Desert Highlands Care Center

Location & what’s nearby

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Nearest of each type, straight-line distance. Hospitals come from the CMS Hospital General Information registry; everything else from Overture Maps (public data). Hospital and park hours are typical — call ahead to confirm.

Quality measures — how residents actually fare

Quality-measure stars summarize outcomes CMS tracks from the assessments each home submits — avoidable hospitalizations and ER visits, falls with injury, pressure ulcers, unplanned weight loss, and long-term antipsychotic use. Because the underlying data is self-reported, weigh a high score against the independent inspection record. Long-stay = permanent residents; short-stay = rehab and post-hospital stays.

Short-stay rehab — if you are coming here from a hospital

Arriving from a hospital right now? Read the discharge guide → — your appeal rights, how to slow a rushed discharge, and what to ask about the numbers below.

67.2% of the Medicare patients who left this home got back to the community and stayed there for at least 31 days — CMS rates that better than the national rate. This is CMS’s risk-adjusted rate over 146 Medicare stays in Oct 2022–Sep 2024, and CMS’s own comparison — not ours.

Met the expected recovery: 53.4% of this home’s Medicare short-stay residents left it at or above the ability to care for themselves and move around that CMS predicted for them, across 73 stays in Oct 2024–Sep 2025. The median of the 11,061 homes CMS publishes this for is 56.6%. Read it beside the getting-home figure, not instead of it: unlike the two measures above, CMS makes no better-or-worse call on this one and publishes no confidence interval for it, so this is a comparison and not a verdict — but it is the short-stay measure that separates homes most, and the one to ask about.

Therapy staffing: this home’s payroll records show 0.14 therapist hours per resident per day in 2026Q1 — more than 11% of the 13,892 homes that report any therapy hours at all.

Weekend therapy: weekend therapy hours are 41% of this home’s weekday level — it runs some therapy at the weekend, at a lower level than on weekdays. The median home that reports therapy runs 13% — weekday-focused therapy is the industry norm, not a shortfall. But recovery does not pause on a Saturday: ask what the weekend actually looks like here.

This section is about rehab stays, not living here. Most of this page — the stars, the quality measures, the inspection record — describes the home the way a permanent resident experiences it. These figures describe the short Medicare stay after a hospital discharge: a hip, a stroke, a bad infection, six weeks and home. They are different residents, different staff, often a different wing. Therapy hours are per resident in the building, not per rehab patient — the count includes every long-stay resident, and they mostly get no therapy at all. So a home with a small rehab wing inside a large nursing population reads low here even if its rehab patients get plenty of therapy, and a mostly-rehab home reads high. Use it to compare homes doing similar work, ask what a rehab resident actually gets in a day, and remember that CMS does not publish therapy minutes per patient — nobody does.

Staffing

How full it usually is: this home is certified for 120 beds and averages 74.5 residents a day — about 62% occupied, or roughly 46 beds typically open. It often has substantial empty capacity — worth asking why, since low census can reflect either a new or shrinking home or one families are avoiding. This is a CMS average, not live availability — no public source publishes real-time vacancies, and a home can be full the day you call. Confirm with the home, and if you need a Medicaid bed specifically, ask about that separately: a home with open beds may still not have an open Medicaid bed.

Against a benchmark — not a legal minimum. In May 2024 CMS finalized the first federal staffing floor for nursing homes: 3.48 total nurse hours per resident per day, including 0.55 RN hours and 2.45 nurse-aide hours. Its hour requirements never took effect and are no longer on the books. Homes had until 2026 (2027 if rural) to comply, and that deadline never arrived: a federal court vacated the hour requirements in April 2025 (CMS has appealed), Congress then barred enforcement until 2034, and CMS formally repealed them by rule effective February 2026. This home is not required to meet these numbers, and is not violating anything by missing them. We still show the comparison because the figures are CMS’s own published estimate of adequate staffing, which makes them a useful yardstick — but they are our benchmark, not federal law: this home’s total nurse staffing of 3.82 hrs/resident/day is at or above the 3.48-hour benchmark and RN staffing of 0.45 is below the 0.55-hour RN benchmark and nurse-aide staffing of 2.36 is below the 2.45-hour aide benchmark. What federal law does require today is unchanged: “sufficient” nursing staff for residents’ needs and an RN on duty at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week (42 CFR 483.35). Those are judged by inspectors on site, not by these averages, so read this comparison alongside the inspection record rather than as a pass/fail.

