Safety Report: Stephenson Nursing Center

Freeport, Illinois · Based on official CMS inspection records as of October 1, 2026.

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How to read this report. Every nursing home receives some citations. One citation does not mean a facility is unsafe. Look at how serious the findings were, whether the same problems keep coming back, and whether things are getting better or worse. Learn how inspections work.

Official ratings

Overall★★★★★
Health inspections★★★★★
Staffing★★★★★
Quality measures★★★★★
Long-stay quality★★★★★
Short-stay quality★★★★★

Medicare's star ratings compare nursing homes within the same state for health inspections. A 5-star facility performed better than most in its state; a 1-star facility performed worse than most.

Stars are calculated by CMS, not by us. We do not create our own safety score.

Serious documented violations

0Immediate jeopardy citations (severity J–L)
5Actual harm citations (severity G–I)
9Requirements cited on more than one inspection
G
Government finding: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of March 17, 2026, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by February 27, 2026.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689
G
Government finding: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of February 26, 2026. Facility reported correction by March 6, 2026.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689
G
Government finding: Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of June 4, 2025, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by June 20, 2025.
Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F628
G
Government finding: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of May 27, 2025, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by June 2, 2025.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689
G
Government finding: Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of February 4, 2025. Facility reported correction by February 28, 2025.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F697

Citations by topic

9Abuse, neglect & exploitation
3Infection control
4Medications & pharmacy
5Accidents & supervision

Topics use CMS's own deficiency categories; “accidents & supervision” counts tag F689 (free of accident hazards / adequate supervision). Counts cover the last three inspection cycles, including complaint investigations.

Is it getting better or worse?

Fewer citations in the most recent cycle (11) than in the cycle before (15).

Two cycles ago
none serious
Prior cycle
3 serious
Most recent cycle
2 serious

An inspection cycle is roughly one year and includes the standard inspection plus complaint investigations. Counts depend partly on how many complaint investigations occurred, so treat small changes with caution. Red bars include at least one serious citation.

Staffing and rating trends will appear as we collect monthly CMS releases. We have one month so far, so a staffing trend cannot yet be determined.

Repeat findings

These requirements were cited on more than one inspection date in the last three cycles.

RequirementTimes citedInspection dates
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (F689)5March 17, 2026; February 26, 2026; May 27, 2025; July 2, 2024; January 9, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. (F686)4July 7, 2026; February 26, 2026; February 4, 2025; January 18, 2024
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (F609)4February 4, 2025; July 2, 2024; April 30, 2024; January 9, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (F880)3July 7, 2026; February 26, 2026; January 18, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (F812)3February 26, 2026; February 4, 2025; January 18, 2024
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. (F690)2February 26, 2026; February 4, 2025
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident. (F803)2February 4, 2025; January 18, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. (F684)2February 4, 2025; January 18, 2024
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. (F610)2April 30, 2024; January 9, 2024

Fines and enforcement

DateTypeAmount / length
February 26, 2026Fine$18,450
February 4, 2025Payment DenialPayment denial for 114 days, starting February 26, 2025

Federal civil money penalties and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials. State-level penalties may not be included.

Complete inspection history

42 citations across 12 inspection dates.

July 7, 2026 — 2 citations · complaint investigation
E
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F686 · complaint · corrected July 13, 2026
D
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · complaint · corrected July 13, 2026
March 17, 2026 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected February 27, 2026
February 26, 2026 — 8 citations (includes serious)
G
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · corrected March 6, 2026
F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected March 6, 2026
D
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected March 6, 2026
D
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F757 · corrected March 6, 2026
D
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F690 · corrected March 6, 2026
D
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F686 · corrected March 6, 2026
D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · corrected March 6, 2026
D
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F550 · corrected March 6, 2026
June 4, 2025 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F628 · complaint · corrected June 20, 2025
May 27, 2025 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected June 2, 2025
April 3, 2025 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F755 · complaint · corrected April 11, 2025
February 4, 2025 — 12 citations (includes serious)
G
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F697 · corrected February 28, 2025
F
Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F947 · corrected February 28, 2025
F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected February 7, 2025
E
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F604 · corrected March 7, 2025
D
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F803 · corrected February 7, 2025
D
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F690 · corrected February 28, 2025
D
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F686 · corrected February 28, 2025
D
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F684 · corrected February 28, 2025
D
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F677 · corrected February 28, 2025
D
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F609 · complaint · corrected February 28, 2025
D
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F607 · complaint · corrected February 28, 2025
D
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F602 · complaint · corrected February 28, 2025
July 2, 2024 — 2 citations · complaint investigation
D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected July 19, 2024
D
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F609 · complaint · corrected July 19, 2024
April 30, 2024 — 2 citations · complaint investigation
D
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F610 · complaint · corrected May 13, 2024
D
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F609 · complaint · corrected May 13, 2024
January 18, 2024 — 7 citations
F
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected February 10, 2024
F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected February 10, 2024
E
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F803 · corrected February 10, 2024
E
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected February 10, 2024
D
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F686 · corrected February 10, 2024
D
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F684 · corrected March 7, 2024
D
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F583 · corrected February 10, 2024
January 9, 2024 — 4 citations · complaint investigation
D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected January 21, 2024
D
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F610 · complaint · corrected January 21, 2024
D
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F609 · complaint · corrected January 21, 2024
D
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F580 · complaint · corrected January 21, 2024
December 12, 2023 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F760 · complaint · corrected December 19, 2023

Source: CMS Health Deficiencies dataset (data as of October 1, 2026); full inspection narratives on Medicare Care Compare

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