Fort Bayard Medical Center
41 Fort Bayard Road · Santa Clara, NM · 88026 · 5755378604
200 certified beds Government - State
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Staffing hours comfortably above national benchmarks.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
The complete Safety Report — $19
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
1 immediate-jeopardy citation in prior inspection cycles
Serious past findings — check whether the underlying problems were fixed and stayed fixed.
Medicare/Medicaid payments were denied
CMS refused payment for new admissions for a period — one of its strongest enforcement tools.
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 | 6.41 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 1.26 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 5.35 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 40% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 1 · $83,501 |
Inspection citations (48 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D April 8, 2026 · found via complaint
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected May 23, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D July 10, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected August 24, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D July 10, 2025 · found via complaint
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Corrected August 24, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · E July 10, 2025 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected August 24, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D July 10, 2025 · found via complaint
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected August 24, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D January 24, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D January 24, 2025 · found via complaint
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E August 9, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 9, 2024
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E August 9, 2024
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 October 25, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E August 9, 2024
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 9, 2024
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D August 9, 2024
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D August 9, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E August 9, 2024
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 October 25, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · F August 9, 2024
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · E August 9, 2024
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E August 9, 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 October 25, 2024 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · F August 9, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected October 25, 2024 · Infection Control
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Immediate jeopardy · K June 11, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected July 26, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · H June 11, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected July 26, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2024 · found via complaint
Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
Corrected July 26, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 11, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Corrected July 26, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 11, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.
Corrected July 26, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D June 1, 2023
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected September 8, 2023 · Resident Rights
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| June 11, 2024 | Fine | $83,501 |
| June 11, 2024 | Payment Denial | 13 days |
Better-scoring options nearby
No better-scoring facility within 25 miles in the current data. See the whole state.
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 325120 · certified since June 20, 2009. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.