Union County Nursing Home
164 Nursing Home Circle, Blairsville, GA 30512 · Union County · (706) 745-4948
150 certified beds, about 110 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 2005
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
2 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 115695 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on October 2, 2025, inspectors cited 3 health deficiencies (the Georgia average is 5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 14 health citations since January 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 3.54 hours per resident per day, against 3.56 across Georgia and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.52 of those hours.
37.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Georgia average 46.0%).
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.
501/23
607/24
310/25
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 14 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
2E
4F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
October 2, 2025Standard inspection · 3 citations
- 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 observations, staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility's policy titled, Comprehensive Care Plan Meetings, the facility failed to implement the comprehensive care plan for one of 34 residents (R) (R82). The deficient practice had the potential to prevent R82 from receiving services according to their care needs.
- D Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility's policy titled, Administration of Medications, the facility failed to ensure one of four residents (R) (R82) bilateral hearing aids were applied as ordered by the physician. The deficient practice had the potential to reduce R82 quality of life by increasing the probability of impaired communication.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility's policies, titled Cleaning and Disinfection of Resident-Care Items and Equipment and Enhanced Barrier Precautions, the facility failed to ensure infection control practices were followed for four of 15 residents (R) (R7, R9, R75 and R83). Specifically, the facility failed to maintain Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP) when administering medications via gastrostomy tube for R9, and providing urinary catheter care for R7, the facility also failed to ensure shared medical equipment was sanitized between R75 and R83 during medication administration.
July 1, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 6 citations
- F Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, and review of the facility-provided document titled Texture Modification Inservice, the facility failed to ensure a puree recipe was followed to conserve the nutrient value of puree country-fried steak for six of six residents receiving a pureed diet. This deficient practice had the potential to cause residents receiving a pureed diet to have a decreased nutritional intake and a potential for weight loss.
- F Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, and review of the facility's policy titled Receiving, the facility failed to appropriately label and date food items stored in the kitchen's walk-in freezer. The deficient practice(s) had the potential to place 96 residents who received an oral diet from the kitchen at risk of contracting a foodborne illness. The facility census was 101.
- E Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, and review of the facility policy titled, Storage of Medication, the facility failed to properly maintain, and store three of six medication cart as evidenced by missing end of shift controlled medication count signatures.
- 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 wroteBased on staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility policies titled, Antipsychotic Drug Use and PRN Medication, the facility failed to make recommendations to include stop dates for psychoactive medications lorazepam, used to treat anxiety, and trazodone, used to treat insomnia, which were prescribed as needed (PRN) for two of five sampled residents (R18 and R64). The deficiency had the potential to adversely affect the severity of the diagnoses for which they were prescribed.
- D Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, family and staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility policy titled, Mouth Care, the facility failed to provide denture care for two of 42 sampled residents (R) (R26 and R78). The deficient practice had the potential to cause mouth pain and discomfort, that could lead to decreased oral intake of nutrition and hydration for R26 and R78.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, record review, and review of facility policies titled Hand Hygiene, Perineal Care, and Administering IV Medications, the facility failed to use proper hand hygiene during perineal and catheter care for one resident (R) (R75), failed to properly close the door to a transmission-based precautions (TBP) room for one resident (R257), and to properly disinfect a needleless connector on a percutaneous intravenous central catheter (PICC) line after flushing and before connecting the intravenous antibiotic for one resident (R258). The deficient practices had the potential to place the residents at risk for serious infections. The sample size was 42 residents.
January 12, 2023Standard inspection · 5 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, interviews, and review of policies titled Receiving, Food Storage: Dry Goods, and Food Storage: Cold Foods, the facility failed to ensure opened food items in the dry storage area were labeled and dated; failed to discard expired food items in the walk-in freezer, two reach in freezers and two of two resident pantries. This deficiency had the potential to affect 90 of 91 residents receiving an oral diet.
- F Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that essential equipment in the kitchen was in working order as evidenced by ice buildup inside the walk-in freezer on an air flow vent above the doorway, ice formation down the interior door frame, and across the floor. This deficiency had the potential to affect 90 of 91 residents receiving an oral diet.
