Quick answers
- Where is Deer's Head Center?
- 351 Deer's Head Hospital Road, Salisbury, MD 21801, in Wicomico County, Maryland.
- What is the phone number of Deer's Head Center?
- (410) 543-4000, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Deer's Head Center?
- Medicare overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Deer's Head Center been fined?
- Medicare lists 1 fine totaling $41,265.
- What did inspectors find at Deer's Head Center?
- In its last three inspection cycles (September 5, 2019 to December 16, 2025), Medicare lists 19 health citations; the most serious was level G. 1 was level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). See the list below (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
Medicare ratings, explained
Star ratings are one piece of information. Visit, ask questions and talk with your doctor about what matters for your care.
Inspections, fines and staffing
In its last three inspection cycles (September 5, 2019 to December 16, 2025), Deer's Head Center had 19 health citations; the most serious was level G (actual harm to residents). 1 of them was level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). It was fined $41,265 in total (1 fine, the latest on July 12, 2024). Nurse staffing is 9.34 hours per resident per day; the Maryland average is 3.93 and the national average is 3.90.
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, data updated October 1, 2026, retrieved November 13, 2026.
Inspection history: last three cycles
State inspectors visit about once a year and also investigate complaints. Each citation (deficiency) has a tag number and a letter, A to L. The letter shows how serious the problem was and how many residents it affected.
What the letters A to L mean
| Seriousness | Isolated (a few residents) | Pattern (some) | Widespread (many) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A | B | C |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | D | E | F |
| Actual harm to residents | G | H | I |
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J | K | L |
Source: the scope and severity grid Medicare (CMS) uses for nursing home citations.
Most recent cycle: December 16, 2025 — 7 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: December 16, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 7 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0578 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.”
F0600 Level D
“Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.”
F0757 Level D
“Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.”
F0812 Level D
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0921 Level D
“Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.”
F0732 Level B
“Post nurse staffing information every day.”
Previous cycle: July 12, 2024 — 5 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: July 12, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 5 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0623 Level D
“Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.”
F0625 Level D
“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.”
F0758 Level D
“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.”
F0759 Level D
“Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Earlier cycle: September 5, 2019 — 7 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: September 5, 2019 (standard health inspection); July 12, 2024 (complaint investigation).
F0600 Level G
“Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Show 6 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0609 Level D
“Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.”
F0610 Level D
“Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
F0561 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.”
F0584 Level D
“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.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
Citation descriptions are Medicare’s official wording. “From a complaint” means the citation came from a complaint investigation instead of the regular yearly inspection.
Full inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare →
Fire safety citations (15)
K0914 Level E
“Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.”
K0324 Level D
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0541 Level D
“Install properly constructed and protected linen or trash chutes.”
E0004 Level F
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
K0293 Level E
“Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.”
K0919 Level D
“Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.”
K0345 Level F
“Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0761 Level F
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0916 Level F
“Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel.”
K0211 Level E
“Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.”
K0355 Level E
“Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.”
K0351 Level D
“Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.”
K0363 Level D
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0754 Level D
“Provide properly sized and located linen or trash receptacles.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $41,265 (1 fine). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| July 12, 2024 | Fine | $41,265 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Penalties file, data updated October 1, 2026.
Staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from the payroll records nursing homes send to Medicare, next to the state and national averages.
| Measure | This home | Maryland | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 4.43 | 0.88 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.82 | 0.92 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 4.09 | 2.14 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 9.34 | 3.93 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 7.33 | 3.49 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.30 | 0.64 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 32.9% | 40.2% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 16.2% | 37.8% | 42.5% |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Compare with other nursing homes
Key facts
| Type | Nursing home |
|---|---|
| Certified beds | 80 |
| Average residents per day | 33.1 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Government – state |
| Legal business name | Comptroller of Maryland Central Payroll Bureau |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1981-07-28 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 351 Deer's Head Hospital Road, Salisbury, MD 21801 |
| County | Wicomico County |
| State | Maryland |
| Phone | (410) 543‑4000 |
| CMS Certification Number | 215132 |
| Name in Medicare records | DEER'S HEAD CENTER |
| Corrections | Report an error or suggest an update → |
What to ask when you call or visit
A general checklist for any nursing home, not advice about this one. Medicare also publishes guides on medicare.gov.
- Is the home certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid, and does it have a bed for the care you need (short-term rehab or long-term care)?
- Can you see the latest state inspection report? Ask how any problems found were fixed.
- How many nurses and aides work on each shift, at night and on weekends? Is there a registered nurse on site at all times?
- Which doctors see residents, and how often? What happens in a medical emergency, and which hospital is used?
- What therapy (physical, occupational, speech) is offered, and how many days a week?
- Are residents clean, dressed and taking part in activities? Do staff speak to them kindly and answer call lights quickly?
- What do the daily rate and extra services cost, and what do Medicare, Medicaid or your insurance pay? Ask for it in writing.
- Is there a resident council and a family council? How are complaints handled? Ask for the long-term care ombudsman’s contact.
- Are meals appetizing, and can the home meet special diets, language needs and religious or cultural preferences?
- Visit more than once, including at a mealtime or in the evening, without an appointment.
Other nursing homes nearby
By straight-line distance (not driving distance).
- Wicomico Nursing Home1.1 mi · Salisbury, MD · 4 of 5 stars
- Anchorage Rehabilitation and Wellness Center1.3 mi · Salisbury, MD · 2 of 5 stars
- Bay Harbor Post Acute Healthcare Center1.5 mi · Salisbury, MD · 2 of 5 stars
- Delmar Nursing & Rehabilitation Center5.3 mi · Delmar, DE · 4 of 5 stars
- Manokin Nursing and Rehab13 mi · Princess Anne, MD · 1 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Tidalhealth Peninsula Regional, Inc1.3 mi · Salisbury, MD · Acute Care Hospital
- Tidalhealth Nanticoke, Inc.18 mi · Seaford, DE · Acute Care Hospital
- Tidalhealth Atlantic Inc21 mi · Berlin, MD · Acute Care Hospital
Sources
- Provider Information — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Medicare Care Compare — official Medicare profile of this provider
- Health Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Fire Safety Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Penalties — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Ownership — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- State US Averages — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Survey Summary — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Citation Code Look-up — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Inspection Dates — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13