Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 299 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
Above average in NY · Meets national RN staffing standard · Above recommended total nurse staffing · Low staff turnover (stable workforce) · $70,434 in fines
What this means for your family
While Guthrie Cortland Medical Center is highly regarded for its Physical Therapy, Labor & Delivery, and Urology departments, the Emergency Room consistently receives critical feedback regarding wait times and staff professionalism. If you are considering this facility for a loved one, we recommend utilizing their outpatient services for scheduled care, but families should be prepared to advocate strongly or seek alternative emergency care if the situation allows.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
299 reviews on Google“Guthrie Cortland Medical Center receives highly polarized feedback, with significant praise for specific departments like Physical Therapy, Labor & Delivery, and Cardiology, contrasted by severe, recurring complaints regarding the Emergency Room. Families frequently report long wait times, unprofessional staff behavior, and perceived negligence in the ER, while other outpatient services are often described as efficient and professional.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Highly professional and knowledgeable Physical Therapy team
- Compassionate and attentive Labor & Delivery staff
- Efficient and friendly outpatient service departments
- Strong support during end-of-life care in ICU
Concerns
- Excessive wait times and lack of communication in the Emergency Room (mentioned by 28 reviewers)
- Unprofessional, rude, or dismissive staff behavior (mentioned by 22 reviewers)
- Inadequate pain management and lack of urgency for serious conditions (mentioned by 15 reviewers)
- Billing errors and confusing, aggressive collection practices (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
- Lack of patient privacy during triage or treatment (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 207 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1Given the high staffing rating, how do you ensure that staff members maintain a consistently warm and professional demeanor when interacting with residents and their families?
- 2I noticed that communication is a high priority for your team; what specific systems do you have in place to keep families updated on their loved one's daily health status and care plan changes?
- 3Since the facility has received feedback regarding medication management, could you walk me through your process for ensuring accuracy and timeliness when administering medications to residents?
- 4With the physical therapy team being a noted strength, how are those services integrated into the daily routine for residents who need ongoing mobility support?
- 5How does your team handle the transition of care if a resident needs to be moved to the Emergency Room, and what steps do you take to ensure their needs are communicated effectively to the ER staff?
- 6I see that you are very active in responding to feedback online; how do you use that family input to make tangible improvements to the dining experience and daily activities for residents?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The nurses and doctors were outstanding in their knowledge and bedside manners. I was seen within 5 minutes of arriving. I was transferred to ICU where I was again treated with excellence for three days.”
“The ICU and 2C staff were absolutely amazing! Loosing a family member is not easy, but the staff of the ICU& 2C were Professional, Compassionate, Supportive, Comforting.”
“I was put on a medication that I have severe allergies to and was clearly noted. I saved myself from having unnecessary surgery. It’s very important to advocate for yourself, question everything and if it doesn’t feel right, get another opinion.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026This 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
12
measures
5
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Families have filed complaints that triggered inspections, leading to findings in medication management, physician oversight, and abuse response protocols. The facility shows recurring issues across fire safety systems and building maintenance that have persisted across multiple surveys from 2019 to 2024. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of repeated safety violations suggests ongoing challenges with infrastructure maintenance and some core care processes.
Mar 31, 2026Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Feb 25, 2026Routine13
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Mar 15, 2024Routine16
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Construction Deficiencies
Install a two-hour-resistant firewall separation.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
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.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure medical gas and vacuum systems have documented maintenance programs.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.
Mar 15, 2024Complaint1
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Sep 11, 2023Complaint3
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Dec 17, 2021Routine8
Construction Deficiencies
Install a two-hour-resistant firewall separation.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor 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.
Egress Deficiencies
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.
Electrical Deficiencies
Ensure that building systems meet requirements determined by risk assessment procedures performed by qualified personnel.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Feb 11, 2026
$182,653
Fine
Sep 11, 2023
$70,434
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Guthrie Cortland Medical Center
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Guthrie
2 facilities nationwide
Ownership & Management
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
299 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit guthrie.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 4 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.
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Walden Place
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