South Valley Care Center Violations & Ratings

South Valley Care Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a small nursing home that assists senior adults with their daily needs. Despite good reviews and a satisfactory overall rating within the last three years, several complaints may compromise resident care. 

If you suspect that your loved one has been mistreated at South Valley Care Center, a swift response is essential to keep them safe. Contact our New Mexico nursing home abuse law firm now for a consultation, and we will assist you in taking action against this nursing home. 

Quick Overview

• Facility Name: South Valley Care Center
• Address:1629 Bowe Lane SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105
• Overall Rating: 3 out of 5 
• Long-Term Care Rating: 2 out of 3 
• Federal Fines in Last 3 Years: 0 fines
• Payment Denials by Medicare in the Last 3 Years: 0 denials
• Total Bed Capacity: 62 beds
• Ownership Type: For Profit

Facility Overview

South Valley Care Center, located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a small, for-profit nursing home that provides long-term care to residents, including those with dementia or Alzheimer’s. 

Families who cannot care for their loved ones at home, such as because of complicated conditions, may choose to keep their family members here, where their conditions can be managed by trained medical staff. 

This nursing home is not associated with a hospital or retirement community. 

Ratings and Performance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) currently does not have a rating available for South Valley Care Center as there is not enough data available. However, US News and World Report offers further insight into the facility’s quality of patient care. 

This nursing home had fewer emergency room visits or hospitalizations than the state and national average, which means that staff has been able to prevent residents from suffering severe complications. 

Additionally, a registered nurse was on site for at least 8 hours 98.6% of the time, higher than the state and national average. Preventing health emergencies from escalating can improve quality of life.

However, patient flu vaccination rates are much lower than the state and national average, representing a significant public health risk. 

South Valley Care Center has not faced any federal fines or Medicare or Medicaid denials in the last three years.  

Services Provided

South Valley Care Center in Albuquerque, NM, offers 24-hour long-term care for residents with a variety of needs. This includes assistance with daily care activities such as grooming, bathing, dressing, and toileting. South Valley Care Center also has in-house nutritional services and laundry and offers transportation to off-site appointments. 

Services available from this nursing home include:

• Medication management
• Physical therapy
• Dementia and Alzheimer’s care
• Occupational therapy
• Speech therapy
• Radiation therapy

South Valley Care Center has a 3.4 consumer rating, which is in line with its rating from US News and World Report. 

Review sites note that the quality of care for some residents may need to be improved, and there may be ethical concerns. One individual noted that the administrator had a relative under her employ, which could represent a conflict of interest. 

Others noted that the staff failed to treat their clients with dignity and care, such as threatening them with medication for complaining. However, another reviewer stated that the staff were communicative and felt their loved one was safe in the nursing home even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Violations and Citations

The South Valley Care Center has been noted for one deficiency within the last three years, though it did not result in fines. However, because the CMS overall rating is currently listed as unavailable, this may not represent the exact scope of any problems in the nursing home. 

Specific Violations

Currently, South Valley Care Center has only one deficiency listed, which notes that some produce was beyond its use-by date; this included cabbage, cilantro, and parsley. At the time, there were 52 residents in the facility, all of whom could have been exposed to food-borne illnesses.

Impact on Residents

While South Valley Care Center has minimal deficiencies listed on its form and an average hospitalization rating lower than other facilities, this does not mean that this for-profit nursing home is doing all it can to protect clients, including their health and emotional well-being.

Health and Safety Concerns

Low immunization rates and keeping expired food represent a severe public health risk, especially to immunocompromised senior citizens. 

Emotional and Psychological Impact

Poor nutritional care at South Valley Care Center in Albuquerque can cause anxiety, frustration, and irritation in individuals at this nursing home. Additionally, a lack of immunizations can make patients feel unsafe, especially if they have underlying health conditions like cancer or HIV that lower their immune systems.

Case Examples

A March 2024 investigation found that this Albuquerque nursing home put patients at risk for public health hazards due to expired food. Staff should have followed proper protocols for using produce at its use-by date. This could have led to food poisoning, which is particularly dangerous for older people.

Legal Rights and Actions

If you suspect neglect at a nursing home, you should register a complaint with the New Mexico Department of Health. 

Additionally, you can contact our Nursing Home Law Center for a free consultation about nursing home abuse. We will guide you through the process of reporting public safety concerns to the appropriate authorities and explain how to file a lawsuit. Our team will thoroughly investigate all concerns and negotiate with the relevant parties to seek financial compensation.

Cases against a nursing home can be complicated, so working with a trusted expert in civil litigation is essential. Our lawyers assist you every step of the way, ensuring that your loved ones are kept safe from neglect.