Deer's Head Center
351 Deer's Head Hospital Road · Salisbury, MD · 21801 · 4105434000
80 certified beds Government - State
Why this verdict
- Carries CMS’s abuse warning icon.
- Staffing hours comfortably above national benchmarks.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
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Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
CMS abuse warning
CMS flags this facility with its abuse icon: cited for abuse that caused harm in the past year, or potential harm in the past two years.
1 abuse-related citation at the actual-harm level
Inspectors cited failures in the abuse-prevention rules (F600–F610) that resulted in actual harm to a resident.
If someone you love was harmed at a facility with findings like these, you have options — read this.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 3 of 5 Inspections: 2 of 5 Staffing: 5 of 5 Quality measures: 3 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 9.47 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 4.99 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 7.59 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 32% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 1 · $41,265 |
Inspection citations (19 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D December 16, 2025
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.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D December 16, 2025
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D December 16, 2025
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D December 16, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D December 16, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D December 16, 2025
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Environmental
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No harm found · B December 16, 2025
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Corrected February 12, 2026 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Actual harm · G July 12, 2024 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024 · found via complaint
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024
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.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D July 12, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected September 10, 2024 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D September 5, 2019
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected November 1, 2019 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D September 5, 2019
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Corrected November 1, 2019 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D September 5, 2019
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.
Corrected November 1, 2019 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D September 5, 2019
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected November 1, 2019 · Quality of Life and Care
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| July 12, 2024 | Fine | $41,265 |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 215132 · certified since July 28, 1981. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.