Inspection Reports for Brasstown Manor Senior Living
108 Church St, Hiawassee, GA 30546, United States, GA, 30546
Back to Facility ProfileInspection Report Summary
The most recent inspection on July 15, 2025, identified multiple deficiencies related to staff training, health examinations, nurse staffing, fire safety, medication administration, and therapeutic diet provision. Earlier inspections showed mostly no deficiencies, with prior complaint investigations finding no violations except for substantiated issues in 2018 concerning resident care and medication observation. The main themes of deficiencies have involved staff qualifications and training, medication management, and fire safety compliance. Several complaint investigations were unsubstantiated, and no fines, immediate jeopardy findings, or license actions were listed in the available reports. The recent findings indicate some recurring challenges in staffing and safety practices after a period of generally clean inspections.
Deficiencies (last 8 years)
Deficiencies (over 8 years)
2.6 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.
47% better than Georgia average
Georgia average: 4.9 deficiencies/yearDeficiencies per year
8
6
4
2
0
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 7
Date: Jul 15, 2025
Visit Reason
The purpose of the visit was to investigate intake #GA50003888 and to conduct a compliance inspection at Brasstown Manor.
Complaint Details
The visit was complaint-related, investigating intake #GA50003888.
Findings
The facility failed to meet multiple regulatory requirements including staff training hours, staff health examinations, nurse staffing hours, fire safety program effectiveness, medication administration procedures, and provision of therapeutic diets as ordered.
Deficiencies (7)
Failed to ensure staff completed at least 24 hours of continuing education within the first year of employment for 1 sampled staff (Staff E).
Failed to ensure staff providing hands-on personal services had a minimum of 16 hours of job-related continuing education annually for 2 sampled staff (Staff C and Staff D).
Failed to ensure each employee received a physical examination within 12 months prior to providing care for 2 sampled staff (Staff E and Staff F).
Failed to ensure a registered professional nurse or licensed practical nurse was on-site to support care and oversight of residents for a minimum of 8 hours per week; July 2025 work schedule showed no nurse.
Failed to ensure an effective fire safety program; only one fire drill was completed in 2024.
Failed to ensure medication assistance was properly provided; medication (Tramadol) was left in a cup for night staff without a Certified Medication Aide on duty for 1 resident (Resident #6).
Failed to ensure therapeutic diets were provided as ordered by healthcare providers for 2 residents (Resident #4 and Resident #6); no sugar-free dessert alternatives were available.
Report Facts
Training hours completed: 11
Training hours completed: 6
Training hours completed: 8.5
Nurse staffing hours: 0
Fire drills completed: 1
Medication administration times: 7
Residents on no-concentrated sweets diet: 3
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Staff E | Failed to complete required 24 hours of training in first year and lacked physical exam within 12 months. | |
| Staff C | Certified Medication Aide (CMA) | Had less than required annual training hours and left medication for night shift staff. |
| Staff D | Certified Medication Aide (CMA) | Had less than required annual training hours and administered medication after 7:00 p.m. without CMA scheduled. |
| Staff F | Lacked physical exam within 12 months. | |
| Staff A | Interviewed regarding staffing, training, fire safety, and medication administration issues. |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Feb 22, 2023
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to investigate intake GA00229820 and GA00232331.
Complaint Details
Investigation of complaint intakes GA00229820 and GA00232331 with no rule violations found.
Findings
No rule violations were cited as a result of this investigation.
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Nov 10, 2022
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to investigate intake GA00227508.
Complaint Details
Investigation of intake GA00227508 with no rule violations cited.
Findings
No rule violations were cited as a result of this investigation.
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Jul 27, 2022
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to investigate intake #GA00226326, #GA00226231, and #GA00225475.
Complaint Details
Investigation was complaint-related based on intake numbers provided; no violations found.
Findings
No rule violations were cited as a result of this investigation.
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Jul 8, 2022
Visit Reason
The purpose of this survey was to investigate complaint #GA00222888 during an onsite visit on 7/8/2022.
Complaint Details
Investigation of complaint #GA00222888 with no rule violations found.
Findings
No rule violations were cited as a result of this investigation.
Inspection Report
Renewal
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Dec 13, 2021
Visit Reason
The visit was conducted to investigate intake #GA00219382 and to conduct the re-licensure inspection of the facility.
Findings
No violations were cited as a result of the investigation and re-licensure inspection.
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Dec 2, 2020
Visit Reason
The visit was conducted to investigate intake #GA0020802, with the investigation beginning on 2020-11-17 and completed on 2020-12-02.
Complaint Details
Investigation of intake #GA0020802 was completed with no rule violations cited.
Findings
No rule violations were cited as a result of this investigation.
Inspection Report
Monitoring
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Apr 6, 2020
Visit Reason
The purpose of this review is to monitor COVID 19 cases and assess infection control processes.