- 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, staff interviews, and review of the facility policy titled Bathrooms, the facility failed to maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment related to dust build up on bathroom air vents on one of six resident halls, rooms 201 through 217.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review, interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure the environment was free from potential accident hazards by not ensuring that medications, biologicals, or other potentially harmful material was not left within the reach of one resident (R) (R#94). The sample size was 32.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review, interviews, and review of facility policies, the facility failed to clean and ensure proper storage continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask in a manner to prevent cross contamination for one of three residents (R) R#85, receiving CPAP administration. The census was 91.
Fire safety inspections
2 fire safety citations on file: 2 on January 12, 2023.
Every fire safety citation2 citations
- D Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
- D Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
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 | Georgia | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.54 | 3.56 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.52 | 0.50 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.51 | 3.10 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.92 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 1.10 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 37.3% | 46.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 31.3% | 44.5% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 3.52 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 3.95 on weekdays and 2.51 on weekends, 36% 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 3.60 in April to June 2025 to 3.54 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 | 3.54 | 0.52 | 3.95 | 2.51 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 110 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.41 | 0.53 | 3.72 | 2.62 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 107 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.44 | 0.57 | 3.73 | 2.72 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 109 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.60 | 0.54 | 3.94 | 2.73 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 104 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Georgia, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.50 | 0.46 | 3.68 | 3.03 | 3.3% | 0.6% 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 | Georgia | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 21.0 | 15.3 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 0.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.9 | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.3 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 17.0 | 15.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.1 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 20.0 | 19.9 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 20.1 | 25.0 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 19.6 | 11.6 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.6 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.2 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: UNION COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bierschenk, Kevin | Corporate director | Individual | 02/25/2019 | |
| Davenport, Rick | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2019 | |
| Gary, Thomas | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2019 | |
| Owenby, Greg | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2019 | |
| Paris, Dinah | Corporate director | Individual | 05/18/2010 | |
| Rowe, Steven | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2015 | |
| Townsend, Nicholas | Corporate director | Individual | 04/15/2016 | |
| Gay, Michael | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/01/2016 | |
| Burnette, Christal | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Self, Debra | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 06/10/2016 | |
| Townsend, Nicholas | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/15/2016 | |
| Bierschenk, Kevin | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 02/25/2019 | |
| Self, Debra | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 06/10/2016 | |
| Townsend, Nicholas | Trustee of the SNF | Individual | 04/15/2016 | |
| Bierschenk, Kevin | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/25/2019 | |
| Burnette, Christal | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2021 | |
| Gay, Michael | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 06/01/2016 | |
| Sanders, Alan | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/21/2025 | |
| Self, Debra | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 06/10/2016 | |
| Townsend, Nicholas | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/15/2016 |
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 you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on October 2, 2025: "Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on October 2, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- 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 July 1, 2024: "Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on July 1, 2024: "Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.51 hours per resident per day, below the Georgia average of 3.10.
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Chatuge Regional Nursing Home Hiawassee, 12.7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 33 citations
- Clay County Health and Rehabilitation Hayesville, 13.9 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 17 citations
- Murphy Rehabilitation & Nursing Murphy, 15.7 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 12 citations
- Friendship Health and Rehab Cleveland, 19.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 4 citations
- Pruitthealth - Blue Ridge Blue Ridge, 20.6 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Valley View Care and Rehabilitation Andrews, 22.6 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 31 citations
- Diversicare of Copper Basin Copperhill, 24.4 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 14 citations
- Gold City Health and Rehab Dahlonega, 24.5 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 23 citations
Georgia contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Georgia. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation Division, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Georgia Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 1-866-552-4464. 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: GaMap2Care, Find a Facility, where Georgia publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Union County Nursing Home's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Union County Nursing Home 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 2 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Union County Nursing Home get at its last inspection?
- 3 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on October 2, 2025. The Georgia average is 5.
- Has Union County Nursing Home been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Union County Nursing Home 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 Union County Nursing Home?
- CMS lists 20 owners and managers. Legal business name: UNION COUNTY HOSPITAL AUTHORITY.
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.