Northwest Healthcare Center
4601 Pall Mall Road, Baltimore, MD 21215 · Baltimore City County · (410) 664-5551
91 certified beds, about 83 residents a day · For profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 2004
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 215346 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on January 23, 2026, inspectors cited 7 health deficiencies (the Maryland average is 17, the national average 9.2).
None of its 30 health citations since June 2019 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 3.39 hours per resident per day, against 3.87 across Maryland and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.65 of those hours.
32.9% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Maryland average 40.2%).
CMS links it to Communicare Health, an affiliated group of 110 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.
806/19
1308/24
701/26
206/26
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 30 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
26D
2E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
1C
June 17, 2026Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of facility reported incident #3013380, medical record review, and staff interview, it was determined the facility staff failed to ensure Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments were accurately coded. This was evident for 3 (#4, #17, #18) of 18 residents reviewed during a complaint survey.
- D Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Inspectors wroteBased on complaint, medical record review, and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to have a care plan meeting after an MDS assessment. This was evident for 1 (Resident #6) out of 18 residents reviewed during a complaint survey.
January 23, 2026Standard inspection · 7 citations
- D Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Inspectors wroteBased on review of Medicare beneficiaries who were discharged from skilled therapy and nursing services and interviews with staff, it was determined that the facility staff failed to provide Medicare beneficiaries with a written Notice of Medicare Non-Coverage. This was evident for 1 (Resident #26) of 3 residents selected during the Beneficiary Protection Reviews.
- D 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews and review of records, it was determined that the facility failed to provide a home-like environment for the residents. This was evident for 1 (room [ROOM NUMBER]) out of 3 rooms observed during the annual survey.
- D Not require residents to give up Medicare or Medicaid benefits, or pay privately as a condition of admission; and must tell residents what care they do not provide.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews, it was determined that the facility staff failed to obtain a signed admission agreement from an individual upon admission. This was evident for 1 (Resident #12) of 1 residents reviewed during the annual survey.
- D Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews, observations and review of records, it was determined that the facility failed to 1) provide dental services following a physician's referral and 2) provide routine dental services. This was evident for 3 (Resident #8, Resident #12 and Resident #47) of 5 residents reviewed for dental services during the annual survey.
- D 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 it was determined that the facility failed to ensure food items were stored to maintain the integrity of the specific items. This was evident for the initial observation of the kitchen upon facility entry. This failure has the potential to affect a few residents.
- D Employ or obtain outside professional resources to provide services in the nursing home when the facility does not employ a qualified professional to furnish a required service.
Inspectors wroteBased on interviews and record reviews, it was determined that the facility failed to follow up on a physician order to obtain a radiology test and schedule a urology appointment. This was evident for 1 (Resident #47) out of 3 residents reviewed for use of outside resources during the annual survey.
- D Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
Inspectors wroteBased on record reviews and interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure all direct care staff received dementia management training, resident abuse prevention training, and 12 hours of training. This was evident for 2 (Staff #7 and #14) out of 5 staff reviewed for staff training.
August 26, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 13 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, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure food was properly stored, prepared, distributed, and served in accordance with professional standards for food service safety as required for 83 census residents who received meals from the facility kitchen. These failures had the potential to lead to food-borne illness among all facility residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure residents either had an advanced directive in place or failed to provide the residents and/or their representatives written information of the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment and/or formulate an advance directive for two residents (Resident (R) 61 and R55) of nine reviewed for Advanced Directives.
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, administrative record review, and staff interview, the facility failed to protect the resident's right to be free from verbal, mental, and physical abuse (R70, R48, R73 #914). These failures affected 4 of 61 residents reviewed for abuse.
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure an injury of unknown origin for 4 of 58 (R8, R35, #20 and #14) reviewed was reported to the state agency and in a timely manner. Specifically, the facility failed to ensure an initial incident report was submitted to the state survey agency within two hours as well as failed to submit the 5- day report following the investigation. This deficient practice had the potential to affect other residents at the facility that had unidentified pain, an injury of unknown origin, unwitnessed fall, or allegations of abuse.
- D Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and staff interview it was determined the facility staff failed to thoroughly investigate allegations of abuse. This was evident for 5 (R48, #901,#20, #14, and #913) of 75 residents reviewed during the survey.
- D Prepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview it was determined the facility staff failed to ensure residents were prepared and oriented to ensure safe and orderly transfer from the facility. This was evident for 1 (#22) of 50 resident's reviewed during the survey.
- D Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview it was determined the facility staff failed to notify a resident representative of a resident-to-resident assault. This was evident for 1 (#20) of 50 residents reviewed.
- 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 record review and interview it was determined the facility staff failed to provide written discharge/transfer notice to the resident and their representative. This was evident for 2 (#22 and #915) of 50 resident's reviewed during the survey.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to provide a comprehensive care plan for a resident (resident #902) with a history of substance use disorder. This was found to be true for 1 of 50 residents reviewed during a annual survey.
- D Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview with staff it was determined that the facility staff failed to review and revise resident care plans after each assessment or as resident care needs became apparent or changed over time. This was evident for 3 (#911, #51 and #14) of 50 residents reviewed during the survey. The MDS (Minimum Data Set) is a complete assessment of the resident which provides the facility information necessary to develop a plan of care, provide the appropriate care and services to the resident, and to modify the care plan based on the resident's status. A care plan is a guide that addresses the unique needs of each resident. It is used to plan, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the resident's care.
