Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
LIFE CARE CENTER OF ATHENS
ATHENS, TN · 128 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey March 28, 2026
CMS Certification Number 445298 · first certified September 1992
Ownership
Operated by LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA · For profit - Corporation
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within TN
7 citations — more than 45% of the 303 certified nursing homes in TN. Compared within TN rather than nationally because which state a facility is in explains about 30% of the variation in citation counts between facilities, while bed count explains under 1%. State survey agencies differ far more than the buildings do. How this is calculated
The latest survey found 0 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 3.5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens June 2027 — about 9 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was March 2026. Facilities in TN are typically surveyed 15–44 months after the last one (median 33), measured over 279 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records.
A range the record supports, not a prediction of a date. State agencies vary widely — from about 11 months in Pennsylvania to three years in Maryland. How the window is measured
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Emergency preparedness
1 of the 7 citations on file is Emergency Preparedness E-tags. E-tags are cited under 42 CFR §483.73 and concern the emergency plan, training, drills, communications and supplies. Nationally about half of certified facilities have at least one. The Emergency Preparedness Index
Physical environment (health survey)
1 physical-environment citation on the health survey. Cited by the health surveyors under Appendix PP, not the Life Safety Code surveyor: equipment in safe operating condition, the call system, bed rails, pest control, hazards, the environment. Counted separately from the 7 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in TN, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the TN figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 7 |
| Median facility in TN | 8 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| November 14, 2019 | 1 |
| August 2, 2023 | 6 |
| March 28, 2026 | 0 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0711 | Provide a written emergency evacuation plan. | 1 | 2023-08-02 |
| K-0222 | 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. | 1 | 2023-08-02 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 1 | 2023-08-02 |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | 1 | 2023-08-02 |
| K-0761 | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | 1 | 2023-08-02 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 1 | 2019-11-14 |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 1 | 2023-08-02 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 3
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 2
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 1
- Egress Deficiencies 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 3 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 2 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 1 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
August 2, 2023 — 6 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 1, 2023) |
| K-0222 | 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. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 1, 2023) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 1, 2023) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 1, 2023) |
| K-0711 | Provide a written emergency evacuation plan. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 1, 2023) |
| K-0761 | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 1, 2023) |
November 14, 2019 — 1 citation
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 20, 2019) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.