The 10 Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa

  Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa By City

Every city in Iowa has its own set of challenges and standards when it comes to nursing home care. To help you find the information most relevant to your location, we've compiled city-specific rankings of the worst-rated nursing homes. Click on the links below to explore the detailed lists for each city.

Worst Nursing Homes in Des Moines

• Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation (470.333)
• Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-11-16)
• Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. (2024-11-16)
• Via of Des Moines (316.167)
• Conduct testing and exercise requirements. (2024-10-01)
• Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2024-09-27)
• Azria Health Park Place (148.667)
• Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2024-12-13)
• Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). (2024-12-13)
• Puget Sound Transitional Care (148.667)
• 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. (2024-07-17)
• 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. (2024-07-17)
• Wesley Homes Health Center (142.667)
• Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. (2024-12-17)
• Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. (2024-12-17)
• Judson Park Health Center (103.333)
• The resident has the right to receive notices in a format and a language he or she understands. (2024-06-17)
• Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. (2024-06-17)
• Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines (66.667)
• Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. (2024-11-17)
• Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. (2024-11-17)
• Trinity Center at Luther Park (58.167)
• Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge. (2024-11-22)
• Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. (2024-11-22)
• Valley View Village (55)
• Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2024-08-08)
• Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (2024-06-30)
• University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (54.667)
• Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. (2024-04-25)
• Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2024-04-24)

Worst Nursing Homes in Davenport

• Ivy at Davenport (361.5)
• Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. (2024-09-04)
• Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. (2024-09-04)
• Ridgecrest Village (149.667)
• Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months. (2024-10-24)
• Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-10-24)
• Harmony Utica Ridge (121.667)
• Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2024-08-30)
• Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. (2024-06-27)
• Davenport Lutheran Home (96)
• 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. (2024-11-26)
• 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. (2024-11-26)
• Harmony Davenport (79.333)
• Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-12-20)
• Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (2024-12-20)
• Davenport Nursing and Rehab Center (38)
• Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2024-12-20)
• Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. (2023-11-04)
• Good Samaritan Society - Davenport (38)
• Provide properly protected cooking facilities. (2025-02-22)
• Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. (2025-02-07)
• Kahl Home For The Aged and Infirmed (18.667)
• 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. (2024-06-18)
• Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (2024-06-18)

Worst Nursing Homes in Cedar Rapids

• Heritage Specialty Care (149.5)
• Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (2024-12-13)
• Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. (2024-12-13)
• Northbrook Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (117.5)
• Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. (2024-10-24)
• Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. (2024-10-16)
• Harmony Cedar Rapids (113.333)
• PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities (2025-01-31)
• Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-12-01)
• Living Center West (113.333)
• Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. (2025-01-10)
• Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (2025-01-10)
• The Gardens of Cedar Rapids (50)
• Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. (2025-02-19)
• Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. (2025-02-14)
• Cottage Grove Place (40)
• Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. (2024-10-30)
• 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. (2024-10-30)
• St Luke's Helen G Nassif Transitional Care Center (20.667)
• Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (2025-02-07)
• Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted (2024-04-19)
• Meth-Wick Health Center (7.333)
• To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. (2024-08-26)
• Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2023-12-05)
• West Ridge Care Center (7.333)
• Provide a written emergency evacuation plan. (2025-01-02)
• Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. (2024-12-30)

Worst Nursing Homes in Iowa City

• Iowa City Rehab and Health Care (195.833)
• Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. (2025-02-07)
• Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (2024-08-06)
• Briarwood Healthcare Center (16.667)
• Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2024-10-23)
• Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. (2024-10-23)
• Oaknoll Retirement Residence (12.667)
• Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. (2024-09-06)
• Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke. (2024-09-06)

Worst Nursing Homes in Waterloo

• Ravenwood Specialty Care (69.833)
• Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2024-11-28)
• Conduct testing and exercise requirements. (2024-11-28)
• Northcrest Specialty Care (62)
• Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident?s preferences and goals. (2024-11-12)
• Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services. (2024-05-11)
• Friendship Village Retirement (58)
• Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. (2024-10-22)
• Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. (2024-10-22)
• Pillar of Cedar Valley (43.333)
• Use approved construction type or materials. (2024-11-12)
• Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (2024-10-31)
• Oak Hill (42.667)
• Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours. (2024-10-20)
• Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. (2024-10-20)
• Harmony Waterloo (40.667)
• Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. (2025-02-10)
• Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. (2025-02-10)
• Harmony House Health Care Cent (27.333)
• Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (2024-10-12)
• Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (2024-10-12)
• Seneca Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, L L C (21.333)
• Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (2023-08-15)
• Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. (2023-08-15)

  Related Lists and Resources

While it's important to be aware of the lowest-rated facilities, we also provide resources to help you find the best care available. Check out our other lists to find top-rated nursing homes and facilities that excel in specific areas.

