Delaware Hospital F/T Chronically Ill (dhci)

100 Sunnyside Road · Smyrna, DE · 19977 · 3022231500

175 certified beds Government - State

Why this verdict

  • Inspectors found immediate jeopardy — danger of serious harm or death — in the most recent cycle (2 citations).
  • Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
  • Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
  • Staffing hours comfortably above national benchmarks.

Red flags

Special Focus Facility candidate

CMS lists this facility as a candidate for its Special Focus program for persistently poor inspection performance.

2 immediate-jeopardy citations in the most recent inspection cycle

Immediate jeopardy is the most serious finding an inspector can make: a situation likely to cause serious injury, harm, or death.

$59,947 in federal fines in the last 24 months

2 fines — CMS fines are reserved for verified, serious non-compliance.

Score breakdown

Inspection record 30% of score 25
Serious harm & abuse 20% 34
Staffing 20% 97
Federal penalties 15% 52
Trend 10% 22
Context 5% 35

Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.

CMS ratings & staffing

Overall: 2 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 5 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5

Total nurse hours / resident-day9.913.48 min · 4.1 strong
RN hours / resident-day2.550.55–0.75
Weekend hours / resident-day8.19≈ weekday level
Nursing turnover / year17%median 45%
Fines (3-yr window)2 · $59,947

Inspection citations (11 in the current record)

  • Immediate jeopardy · K January 9, 2026

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care

  • Potential for harm · D January 9, 2026

    Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning

  • Potential for harm · E January 9, 2026

    Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning

  • Potential for harm · D January 9, 2026

    Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care

  • Potential for harm · D January 9, 2026

    Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care

  • Potential for harm · D January 9, 2026

    Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Pharmacy Service

  • Potential for harm · F January 9, 2026

    Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary

  • Potential for harm · D January 9, 2026

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Infection Control

  • Potential for harm · E January 9, 2026

    Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

    Corrected February 23, 2026 · Infection Control

  • Immediate jeopardy · J October 3, 2025 · found via complaint

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Corrected November 17, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care

  • Immediate jeopardy · J February 24, 2025 · found via complaint

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Corrected March 24, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care

Federal penalties

DateTypeAmount / length
October 3, 2025Fine$42,602
February 24, 2025Fine$17,345

Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score

No approved reviews yet. If your family has experience with this facility, yours could be the review that helps the next family decide.

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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 085035 · certified since January 1, 1989. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.