Weekend coverage: total nurse staffing is 3.34 hrs/resident/day on weekends vs 4.02 on weekdays — 17% thinner on weekends. RN hours go from 0.50 to 0.34 per resident-day. (Payroll-based daily records; the national median home is 15% thinner on weekends.)

This home’s total nursing-staff turnover of 45% is about the same as the national median of 45%.

Payroll-based (PBJ) staffing hours, as reported for Jan–Mar 2026 (CMS PBJ CY2026Q1) — the most recent quarter CMS has published, so they can lag a change of operator or staffing agency. Higher is generally better. Registered-nurse coverage and weekend staffing are the numbers families most often overlook — an RN on site matters most when something goes wrong, and coverage usually thins on weekends. High turnover means residents rarely see the same caregiver twice. One caveat: these are hours as reported, not adjusted for how sick or heavy-care this home’s residents are. CMS separately publishes a case-mix-adjusted view; we show the reported hours. A home caring for higher-acuity residents needs more hours to deliver the same care, so compare these figures against homes doing similar work, and read them next to the inspection record rather than alone.

Inspection trend

Deficiencies are more than at the previous inspection — worsening. Fewer citations over time suggests a home is fixing problems; a rising count is a warning sign — though two surveys are a short record, and survey teams differ. These counts are from the standard annual health survey only; the full citation list below may also include findings from complaint investigations, so the two won’t always add up.

Inspection deficiencies

State health-inspection citations, most serious first. Each carries an F-code (the federal rule it cites, e.g. F-684 = quality of care) and a letter A–L marking how serious and how widespread the problem was — we translate that grid into the plain tiers shown here. Wording is the official federal description.

Each letter is a CMS scope-severity level; highlighted ones are where this home has citations. A–C = no harm found; D–F = potential for harm; G–I = actual harm; J–L = immediate jeopardy. Within each band the later letter is the more widespread finding (an isolated G is one resident; a widespread I is a pattern), so rightward and downward is worse.

27 citations, most serious first. The 10 most serious are shown; the remaining 17 are one tap away and print in full.

