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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Fort Bayard Medical Center

Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.

41 Fort Bayard Road, Santa Clara, NM 88026200 bedsLicensed & Active
3/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
4.3/5

based on 18 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Fort Bayard Medical Center Nursing Home in Santa Clara, NM — Street View
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What this means for your family

This facility offers an excellent social environment and a clean living space, which is great for resident morale. However, families should be vigilant regarding administrative and billing transparency; ensure you have clear, written agreements and maintain direct contact with nursing staff rather than relying solely on leadership for updates.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

18 reviews on Google
Fort Bayard Medical Center receives high praise for its active social calendar, clean environment, and generally kind, hardworking nursing staff. However, families have reported significant concerns regarding administrative responsiveness, billing inconsistencies, and occasional instances of unprofessional conduct by leadership.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food8.0Staff7.0Clean9.0Activities9.0MedsN/AMemoryN/AComms3.0Value2.0

Strengths

  • Engaging social activities and outings
  • Clean and quiet facility environment
  • Kind and attentive nursing staff

Concerns

  • Unresponsive or discriminatory leadership (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
  • Administrative and billing issues (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2344.02016(2)3.52018(4)3.02020(4)3.02022(2)4.32024(6)4.82025(10)5.02026(5)

Distribution · 33 analyzed

5
21
4
4
3
4
2
2
1
2

How They Respond to Reviews

6%response rate

This facility rarely responds to reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given the high staffing rating, how do you ensure that the nursing team remains consistent and available to meet individual resident needs throughout the day?
  • 2I noticed some recent feedback regarding administrative and billing processes; could you walk me through how your team handles communication with families regarding financial or operational updates?
  • 3With your focus on engaging social activities and outings, what does a typical calendar look like for a resident who enjoys staying active and involved?
  • 4How does your leadership team approach resolving concerns or feedback from families to ensure that everyone feels heard and respected?
  • 5Regarding the recent health inspection findings, what specific steps or quality improvement initiatives has the facility implemented to address those areas?
  • 6How is your medical team structured to handle urgent care needs or health changes, especially during evening and weekend hours?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

They had a July Birthday celebrations with music, cake and ice cream, and they where dancing with the patients. The patients seem to be enjoying the socializing...On the 4th of July outing the staff did a fantastic job on transporting the patients in and out of the van.

Long-term resident's family · 2024★★★★★

Staff is super friendly and kind!. Clean attentive staff. However leadership personnel called w a very discriminate analysis of my service dog then proceeded to apologize to my male neighbor!!!! and never followed up contacting me.

Resident's family · 2024★★★☆☆

The workers are mostly Wonderful, but some of them steal cookies and candy from my helpless mother's tiny desk at night. The doctors often are slow to examine patients with problems. The billing department and the financial department have different records, and send bills sporadically.

Long-term resident's family · 2020☆☆☆☆
Source: 18 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
1.26hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
6.41hrs
OK
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
40%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
14%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

This facility meets the national staffing benchmarks. Higher staffing is linked to fewer falls and better day-to-day care.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
3/ 5
Better Than Avg

3

measures

Worse Than Avg

10

measures

Mixed Results

4

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🦠

Residents who got a urinary tract infection

↓ Lower is better
This Facility10.7%
Worse than Avg
Here
10.7%
US
1.6%
NM
0.9%
Grant
2.3%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility24.1%
Worse than Avg
Here
24.1%
US
19.5%
NM
14.4%
Grant
21.2%
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.6%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
2.6%
US
12.1%
NM
1.9%
Grant
10.8%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility21.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
21.8%
US
14.4%
NM
13.0%
Grant
17.0%
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility22.8%
Worse than Avg
Here
22.8%
US
15.5%
NM
14.5%
Grant
19.9%
🩹

Residents with pressure sores (bedsores)

↓ Lower is better
This Facility10.1%
Worse than Avg
Here
10.1%
US
4.9%
NM
5.4%
Grant
5.2%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility57.5%
Worse than Avg
Here
57.5%
US
81.8%
NM
86.1%
Grant
79.4%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility65.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
65.2%
US
79.8%
NM
86.4%
Grant
76.8%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
1.6%
NM
1.2%
Grant
1.8%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

17deficiencies
2penalties
Above state avg (16.6)
12 complaint-triggered
$83,501 in fines

Fort Bayard Medical Center has faced recurring care concerns with 11 complaint-triggered deficiencies filed by families, including recent reports in 2025. The facility has persistent issues with care planning, resident rights, and medication management that reappear across multiple surveys from 2022 through 2025. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of repeated violations in core care areas suggests ongoing quality challenges that families should carefully consider.

Apr 8, 2026Complaint
1
0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Jul 10, 2025Complaint
4
0609Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

0552Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

0605Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

0842Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Jan 24, 2025Complaint
2
0604Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Aug 9, 2024Routine
16
0732Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Post nurse staffing information every day.

0880Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0324Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0354Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0550Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0584Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

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.

0604Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.

0700Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

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.

0756Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

0758Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

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.

0582Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

0655Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

0692Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Jun 11, 2024Complaint
5
0684Immediate jeopardy · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0689Actual harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0661Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.

0711Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.

0660Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.

Jun 1, 2023Routine
20
0803Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure 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.

0882Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.

0007Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.

0026Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.

0034Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Provide a means of sharing information on occupancy/needs.

0324Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0623Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

0625Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.

0655Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

0656Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

0657Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

0695Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

0812Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

0842Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

0943Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0805Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Jun 11, 2024

$83,501

Payment Denial

Jun 11, 2024

13-day denial

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Fort Bayard Medical Center

Organization Type

government

Ownership & Management

Key personnel

Bays, SherriOfficer / DirectorHamilton, JasonOfficer / DirectorBays, SherriOfficer / DirectorHamilton, JasonOfficer / DirectorBays, SherriManager
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

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References & Resources

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