Safety Report: Salem Lutheran Home

Elk Horn, Iowa · 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)
1Actual harm citations (severity G–I)
10Requirements cited on more than one inspection
G
Government finding: Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
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 22, 2026, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by June 5, 2026.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F760

Citations by topic

6Abuse, neglect & exploitation
4Infection control
6Medications & pharmacy
0Accidents & 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?

More citations in the most recent cycle (18) than in the cycle before (9).

Two cycles ago
none serious
Prior cycle
none serious
Most recent cycle
1 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
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (F880)4August 13, 2026; June 26, 2025; August 11, 2024; May 15, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. (F842)3August 13, 2026; May 22, 2026; August 11, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (F812)2August 13, 2026; August 11, 2024
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. (F761)2August 13, 2026; May 22, 2026
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. (F760)2August 13, 2026; May 22, 2026
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. (F725)2May 22, 2026; May 15, 2024
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. (F609)2May 22, 2026; June 26, 2025
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (F550)2May 22, 2026; December 15, 2025
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. (F644)2June 26, 2025; August 11, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (F658)2October 22, 2024; August 11, 2024

Fines and enforcement

DateTypeAmount / length
May 22, 2026Fine$15,260

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

Complete inspection history

39 citations across 8 inspection dates.

August 13, 2026 — 8 citations
E
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 · Pattern · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected September 11, 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 September 11, 2026
D
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F842 · corrected September 11, 2026
D
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 · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected September 11, 2026
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 · corrected September 11, 2026
D
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F759 · corrected September 11, 2026
D
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F628 · corrected September 11, 2026
D
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F605 · corrected September 11, 2026
May 22, 2026 — 8 citations (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F760 · complaint · corrected June 5, 2026
D
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F842 · complaint · corrected June 5, 2026
D
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 · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · complaint · corrected June 5, 2026
D
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F725 · complaint · corrected June 5, 2026
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 June 5, 2026
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 June 5, 2026
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 June 5, 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 · complaint · corrected June 5, 2026
December 15, 2025 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
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 · complaint · corrected December 22, 2025
October 8, 2025 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
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 · complaint · corrected October 10, 2025
June 26, 2025 — 7 citations
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 July 11, 2025
D
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F695 · corrected July 11, 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 · complaint · corrected July 11, 2025
D
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F644 · corrected July 11, 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 July 11, 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 · corrected July 11, 2025
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F584 · corrected July 11, 2025
October 22, 2024 — 2 citations · complaint investigation
E
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F658 · complaint · corrected November 1, 2024
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 November 1, 2024
August 11, 2024 — 10 citations
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 September 5, 2024
E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected September 5, 2024
E
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F842 · corrected September 5, 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 September 5, 2024
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F758 · corrected September 5, 2024
D
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F658 · corrected September 5, 2024
D
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F657 · corrected September 5, 2024
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 September 5, 2024
D
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F644 · corrected September 5, 2024
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F625 · corrected September 5, 2024
May 15, 2024 — 2 citations · complaint investigation
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 May 31, 2024
D
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F725 · complaint · corrected May 31, 2024

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

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