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Nursing home

The Forest at Duke Inc

Durham, North Carolina · Durham County

  • 2701 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705 · Directions
  • (919) 490‑8000
  • Medicare overall rating: 4 of 5 starsMedicare overall rating
  • Ownership: Non-profit – corporation
  • 1 health citation in its last 3 inspection cycles (most serious: level B). See the inspection record

Summary

The Forest at Duke Inc is a Medicare-certified nursing home in Durham, North Carolina, with 4 certified beds. Medicare overall rating: 4 of 5 stars. Most recent standard health inspection: 2026-02-12, with 0 health deficiencies. Ownership: non-profit – corporation. Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information, data updated 2026-10-01.

What is a nursing home?

A nursing home (skilled nursing facility) gives 24-hour nursing care and help with daily activities. Some people stay for a short time to recover after a hospital stay (rehabilitation); others live there long term. The homes listed here are certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid and inspected by the state.

Official Medicare data

Everything on this page comes from Medicare (CMS) data updated 2026-10-01. It is information, not a recommendation. Call the nursing home and visit before you decide, and talk with your doctor.

In a medical emergency, call 911.

At a glance

Medicare overall rating: 4 of 5 starsMedicare overall rating
4Certified beds
Health inspections: 5 of 5 starsHealth inspections

Quick answers

Where is The Forest at Duke Inc?
2701 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705, in Durham County, North Carolina.
What is the phone number of The Forest at Duke Inc?
(919) 490-8000, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
What is the Medicare star rating of The Forest at Duke Inc?
Medicare overall rating: 4 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
Has The Forest at Duke Inc been fined?
Medicare lists no fines for The Forest at Duke Inc.
What did inspectors find at The Forest at Duke Inc?
In its last three inspection cycles (December 6, 2023 to February 12, 2026), Medicare lists 1 health citation; the most serious was level B. 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.

Overall rating
Overall rating: 4 of 5 stars
Medicare’s summary of the three ratings below, from 1 star (much below average) to 5 stars (much above average).
Health inspections
Health inspections: 5 of 5 stars
Based on state health inspections and complaint investigations of about the last three years, compared with other nursing homes in the same state.
Staffing
Staffing: 1 of 5 stars
Based on how many hours nurses and aides spend with each resident per day (from payroll records) and how often staff leave.
Quality of resident care
Not rated
Based on how residents do on measures such as falls with injury, pressure sores, getting better at moving around and going back to the hospital. Medicare (CMS) does not show this rating for this provider. This happens, for example, when a provider is new or has too few patients or survey answers.

Inspections, fines and staffing

In its last three inspection cycles (December 6, 2023 to February 12, 2026), The Forest at Duke Inc had 1 health citation; the most serious was level B (no actual harm, potential for minimal harm). Medicare lists no fines or payment denials for it in the last three years. Nurse staffing is 6.33 hours per resident per day; the North Carolina average is 3.87 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
Scope and severity letters
SeriousnessIsolated (a few residents)Pattern (some)Widespread (many)
No actual harm, potential for minimal harmABC
No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harmDEF
Actual harm to residentsGHI
Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safetyJKL

Source: the scope and severity grid Medicare (CMS) uses for nursing home citations.

Most recent cycle: February 12, 2026 — no health citations

Inspections in this cycle: February 12, 2026 (standard health inspection).

Previous cycle: November 19, 2024 — 1 health citation

Inspections in this cycle: November 19, 2024 (standard health inspection).

Show 1 citation (levels A to F, no actual harm)
  • F0640 Level B November 19, 2024 · plan of correction accepted (December 13, 2024)

    “Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.”

Earlier cycle: December 6, 2023 — no health citations

Inspections in this cycle: December 6, 2023 (standard health inspection).

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 (20)
  • K0372 Level F February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.”

  • K0521 Level F February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.”

  • K0311 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.”

  • K0321 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”

  • K0342 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Have a complete alarm system manually initiated and initiated by fire sprinkler system connection.”

  • K0345 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”

  • K0712 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”

  • K0916 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel.”

  • K0918 Level D February 12, 2026 · corrected July 27, 2026

    “Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”

  • K0211 Level F November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.”

  • K0311 Level F November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.”

  • K0321 Level F November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”

  • K0541 Level F November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Install properly constructed and protected linen or trash chutes.”

  • K0700 Level F November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Meet requirements for operating features, such as evacuation plans, fire drills, smoking regulations, draperies, decorations and the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors.”

  • K0345 Level D November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”

  • K0372 Level D November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.”

  • K0400 Level D November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Meet fire sprinkler requirement for tall buildings.”

  • K0521 Level D November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.”

  • K0923 Level D November 19, 2024 · corrected March 31, 2025

    “Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”

  • K0918 Level E December 6, 2023 · corrected January 31, 2024

    “Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”

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.

MeasureThis homeNorth CarolinaNational
Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day0.120.620.69
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day1.640.880.86
Nurse aide hours per resident per day4.572.372.35
Total nurse staff hours per resident per day6.333.873.90
Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend5.553.403.43
RN hours per resident per day on the weekend0.030.410.48

Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.

Compare with other nursing homes

Key facts

TypeNursing home
Certified beds4
Average residents per day2.5
Takes part inMedicare
OwnershipNon-profit – corporation
First approved by Medicare/Medicaid2008-02-11
Part of a continuing care retirement communityYes
Resident and family councilsResident council
Sprinklers in all required areasYes
Changed ownership in the last 12 monthsNo
Address2701 Pickett Road, Durham, NC 27705
CountyDurham County
StateNorth Carolina
Phone(919) 490‑8000
CMS Certification Number345542
Name in Medicare recordsThe Forest At Duke Inc
CorrectionsReport 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).

Nearest hospital emergency rooms

Sources

  1. Provider Information — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  2. Medicare Care Compare — official Medicare profile of this provider
  3. Health Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  4. Fire Safety Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  5. Penalties — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  6. Ownership — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  7. State US Averages — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  8. Survey Summary — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  9. Citation Code Look-up — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
  10. Inspection Dates — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13