- D Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review and interview with staff it was determined the facility staff failed to develop and implement an effective discharge planning process which addressed each resident's discharge goals and needs and involved the resident and the interdisciplinary team in development, implementation and ongoing evaluation. This was evident for 1 (#51) of 50 residents reviewed during the survey. Maryland's Medicaid waiver program, also known as the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Waivers, provides vouchers to help Maryland residents pay for long-term care services. These services can help people live in their homes, with loved ones, in adult foster care, or in assisted living facilities instead of nursing homes. A care plan is a guide that addresses the unique needs of each resident. It is used to plan, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of the resident's care.
- D Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to place a provider discharge summary on a resident's (resident #911 and #913) medical record after discharge. This was evident for 2 of 50 residents reviewed in an annual survey.
- D Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review and interview it was determined the facility staff failed to maintain complete and accurate medical records by 1) failing to ensure X-Ray reports were filed in the medical record, 2) failing to document an assault by another resident in the resident's record. This was evident for 1 (#20) of 50 residents reviewed during the survey, and 3) failed to have a system in place to ensure investigative records were secured and free from being lost or misplaced. This was found to be evident for 1 facility investigation out of 30 facility reported incidents reviewed for investigative record documentation during an annual recertification survey. A medical record is the official documentation for a healthcare organization. As such, it must be maintained in a complete manner, readily accessible, systematically organized, and accurately documented. [...]
June 26, 2019Standard inspection · 8 citations
- E 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on surveyor observation and resident interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to provide a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment. This deficient practice has the potential to affect all residents.
- E 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and staff interview it was determined that the facility failed to ensure medication carts were kept secure, and medications thoroughly labeled with residents' name, and dated when the medication was open. This was evident during 1 of 2 medication administration reviews and for 2 of 4 medication carts observed during the annual survey process.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, interview and observation, it was determined the facility staff failed to promote care for residents in an environment that maintains or enhances each resident's dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her individuality by labeling residents as feeders on posted staffing boards. This occurred on 1 of 3 nursing units' staffing boards.
- D Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Inspectors wroteBased on a review of the facility's Beneficiary Protection Notifications and staff interview it was determined that the facility staff failed to ensure residents received a notification of an end to Medicare part A coverage (#50). This was evident for 1 out of the 3 residents reviewed for the survey's Beneficiary Protection Notification Review.
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on facility investigation, medical record review, and facility staff and resident interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to prevent an incident of verbal abuse. This was evident for 1 of 1 residents (Resident #72) reviewed for verbal abuse during annual survey.
- D Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors wroteBased on a review of the clinical records and staff interview it was determined that the facility staff failed to document the administered of pain medication and monitor the effectiveness. This was true for 1 out of the 31 residents (Resident #52) reviewed for pain management during the annual recertification survey.
- D Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation of the facility's kitchen, it was determined that food service employees failed to ensure that sanitary practices were followed, and equipment was maintained in order to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. This deficient practice has the potential to affect all residents.
- C Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.
Inspectors wroteBased on surveyor observation, it was determined that the facility failed to have adequate ventilation to ensure good air circulation. This was evident for both floors of the facility affecting all residents, staff and visitors.
Fire safety inspections
24 fire safety citations on file: 9 on January 23, 2026, 12 on August 26, 2024, 3 on June 26, 2019.
Every fire safety citation24 citations
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- F To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- E Construct fire resistant interior walls.
- E Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- F Meet other general requirements.
- F 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.
- F Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- D Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
- D Construct fire resistant interior walls.
- D Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- D Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- E Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- D Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
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 | Maryland | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.39 | 3.87 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.65 | 0.84 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.92 | 3.47 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.91 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.83 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 32.9% | 40.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 46.7% | 38.7% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 2.88 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 3.58 on weekdays and 2.92 on weekends, 18% 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 3.29 in April to June 2025 to 3.39 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 | 3.39 | 0.65 | 3.58 | 2.92 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 83 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.40 | 0.67 | 3.57 | 2.97 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 82 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.49 | 0.62 | 3.68 | 3.00 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 83 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.29 | 0.66 | 3.44 | 2.91 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 85 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Maryland, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.73 | 0.74 | 3.88 | 3.34 | 8.0% | 0.1% 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 | Maryland | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.5 | 20.4 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.5 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.6 | 2.4 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.1 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 10.0 | 22.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.2 | 5.9 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 28.2 | 13.8 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 15.8 | 21.0 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 24.7 | 9.8 | 12.0 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: Legal Business Name Not Available. CMS links this home to Communicare Health, a group of 110 nursing homes averaging 3.2 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 10 problems in this area, most recently on January 23, 2026: "Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 7 problems in this area, most recently on June 17, 2026: "Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment."
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on August 26, 2024: "Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody."
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on January 23, 2026: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.92 hours per resident per day, below the Maryland average of 3.47.
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Blue Point Healthcare Center Baltimore, 0.7 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 80 citations
- Levindale Hebrew Ger Ctr & Hsp Baltimore, 0.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 69 citations
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Arlington West Baltimore, 1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 48 citations
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Alice Manor Baltimore, 1 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 55 citations
- Roland Park Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center Baltimore, 1.3 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 56 citations
- Autumn Lake Healthcare at Bridgepark Baltimore, 1.5 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 71 citations
- Keswick Multi-Care Center Baltimore, 2 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 58 citations
- Lochearn Nursing Home, LLC Baltimore, 2.4 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 30 citations
Maryland contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Maryland. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Maryland Department of Health, Office of Health Care Quality, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Maryland Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, Maryland Department of Aging, 800-243-3425. 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: Maryland Health Care Commission, Maryland Quality Reporting, Nursing Homes, where Maryland publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Northwest Healthcare Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Northwest Healthcare Center 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Northwest Healthcare Center get at its last inspection?
- 7 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on January 23, 2026. The Maryland average is 17.
- Has Northwest Healthcare Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Northwest Healthcare 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 Northwest Healthcare Center?
- CMS lists 1 owner or manager, and links the home to Communicare Health. 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.