living Center?
- CMS lists 1 owner or manager, and links the home to Hca Healthcare. Legal business name: Legal Business Name Not Available.
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.