State surveyors inspected 43 of Delaware's 44 nursing homes in the 12 months from August 2025 through July 2026 and cited 374 health deficiencies, according to CMS's nursing home health citation file, processed September 1, 2026. The most cited was F689, which CMS words as “ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents”, at 20 of those buildings (47%). 14 of the citations were immediate jeopardy, the most serious level CMS has.
Selling a building in Delaware? Read our guide to selling a nursing home in Delaware ›
Delaware, the 12 months from August 2025 through July 2026, from CMS's nursing home health citation file.
August 2025 through July 2026. Source: CMS's nursing home health citation file, processed September 1, 2026.
| Rank | Tag | Citations | Buildings cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents | 22 | 20 (47%) |
| 2 | F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities | 21 | 20 (47%) |
| 3 | F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured | 16 | 15 (35%) |
| 4 | F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards | 15 | 15 (35%) |
| 5 | F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals | 15 | 13 (30%) |
| 6 | F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable | 14 | 13 (30%) |
| 7 | F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals | 14 | 12 (28%) |
| 8 | F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations | 13 | 13 (30%) |
| 9 | F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed | 12 | 12 (28%) |
| 10 | F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards | 12 | 10 (23%) |
| 11 | F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program | 11 | 10 (23%) |
| 12 | F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident | 9 | 9 (21%) |
| 13 | F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality | 9 | 9 (21%) |
| 14 | F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing | 8 | 8 (19%) |
| 15 | F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody | 7 | 7 (16%) |
| 16 | F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment | 7 | 7 (16%) |
| 17 | F756Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures | 7 | 7 (16%) |
| 18 | F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights | 7 | 6 (14%) |
| 19 | F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident | 7 | 6 (14%) |
| 20 | F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health | 6 | 6 (14%) |
| 21 | F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist | 6 | 6 (14%) |
| 22 | F605Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function | 5 | 5 (12%) |
| 23 | F700Try 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 | 5 | 5 (12%) |
| 24 | F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors | 5 | 5 (12%) |
| 25 | F761Ensure 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 | 5 | 5 (12%) |
| Rank | Tag | Citations | Buildings cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | F561Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice | 4 | 4 (9%) |
| 27 | F584Honor 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 | 4 | 4 (9%) |
| 28 | F644Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed | 4 | 4 (9%) |
| 29 | F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason | 4 | 4 (9%) |
| 30 | F757Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs | 4 | 4 (9%) |
| 31 | F883Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations | 4 | 4 (9%) |
| 32 | F552Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 33 | F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 34 | F578Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 35 | F585Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 36 | F627Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 37 | F690Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 38 | F881Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 39 | F909Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame | 3 | 3 (7%) |
| 40 | F770Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents | 3 | 2 (5%) |
| 41 | F551Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 42 | F557Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 43 | F602Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 44 | F628Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 45 | F685Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 46 | F693Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 47 | F698Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 48 | F726Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 49 | F730Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 50 | F732Post nurse staffing information every day | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 51 | F745Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 52 | F773Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 53 | F803Ensure 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 | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 54 | F838Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 55 | F919Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 56 | F925Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 57 | F944Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program | 2 | 2 (5%) |
| 58 | F553Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 59 | F570Assure the security of all personal funds of residents deposited with the facility | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 60 | F574The resident has the right to receive notices in a format and a language he or she understands | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 61 | F576Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 62 | F582Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 63 | F583Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 64 | F603Protect each resident from separation (from other residents, his/her room, or confinement to his/her room) | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 65 | F604Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 66 | F607Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 67 | F635Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 68 | F645PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 69 | F646Notify the appropriate authorities when residents with MD or ID services has a significant change in condition | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 70 | F676Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 71 | F679Provide activities to meet all resident's needs | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 72 | F691Provide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 73 | F697Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 74 | F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 75 | F775Keep complete, dated laboratory records in the resident's record | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 76 | F776Provide timely, approved x-ray services, or have an agreement with an approved provider to obtain them | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 77 | F777Provide or obtain x-rays/tests when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 78 | F790Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 79 | F801Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 80 | F806Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 81 | F837Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 82 | F841Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in the facility | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 83 | F843Have an agreement with at least one or more hospitals certified by Medicare or Medicaid to make sure residents can be moved quickly to the hospital when they need medical care | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 84 | F844Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 85 | F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 86 | F941Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 87 | F946Provide training in compliance and ethics | 1 | 1 (2%) |
| 88 | F949Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment | 1 | 1 (2%) |
A tag is ranked by how many times it was cited. “Buildings cited” counts the inspected buildings that drew the tag at least once, and its percentage is of every building inspected; we print a percentage only where 20 or more buildings were inspected. “Rank a year earlier” is the same ranking over August 2024 through July 2025. CMS publishes citations months after the survey, so the newest months are still filling in: compare ranks across the two years, not counts. Immediate jeopardy is CMS severity J, K or L; actual harm is G, H or I. No building is named on this page: open a building for its own inspections.
Pick a time on our calendar, or leave a way to reach you and we call you, whichever is easier.