• Potential for harm · D2025-07-31 · tag F0689 — failed to keep residents free of avoidable accidents; supervise adequately — isolated
  Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on clinical record review, staff interviews and facility policy, the facility failed to ensure procedures were activated timely when the the Resident (#11) failed to return to the facility. The deficient practice may result in unidentified residents who eloped. Findings include: Resident #11 was admitted on [DATE] with diagnoses of acute respiratory failure, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and alcohol abuse. An admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) dated [DATE] included that this resident was moderately cognitively impaired. A Social Services note dated July 16, 2025 included that this resident stopped by Social Services inquiring if he could get a ride to his home and get his belongings, and that he stated he wants some clean clothes and would like to check on his house. This note included that social services discussed with him that he would need to return back to the facility in a decent time so he could continue his medication regimen and therapy and that this resident stated he understand and would be back…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-04-17 · tag F0686 — failed to prevent and treat pressure sores (bedsores) — isolated
  Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on closed clinical record review, staff and residents' interviews and policy review, the facility failed to ensure one resident (#2) was provided care and services to prevent pressure ulcers/injury from developing and/or worsening. The deficient practice could place resident at risk for developing and/or worsening of pressure ulcers/imjury. Findings include: Resident #2 was admitted to the facility with an initial admission date of February 17, 2025 with diagnoses of Pneumonia, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, acquired absence of left upper limb and amputation of two fingers of right hand. Review of nursing progress note titled, Skin Only, dated February 17, 2025 at 15:56 PM revealed that the resident had current skin issues. The progress note revealed resident had a healed skin post amputation of left forearm, and a scrotal excoriation which a barrier cream was ordered and initiated. Review of nursing progress note titled, Braden Scale for Predicting Pressure Ulcer Risk, dated February 17, 2025 at 19:26 PM…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2025-03-14 · tag F0655 — isolated
  Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and facility documentation and policy review, the facility failed to ensure a baseline care plan was developed and implemented timely for two residents (#42 and #56). The deficient practice could lead to decreased communication and coordination between interdisciplinary team members, leading to a decreased quality of care for a resident. Findings include: -Resident #42 was admitted on [DATE] (with an original admission date of September 28, 2022), with diagnoses that included major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, end stage renal disease, essential primary hypertension, cerebral infarction, hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting right dominant side. A minimum data set (MDS) assessment for Resident #42 was completed March 03, 2025 with a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of 01 which indicated that the resident was severely cognitively intact. Resident #42 was dependent on staff with personal hygiene, however a review…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-03-14 · tag F0677 — failed to help fully-dependent residents with daily care — isolated
  Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on review of clinical record review, staff interviews, facility policy and procedures, the facility failed to ensure nail care was provided for one resident (#42). The deficient practice could result in resident grooming and hygiene needs not being met. Findings include: -Resident #42 was admitted on [DATE] (with an original admission date of September 28, 2022), with diagnoses that included major depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, end stage renal disease, essential primary hypertension, cerebral infarction, hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction affecting right dominant side. A minimum data set (MDS) assessment for Resident #42 was completed March 03, 2025 with a brief interview for mental status (BIMS) score of 01 which indicated that the resident was severely cognitively intact. Resident #42 was dependent on staff with personal hygiene, however a review of the care plan for Resident #42 showed that there was no instruction regarding activities of daily living (ADL) due to a history…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2025-03-14 · tag F0732 — isolated
  Post nurse staffing information every day.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure that the nurse staff data was visibly posted daily. The deficient practice could result in the accurate daily staffing information not being available. Findings include: An observation was conducted on March 11, 2025 at 11:10 a.m. The daily staff posting was located on the wall above the facility copier in the business office hall. The staff posting was from the previous date March 10, 2025. On March 12, 2025, at 2:24 p.m., an observation in the main foyer was conducted, the daily staff posting was updated but was in the same place which was still unavailable for review and out of sight to residents and visitors. An observation was conducted on March 13, 2025 at 7:05 a.m. The daily staff posting had not been updated to the current day and was in the same location. An observation was conducted on March 13, 2025 at 10:01 a.m. The daily staff posting was updated to the current day, but still in a non-visible area. An interview was conducted on March 14, 2025 at 10:47 a.m., with the Director of Nursing (DON/staff…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2025-03-14 · tag F0761 — failed to label and store drugs safely — isolated
  Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on an observation, staff interviews, and the facility policy and procedures, the facility failed to ensure one medication cart was secured when left unattended. The deficient practice could result in residents, visitors and/or staff members having unrestricted access to medications. Findings include: During an observation of the medication pass conducted on March 13, 2025 at 07:49 a.m. with registered nurse (RN) Staff #19, revealed that the medication cart was left unattended and unlocked outside of room [ROOM NUMBER]-A. The cart was against the wall and facing the hallway. The cart was not left in the doorway, facing the resident's room or near staff. An interview was conducted on March 13, 2025 at 07:51 with Staff #19 who confirmed that the cart was unlocked outside of room [ROOM NUMBER]-A. The RN Staff #19 stated that if the cart is left unlocked and unattended, people could steal medications. An interview was conducted on March 13, 09:00 a.m. with licensed practical nurse (LPN) Staff #17 who revealed…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2025-03-14 · tag F0804 — failed to serve food at safe, palatable temperature — isolated
  Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on observations, staff interviews and policy review, the facility failed to ensure that food were distributed to residents at a safe and appetizing temperature. The deficient practice could result in the potential of bacterial growth in susceptible conditions. Findings include: -Resident #70 was admitted [DATE] with diagnoses that included encounter for other orthopedic aftercare and fracture of left femur. Review of the resident ' s admission minimum data set (MDS) dated [DATE], revealed a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) summary score of 15 indicating the resident was cognitively intact. Review of the resident ' s orders revealed the resident had an active order, as of February 20, 2025 at 19:52 p.m., for a regular diet, regular texture, regular/thin consistency. An interview was conducted with resident #70 on March 11, 2025 at 12:44 p.m., who stated that all the food is cold and that he would prefer if his food was hot when it is brought to him. -Resident #45 was admitted [DATE] with diagnoses…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-03-14 · tag F0812 — failed to store, cook, and serve food safely — isolated
  Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  Based on observation, staff interviews, and facility policy, the facility failed to ensure that refrigerated food was not expired. The deficient practice could result in potential foodborne illness to residents in the facility. Findings include: During the initial tour of the kitchen on March 11, 2025 at 12:15 P.M., conducted with the Dietary Manager (staff #68), an observation of the refrigerator revealed one box of Tomato Juice which was labeled with a best by date of October 11, 2024. Further observation revealed that it was half full with tomato juice. The Dietary Manager immediately threw the Tomato Juice into a trash can. An interview was conducted on March 11, 2025 at 12:17 P.M. with the Dietary Manager (Staff #68), who confirmed that the juice was expired. He stated that the facility process for expired food is to be thrown away. The dietary manager stated that the risk for serving expired tomato juice to residents could include the resident getting sick. An interview was conducted on March 14, 2025 at 10:23 A.M. with the Administrator (Staff #2), who stated that the…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · Dcited before2025-03-14 · tag F0880 — failed to prevent and control infections — isolated
  Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on observations, record reviews, staff interviews, and review of facility policy and procedures, the facility failed to ensure that proper hand hygiene was conducted during pressure ulcer care for one resident #27. The deficient practice could result in contamination. Findings Include: Resident #27 was admitted on [DATE], with diagnoses that included a pressure ulcer of the sacral region, stage 3, ankylosing spondylitis, Crohn's disease, pressure ulcer of the left buttock, stage 2, and major depressive disorder. Review of the care plan-initiated December 12, 2024 revealed that resident #27 had stage 3 pressure coccygeal pressure ulcer, history of pressure ulcers and the potential for pressure ulcer development. The goal for resident #27 revealed that the pressure ulcer will show signs of healing and remain free from infection by/through review date. Further review of the care plan-initiated December 12, 2024, revealed that resident #27 refuses wound care.The noted goal revealed that resident #27 will allow…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Infection Control Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction
• Potential for harm · D2024-11-21 · tag F0600 — failed to protect residents from abuse and neglect — isolated
  Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
  What the surveyor found here — an excerpt from the official record, may be distressing

  NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY Based on documentation, staff interviews, and the facility policy and procedures, the facility failed to ensure that resident (#7) was not exposed to inappropriate sexual behaviors by resident (#10). The deficient practice could result in residents being sexually abused. Findings include: Resident #7 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included multiple sclerosis, dementia, and generalized muscle weakness. The minimum data set (MDS) dated [DATE] included a brief interview for mental status score of 9 indicating the resident had a mild cognitive impairment. An incident note dated November 17, 2024 revealed that a certified nursing assistant (CNA) reported at 2:15 p.m. that resident #10 was in resident #7's room and exposed himself to resident #7. Review of a progress note dated November 17, 2024 revealed that the central nurse reported on November 17, 2024 at 2:15 p.m. that the nurse's aid observed resident #10 in resident #7's room displaying inappropriate behavior. Resident #10 redirected…

  This is the beginning of the surveyor’s statement, cut to keep the page readable — the full 2567 continues past this point and often ends with the findings that matter most, such as whether an immediate jeopardy was removed before the surveyors left. The complete statement of deficiencies is a public record: request it from your state survey agency, or ask the home for its 2567 and plan of correction — it must make them available to residents and families.

  Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Deficient, Provider has date of correction

“Cited before” means this same F-tag appears on at least one other survey date in the record we hold — counting complaint investigations as well as standard surveys, with no time limit. It is our own read of the data, not CMS’s: CMS uses repeat deficiency as a formal term tied to consecutive standard surveys, and that is a narrower test than this one. A tag marked here may or may not meet it.

Fines & penalties

No federal fines in the current CMS record.

Part of a chain

This home belongs to CIRCLE B ENTERPRISES — 36 facilities. Here is how its ratings compare with the chain’s average across all its homes: See the whole chain — ratings, flags, fines and finances →

A home rated well below its chain’s average can signal local problems; a chain with a low average across the board is a bigger pattern worth researching. CMS chain data under-reports private-equity and REIT ownership, so treat this as a floor, not the full picture.

Who owns this facility

CMS files one row per role, so the 19 rows in the source record cover these 14 parties — each is shown once here with every role it holds. Nothing is omitted.

9 organizational owners listed — a facility can be part of a larger chain. CMS ownership data is known to under-report private-equity and REIT ties; treat as a starting point.

Follow the money — this home’s finances

Where a nursing home’s revenue comes from and where it goes — including money paid to companies under the same ownership. Most consumer sites never show this; we reproduce it straight from the Medicare cost report.

This home reported $1.5M paid to related parties — landlords or management companies under common ownership — equal to about 21% of its total expenses. Money routed to affiliated companies can leave a home’s own books looking lean while owners still profit; it is the mechanism regulators watch most closely in private-equity and REIT deals.

Source: CMS Healthcare Provider Cost Reporting Information System (HCRIS), Medicare cost report Form CMS-2540 · fiscal year 2023. Facilities self-file these reports; figures are unaudited and a year or two behind. A home with no Medicare cost report on file shows no figures here.

Cost & finances

Straight from this home’s Medicare cost report (CMS, FY2023). These are its operating economics — what it costs to run per resident-day and what it collects on average across Medicare, Medicaid, and private pay — not a private-pay quote. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on payer and room type, so ask the facility directly; a higher operating cost can reflect richer staffing or a sicker population. The cost-of-care planner shows regional benchmarks by care type.

What families pay in AZ