Safety Report: Northcrest Specialty Care

Waterloo, Iowa · Based on official CMS inspection records as of October 1, 2026.

Back to facility
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)
9Requirements cited on more than one inspection
G
Government finding: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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 October 1, 2024, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by October 14, 2024.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F684

Citations by topic

0Abuse, neglect & exploitation
4Infection control
1Medications & pharmacy
2Accidents & 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 (11) than in the cycle before (9).

Two cycles ago
none serious
Prior cycle
1 serious
Most recent cycle
none 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 each resident receives an accurate assessment. (F641)3February 12, 2026; January 30, 2025; January 30, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (F689)2August 17, 2026; January 30, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (F550)2August 17, 2026; January 30, 2024
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area. (F919)2February 12, 2026; January 30, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (F880)2February 12, 2026; January 30, 2025
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months. (F636)2February 12, 2026; January 30, 2024
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. (F584)2February 12, 2026; January 30, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (F677)2June 4, 2025; January 30, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. (F684)2January 30, 2025; October 1, 2024

Fines and enforcement

No federal fines or payment denials in the last three years.

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

Complete inspection history

33 citations across 7 inspection dates.

August 17, 2026 — 4 citations · complaint investigation
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 September 16, 2026
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 September 16, 2026
D
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F554 · complaint · corrected September 16, 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 September 16, 2026
February 12, 2026 — 7 citations
E
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Environmental Deficiencies · F919 · corrected March 14, 2026
D
Have policies on smoking.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Environmental Deficiencies · F926 · corrected March 14, 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 14, 2026
D
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F641 · corrected March 14, 2026
D
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F640 · corrected March 14, 2026
D
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F636 · corrected March 14, 2026
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 · complaint · corrected March 14, 2026
June 4, 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 July 3, 2025
January 30, 2025 — 7 citations
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 March 1, 2025
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 March 1, 2025
D
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Infection Control Deficiencies · F887 · corrected March 1, 2025
D
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Infection Control Deficiencies · F883 · corrected March 1, 2025
D
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F692 · corrected March 1, 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 March 1, 2025
D
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F641 · corrected March 1, 2025
October 1, 2024 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F684 · complaint · corrected October 14, 2024
April 11, 2024 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F697 · complaint · corrected May 11, 2024
January 30, 2024 — 12 citations
E
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Environmental Deficiencies · F919 · complaint · corrected February 29, 2024
E
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F801 · corrected February 29, 2024
E
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 · Pattern · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F677 · complaint · corrected February 29, 2024
E
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F585 · corrected February 29, 2024
E
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F565 · corrected February 29, 2024
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 · corrected February 29, 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 · complaint · corrected February 29, 2024
D
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F636 · complaint · corrected February 29, 2024
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 · complaint · corrected February 29, 2024
D
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F578 · corrected February 29, 2024
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 February 29, 2024
B
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
No actual harm, potential for minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F641 · corrected February 29, 2024

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

Compare