nursing home in Highlands, NC
Eckerd Living Center
250 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741 · (828) 526-1315
CMS overall star rating
- Health inspections★★★★★4
- Staffing★★★★★5
- Quality measures★★★★★3
- CMS high performer
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. We refresh our information from this source. About our data
Eckerd Living Center at a glance
Eckerd Living Center is a 80-bed for-profit nursing home in Highlands, North Carolina (Macon County).
CMS gives it 5 out of 5 stars on its overall star rating, better than the North Carolina average of 2.9.
Residents receive about 4.4 hours of nursing care per day (1.2 of them from registered nurses), better than the state average of 3.9 hours.
Its most recent standard health inspection (April 10, 2026) found 4 health citations. The North Carolina average is 4.7.
It has not received a federal fine in the past three years.
Nursing staff turnover is 36.7% per year (state average 49%).
Facility details
- Type
- Nursing home
- Ownership
- For Profit - Partnership
- Beds
- 80
- Certified for
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Chain / affiliated entity
- HCA Healthcare
- Medicare-certified since
- April 28, 1993
- Resident/family council
- Resident
- County
- Macon County
- CMS Certification Number
- 345437
Ratings
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 5 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | 3 / 5 | Better |
| Health inspection rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 4 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 | Better |
| Staffing rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 5 / 5 | 2.7 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | Better |
| Quality measures rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 3 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 | Worse |
| Long-stay quality rating (higher is better) | 2 / 5 | 3.4 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | Worse |
| Short-stay (rehab) quality rating (higher is better) | 4 / 5 | 3 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | Better |
Staffing
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day ⓘ (higher is better) | 4.35 hrs | 3.85 hrs | 3.86 hrs | Better |
| Registered nurse hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 1.16 hrs | 0.62 hrs | 0.69 hrs | Better |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 2.47 hrs | 2.34 hrs | 2.32 hrs | Better |
| Weekend nurse staff hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 3.46 hrs | 3.42 hrs | 3.42 hrs | Average |
| Nursing staff turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 36.7% | 49% | 45.8% | Better |
| Registered nurse turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 0% | 45.6% | 42.9% | Better |
| Administrators who left in the past year (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
Inspections
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health citations in the most recent inspection (lower is better) | 4 | 5 | 9 | Better |
| Citations from complaint investigations (latest cycle) (lower is better) | 0 | 2 | 3 | Better |
| Weighted health inspection score ⓘ (lower is better) | 18 | 49.2 | 80.6 | Better |
Penalties
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
| Total fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | $0 | $36,617 | $30,972 | Better |
| All federal penalties in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
Size
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified beds | 80 | 105 | 107 | |
| Average residents per day | 45 | 87 | 86 | |
| Occupancy | 56% | 83.6% | 80.9% |
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-stay residents with a fall causing major injury (lower is better) | 5.3% | 3.5% | 3.2% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with pressure ulcers (lower is better) | 9.3% | 5.5% | 4.6% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents given antipsychotic medication (lower is better) | 21.2% | 14% | 15.4% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection (lower is better) | 0.7% | 2.3% | 1.6% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with a catheter left in the bladder (lower is better) | 2.3% | 0.7% | 0.8% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents needing more help with daily activities (lower is better) | 15.8% | 15.6% | 13.9% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents whose walking worsened (lower is better) | 22.8% | 18.3% | 14.1% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents who lose too much weight (lower is better) | 6% | 7.2% | 5.2% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with depressive symptoms (lower is better) | 1.5% | 5.9% | 12.8% | Better |
| Long-stay residents who were physically restrained (lower is better) | 0% | 0% | 0.1% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given anti-anxiety or sleep medication (lower is better) | 23.9% | 21.3% | 19.5% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with new or worse incontinence (lower is better) | 22.3% | 20.7% | 19% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents given a flu vaccine (higher is better) | 97.7% | 94.1% | 95.5% | Average |
| Long-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 96% | 92% | 93.6% | Average |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This facility | North Carolina avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotic medication (lower is better) | 3% | 1.4% | 1.6% | Worse |
| Short-stay residents given a flu vaccine (higher is better) | 80% | 78.1% | 79.8% | Average |
| Short-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 85.2% | 80.6% | 82% | Average |
Inspection citations
State inspectors cited this home for 7 health deficiencies and 12 fire safety deficiencies in the inspection records CMS currently publishes. None were rated as causing actual harm to residents.
| Date | Citation | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0372 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies · Tag K0923 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies · Tag K0918 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Services Deficiencies · Tag K0521 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. Services Deficiencies · Tag K0511 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. Egress Deficiencies · Tag K0222 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Fire safety | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0353 | D Potential harm, isolated | Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction |
| April 10, 2026 Standard | Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits. Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0712 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 23, 2026 |
| April 10, 2026 Standard | Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0552 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 23, 2026 |
| April 10, 2026 Standard | Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0628 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 23, 2026 |
| April 10, 2026 Standard | PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0645 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 23, 2026 |
| February 19, 2025 Fire safety | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. Services Deficiencies · Tag K0521 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 26, 2025 |
| February 19, 2025 Fire safety | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0353 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 26, 2025 |
| February 19, 2025 Fire safety | Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0352 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected April 26, 2025 |
| February 19, 2025 Standard | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 6, 2025 |
| February 19, 2025 Standard | Dispose of garbage and refuse properly. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0814 | E Potential harm, pattern | Corrected March 6, 2025 |
| September 28, 2023 Fire safety | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0353 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected January 17, 2024 |
| September 28, 2023 Fire safety | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0363 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected January 17, 2024 |
| September 28, 2023 Standard | Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data. Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0851 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected October 19, 2023 |
Severity letters follow the CMS scope-and-severity grid: A–C no actual harm with potential for minimal harm; D–F potential for more than minimal harm; G–I actual harm; J–L immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety. How to read inspection citations.
Fines and payment denials
CMS reports no federal fines or payment denials in the past three years.
Owners and managers
Individuals and organizations reported to CMS as owning or operating this nursing home.
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| ownership data not available |
Other nursing homes near Eckerd Living Center
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Vero Health & Rehab of Sylva
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★★★★★1Much below averagePruitthealth - Pickens
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★★★★★5Much above averageSapphire Ridge Health and Rehabilitation
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Frequently asked questions
What is Eckerd Living Center's rating?
Eckerd Living Center has 5 out of 5 stars on the CMS overall star rating. The average for North Carolina nursing homes is 2.9 stars.
How many inspection citations did Eckerd Living Center receive?
Its most recent standard health inspection found 4 citations, compared with a North Carolina average of 4.7. Every citation is listed on this page with its severity.
Does Eckerd Living Center accept Medicare and Medicaid?
CMS lists it as certified for: Medicare and Medicaid. Call the facility to confirm bed availability and whether it accepts your specific plan.
Who owns Eckerd Living Center?
It is for profit - partnership and part of HCA Healthcare. The ownership section on this page lists the owners and managers reported to CMS.
Where is Eckerd Living Center and how do I contact it?
Eckerd Living Center is at 250 Hospital Drive, Highlands, NC 28741. Phone: (828) 526-1315.
About this data
Ratings and measures come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. They're based on state inspections, patient surveys and facility reports, and they describe the past. Facilities change, so visit in person and confirm details directly. About our data · Spotted an error? Let us know.