ASHEVILLE, NC — Federal health inspectors cited Elevate Health and Rehabilitation for failing to maintain an adequate infection prevention and control program, according to findings from a complaint investigation completed on December 22, 2025. The facility reported correcting the deficiency by January 9, 2026.
Complaint Investigation Reveals Infection Control Gaps
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) investigation found that Elevate Health and Rehabilitation did not adequately provide and implement an infection prevention and control program as required under federal regulatory tag F0880. This tag falls under the broader category of infection control deficiencies, one of the most closely monitored areas in nursing home oversight.
The deficiency was classified at Scope/Severity Level D, meaning it was isolated in nature and did not result in documented actual harm to residents. However, inspectors determined there was potential for more than minimal harm, a designation that signals real risk to resident health and safety even in the absence of a confirmed adverse outcome.
Infection prevention programs in long-term care facilities are required to include policies and procedures for surveillance, prevention, and control of infections. These programs must address hand hygiene protocols, proper use of personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning standards, and protocols for identifying and isolating infectious residents.
Why Infection Control Programs Matter in Nursing Homes
Nursing home residents are among the most vulnerable populations when it comes to infectious disease. Advanced age, chronic medical conditions, weakened immune systems, and close living quarters create conditions where infections can spread rapidly and with serious consequences.
Common healthcare-associated infections in nursing facilities include urinary tract infections, respiratory infections, skin and soft tissue infections, and gastrointestinal illness. When infection control programs break down, even briefly, the risk of transmission between residents increases substantially.
The consequences of infection in elderly nursing home residents can be severe. What might present as a manageable illness in a younger, healthier individual can lead to hospitalization, sepsis, organ failure, or death in a frail elderly resident. According to CMS data, infections remain one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in long-term care settings nationwide.
Proper infection control programs require dedicated staff training, routine audits of compliance, active surveillance for signs of infection, and clear protocols for outbreak response. Facilities are expected to designate an infection preventionist — a qualified individual responsible for overseeing the program's implementation and effectiveness.
Federal Standards and Facility Obligations
Under federal regulations, every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing facility must maintain an infection prevention and control program that addresses the specific risks within its resident population. The program must be evidence-based and regularly updated to reflect current best practices and emerging threats.
The COVID-19 pandemic placed an intense spotlight on infection control practices in nursing homes across the country, leading to stricter enforcement and heightened scrutiny from federal and state regulators. Facilities that fail to meet these standards face citations, potential fines, and increased oversight.
In the case of Elevate Health and Rehabilitation, the facility was found deficient but was given an opportunity to implement corrective measures. The facility reported that corrections were completed as of January 9, 2026, approximately two and a half weeks after the inspection.
Correction Timeline and What Comes Next
The relatively quick correction timeline suggests the facility acknowledged the gap and took steps to address it. However, a reported correction date does not automatically close the matter. CMS and state survey agencies may conduct follow-up inspections to verify that corrective measures have been properly implemented and sustained.
Facilities with infection control deficiencies are often required to submit a plan of correction detailing the specific steps taken, staff retraining conducted, and ongoing monitoring procedures put in place to prevent recurrence.
For families with loved ones at Elevate Health and Rehabilitation, the full inspection report is available through the CMS Care Compare website. Reviewing inspection history, staffing levels, and quality measures can provide a broader picture of a facility's track record.
The complete inspection details, including the specific findings under tag F0880, are available in the [full inspection report](/nursing/inspection-detail.php) on NursingHomeNews.org.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Elevate Health and Rehabilitation from 2025-12-22 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.