Waycross Health and Rehabilitation
1910 Dorothy Street, Waycross, GA 31501 · Ware County · (912) 285-4721
92 certified beds, about 71 residents a day · Non profit - Other · Medicare and Medicaid since 1996
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 115605 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on May 21, 2026, inspectors cited 0 health deficiencies (the Georgia average is 5, the national average 9.2).
Of 7 health citations since December 2022, 1 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.49 hours per resident per day, against 3.56 across Georgia and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.74 of those hours.
47.8% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Georgia average 46.0%).
CMS links it to Ethica Health, an affiliated group of 50 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.
May 21, 2026Standard inspection · 0 citations
March 20, 2025Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, resident and staff interviews, record review, and review of the facility's policy titled Pharmacy Services: Bedside Storage of Medication, the facility failed to assess one of 29 sampled residents (R) (R48) for the ability to self-administer medications prior to leaving medications at the bedside. This deficient practice had the potential to place R48 at risk of unsafe medication use.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, and review of the facility's policy titled Wound Care, the facility failed to ensure staff followed infection control processes during wound care for one of 10 residents (R) (R38) reviewed for wound care. This deficient practice had the potential to place R38 at risk of infection due to cross-contamination.
December 18, 2022Standard inspection · 5 citations
- G Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, interviews, and review of the facility policies, the facility failed to ensure soup was served at a safe temperature for one resident (R) (R#45) of 26 sampled residents. Actual harm occurred when R#45 sustained second degree burns to the left forearm and left side on 11/26/22.
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations and interviews the facility failed to maintain sanitary and clean conditions related to cross contamination on one of three hallways (B Hall) and in the laundry room. The facility census was 54 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 record review, staff interviews, and review of policy Advanced Directives, the facility failed to obtain a Physician's signature for a Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) for Allow Natural Death (AND)/Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) consents for one of 26 residents reviewed, Resident (R) (R#44).
- 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 interviews, the facility failed to follow the care plan for one of five residents ((R) R#44) reviewed related to administering medications as ordered.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, interviews, and review of the facility policy titled Pharmacy Services Medication Administration General, the facility failed to follow Physician's Orders related to a blood pressure medication for one of five residents ((R) R#44) reviewed for unnecessary medication.
Fire safety inspections
8 fire safety citations on file: 3 on May 21, 2026, 1 on March 20, 2025, 4 on December 18, 2022.
Every fire safety citation8 citations
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- D Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- 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.
- D Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
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) | 3.49 | 3.56 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.74 | 0.50 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.08 | 3.10 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.43 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.33 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 47.8% | 46.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 28.6% | 44.5% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 3.64 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 3.66 on weekdays and 3.08 on weekends, 16% 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 3.68 in April to June 2025 to 3.49 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 | 3.49 | 0.74 | 3.66 | 3.08 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 71 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.32 | 0.82 | 3.44 | 3.04 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 66 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.67 | 0.86 | 3.81 | 3.30 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 64 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.68 | 0.71 | 3.83 | 3.30 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 64 |
| 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 | 10.6 | 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 | 1.7 | 2.5 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.2 | 3.2 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 11.2 | 15.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.0 | 5.6 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 21.8 | 19.9 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 28.1 | 25.0 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 14.1 | 11.6 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 4.1 | 2.1 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 3.4 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: WARE COUNTY HEALTH CARE LLC. CMS links this home to Ethica Health, a group of 50 nursing homes averaging 3.5 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health Systems Facilities Inc | Direct ownership interest | Organization | 10/01/2003 | |
| Community Health Systems Inc | Indirect ownership interest | Organization | 10/01/2003 | |
| Cable, Paul | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/14/2003 | |
| Dennis, Kathryn | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 11/17/2015 | |
| Hill, Stacey | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Nichols, Joseph | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 11/19/2024 | |
| Rollins, Ronnie | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/14/2003 | |
| Wall, Joseph | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 03/14/2003 | |
| Warnock, Ralph | Managing control - governing body | Individual | 06/23/2020 | |
| Clinical Services Inc | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 09/30/2003 | |
| Hill, Stacey | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2026 | |
| Hughes, Shelley | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/06/2026 | |
| Keller, Rose | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/08/2026 | |
| Sheffield, Kimberly | Individual is an owner, partner or trustee of any ADP of the SNF | Individual | 07/15/2025 | |
| Clinical Services Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/14/2025 | |
| Hughes, Shelley | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/16/2026 | |
| Warnock, Ralph | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/15/2026 |
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 March 20, 2025: "Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on March 20, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- 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 December 18, 2022: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on December 18, 2022: "Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.08 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
- Harborview Satilla Waycross, 0.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 23 citations
- Baptist Village, Inc. Waycross, 3.1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- Bayview Nursing Home Nahunta, 21.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 2 citations
- Twin Oaks Convalescent Center Alma, 22 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 2 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 Waycross Health and Rehabilitation's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Waycross Health and Rehabilitation 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 5 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 2 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Waycross Health and Rehabilitation get at its last inspection?
- 0 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on May 21, 2026. The Georgia average is 5.
- Has Waycross Health and Rehabilitation been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Waycross Health and Rehabilitation 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 Waycross Health and Rehabilitation?
- CMS lists 17 owners and managers, and links the home to Ethica Health. Legal business name: WARE COUNTY HEALTH CARE LLC.
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.