• Best Nursing Homes in Iowa
• Analysis of Nursing Homes in Iowa

  Making Informed Decisions

Understanding our rankings and how they are derived can empower you to make better choices for your loved ones. Remember, a low rating in one area doesn't necessarily mean a facility is entirely unsuitable; it's a starting point for further investigation.

  Tips for Evaluating Nursing Homes in Iowa:

• Schedule visits to potential facilities
• Speak with staff and residents
• Review recent inspection reports
• Consider the specific needs of your loved one

Disclaimer: NursingHomeDatabase.com does not have a relationship, either commercial or otherwise, with any of the skilled nursing facilities referred to on this site. This is an independent resource that tries to make more and better information available to the public.

  More Resources for Families

Navigating the world of nursing home care can be overwhelming. Here are some resources to help you make the best decisions for your family:

• The Role of Family in Nursing Home Care
• Navigating Medicaid for Nursing Home Care
• How to Handle a Nursing Home Discharge
• Understanding Nursing Home Ratings and What They Mean
• Questions to Ask During a Nursing Home Visit

  How We Compile Nursing Home Ratings in Iowa

Every month, we rank all of the skilled nursing facilities in Iowa. These rankings are based on data provided by The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid measures ("CMS"), including the CMS 5-Star Rating System and the Health Inspection Scores. The list of the Worst Skilled Nursing Facilities in Iowa is based on the weighted overall health inspection score which is a composite of CMS's three most recent skilled nursing home inspection scores weighted to give the most recent inspection more importance.

The CMS 5-Star Rating System rates skilled nursing facilities from one to five stars, with one star being the lowest and five stars being the highest. The rating system also rates Iowa nursing homes across five different dimensions including overall rating, health inspection rating, quality measures rating, overall staffing rating, and RN staffing rating (RN is an acronym for Registered Nurse).

In addition to the 5-Star Rating System, CMS provides numerical metrics that summarize:

• Health Inspection Domain. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys for each nursing home, results from any complaint investigations during the most recent three-year period, and any repeat revisits needed to verify that required corrections have brought the facility back into compliance. CMS calculates a weighted deficiency score based on points assigned to health deficiencies identified in each active provider’s current health inspection survey and the two prior surveys (including revisits), as well as deficiency findings from the most recent three years of complaint investigations. More recent surveys are weighted more heavily than older surveys: the most recent period (cycle 1) is assigned a weighting factor of 1/2, the previous period (cycle 2) has a weighting factor of 1/3, and the second prior survey (cycle 3) has a weighting factor of 1/6. The weighted time period scores are then summed to create the survey score for each facility.
• Staffing Domain. Using multiple reporting methods, CMS calculates the amount of time that the nursing staff spends with residents. This is measured across multiple dimensions, one each for three different levels of nursing, including Registered Nurses (“RNs”), Licensed Practical Nurses (“LPNs”), and Certified Nursing Assistants (“CNAs”), plus one metric that totals all contributions. These metrics are expressed in hours per resident per day. CMS also provides state-level and national averages for the metrics to allow for additional comparisons.
• Quality Measures Domain. A set of quality measures (QMs) has been developed from MDS-based indicators to describe the quality of care provided in nursing homes. These measures address a broad range of functioning and health status in multiple care areas. The facility rating for the QM domain is based on performance on a subset of 11 (out of 18) of the QMs. Ratings for the QM domain are calculated using the three most recent quarters for which data are available. This time period specification was selected to increase the number of assessments available for calculating the QM rating, increasing the stability of estimates and reducing the number of facilities that do not have enough data to report QM ratings.
• Abuse Flag. Abuse is always a concern in skilled nursing facilities. To highlight the issue, CMS has extracted this feature as its own flag. Facilities with an actual abuse event or where the potential for abuse has been shown for the past two years are flagged. The Health Inspection Score is capped at 2-stars for nursing homes that have been flagged for abuse.

Skilled nursing facilities that are new and do not have at least two surveys completed are not rated by CMS. These facilities may have health inspection scores that can be used to evaluate the facility.

One complication in Iowa nursing home inspections is the COVID-19 pandemic. Although inspections should be performed every 12 months, COVID has decreased this frequency. While CMS admits that only in “rare cases” do these inspections increase to 15 months, our analysis suggests that this time frame may be even longer. This report shows that the time between inspections is now just under 500 days (more than sixteen months). There are now hundreds of skilled nursing homes in the United States that have not been inspected in more than 24 months. This list shows the skilled nursing homes with the longest period since being inspected. According to the CMS data, these homes have not been inspected since 2018!