Findings
The report focuses on monitoring COVID-19 cases and assessing the facility's infection control processes.
Inspection Report
Follow-Up
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Apr 19, 2019
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to conduct a follow-up to the 10/10/18 visit.
Findings
No violations were cited as a result of this inspection.
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 2
Date: Oct 9, 2018
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to conduct a compliance inspection and investigate complaint #GA00191661. An onsite visit was made to the facility on 10/09/18, and the investigation was completed on 10/11/18.
Complaint Details
Investigation of complaint #GA00191661 regarding Resident #3's care needs and medication administration practices. The complaint was substantiated based on observations, record reviews, and staff interviews.
Findings
The facility failed to require a resident to move out when the resident's specific care needs could not be met, specifically Resident #3 who was bedfast and required total care. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure that quarterly random medication administration observations were conducted by a licensed nurse or pharmacist as required.
Deficiencies (2)
Failed to require a resident to move out when the resident's specific care needs could not be met by available staff, e.g., Resident #3 was bedfast and unable to assist self-preservation.
Failed to ensure quarterly random medication administration observations were conducted by a licensed registered professional nurse or pharmacist.
Report Facts
Sampled residents: 6
Dates of hospice nursing notes: Sep 26, 2018
Dates of hospice nursing notes: Oct 2, 2018
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Staff D | Interviewed regarding Resident #3's condition and hospice services | |
| Staff H | Interviewed regarding Resident #3's health decline and medication administration observations | |
| AA | Visitor who reported concerns about Resident #3's care and condition |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Deficiencies: 5
Date: May 31, 2017
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to conduct the annual inspection of Brasstown Manor.
Findings
The facility failed to meet several regulatory requirements including ensuring staff had current emergency first aid certification, tuberculosis screening, and criminal background checks prior to employment. Additionally, the facility did not comply with fire safety rules requiring one fire drill per quarter per shift and failed to timely manage medication procurement for residents, resulting in medication delays and interruptions.
Deficiencies (5)
Facility failed to ensure staff had current certification in emergency first aid training for 1 of 5 staff (Staff D).
Facility failed to ensure staff received tuberculosis screening within 12 months prior to providing care for 1 of 5 staff (Staff C).
Facility failed to obtain criminal history background check for 1 of 5 staff (Staff C) prior to employment.
Facility failed to comply with fire safety rules requiring one fire drill per quarter per shift.
Facility failed to obtain new prescriptions within 48 hours and timely refills to avoid interruption in medication dosing for 2 of 5 residents (Resident #2, Resident #5).
Report Facts
Staff affected: 5
Residents affected: 2
Fire drills documented: 4
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Staff D | Failed to have current emergency first aid certification | |
| Staff C | Failed to have tuberculosis screening and criminal background check prior to employment | |
| Staff A | Interviewed staff regarding certifications, screenings, and fire drills | |
| Staff B | Interviewed staff regarding medication procurement delays |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 7
Date: Jan 27, 2017
Visit Reason
The purpose of this visit was to investigate complaint #GA00168606. The investigation was started on 2016-11-29 and completed on 2017-01-27.
Complaint Details
The investigation was initiated due to complaint #GA00168606. The complaint involved issues such as failure to obtain fingerprint clearance for the director, failure to maintain personnel and resident files, unsanitary conditions, lack of protective oversight for residents, uncertified medication aides administering medications, and failure to timely report resident elopement to police.
Findings
The facility failed to obtain a satisfactory fingerprint records check for the director, maintain personnel files for employees, maintain sanitary conditions in the kitchen, provide protective care and watchful oversight for a resident, employ certified medication aides for medication administration, maintain individual resident files for residents receiving personal care, and report resident elopement to the police within the required timeframe.
Deficiencies (7)
Failed to obtain a satisfactory fingerprint records check for the director.
Failed to maintain a personnel file for each employee for three years following departure or discharge.
Failed to maintain the interior free of unsanitary conditions; mold observed in kitchen.
Failed to provide protective care and watchful oversight for 1 of 1 sampled resident.
Failed to employ certified medication aides to provide medication administration.
Failed to maintain individual resident files for 9 of 40 residents receiving personal care services.
Failed to report resident elopement to local police within 30 minutes as required by Mattie's Call Act.
Report Facts
Residents without files: 9
Incident date: Nov 18, 2016
Incident report time: 845
Number of certified medication aides: 3
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Staff B | Director | Failed to obtain fingerprint records check after promotion to director in November 2016 |
| Staff A | Interviewed staff providing information on fingerprint clearance, personnel files, and incident details | |
| Staff D | Employee with no personnel file maintained after departure | |
| Staff C | Responsible for maintaining personnel files, terminated on 11/2/16 | |
| Staff E | Certified Medication Aide | New staff who would remove mold and fill in as CMA |
| Staff F | Medication aide without CMA certification; documented resident elopement incident | |
| Staff G | Medication aide without CMA certification |
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