Fairway Oaks Center

Fairway Oaks Center holds an overall 2-star rating from CMS, which places it below average compared to other nursing homes nationwide. That overall score is built from three separate ratings that each measure something different. The health inspection rating, also 2 stars, reflects that state inspectors have cited the facility for a above-average number or severity of violations during their on-site reviews - something families should take seriously, since inspections are designed to catch real gaps in safety and care practices. The staffing rating is also 2 stars, meaning nurses and aides are spending fewer hours per resident than what's typical at most facilities, which can translate to longer waits for help, less individual attention, and staff who are stretched thin.

The one relative bright spot is the quality measures rating, which comes in at 3 stars, or average. This score is based on 15 clinical indicators - things like whether residents are experiencing pain, losing mobility, or developing infections - and sitting at average here suggests that resident health outcomes aren't as concerning as some of the other numbers might imply. Still, with two of the three building blocks rated below average, the overall 2-star score is a fair reflection of where the facility stands. Families considering Fairway Oaks would be wise to tour in person, ask about staffing levels on evenings and weekends, and review the actual inspection reports on the CMS Care Compare website to understand the specifics behind those citations.

Staffing at Fairway Oaks Center is a bit of a mixed picture compared to other Florida nursing homes. On the registered nurse side, residents here receive about 0.60 RN hours per day, which is actually slightly above the Florida average of 0.52 hours. In practical terms, that means a little more time with a higher-skilled nurse for things like assessments, wound care, and medication management. However, when you look at total nursing hours across all staff, the number dips to 3.29 hours per resident per day, compared to the statewide average of 3.87 hours. That gap matters on a busy floor, because total nursing hours include the CNAs and aides who handle the hands-on daily care like bathing, meals, and repositioning. Families should keep in mind that a lower total hours figure can mean staff are stretched thinner during peak times, even if the RN coverage looks solid on paper.

Fairway Oaks Center has a below-average health inspection rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which tells you that inspectors have found more concerns here than at a typical Florida facility. That said, the facility has no government penalties on record and has never been fined, meaning no violation has risen to the level where regulators felt the need to take formal action. For families, this is a mixed picture - the inspection rating is worth paying attention to and warrants a closer look at the specific deficiencies cited, but the absence of penalties is genuinely a positive sign. It would be worth asking the facility directly about recent inspection findings and what steps they have taken to address them. You can compare this facility's record against others in Tampa on the Tampa nursing homes and assisted living page.

1. How many residents does each certified nursing assistant typically care for during the day shift, and how does that number change at night and on weekends?
2. How long have most of your floor nurses and aides been working here, and what does your staff turnover look like over the past year?
3. If my loved one falls or has a medical emergency during the night, walk me through exactly what happens from the moment staff are alerted to when a family member gets a call.
4. Can I come back unannounced at different times of day to visit, and are there any restrictions on when family can be here?
5. How do you handle a resident who refuses a meal, seems withdrawn, or starts acting differently than usual - who notices it, who decides something is wrong, and who contacts the family?
6. What does a typical Tuesday look like for a resident who is mobile but needs some help with daily activities - from when they wake up to when they go to bed?

For more guidance on evaluating facilities, see our guide to questions to ask when choosing a Florida nursing home.