Safety Report: Birchwood Health Care Center

Forest Lake, Minnesota · 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

2Immediate jeopardy citations (severity J–L)
2Actual harm citations (severity G–I)
5Requirements cited on more than one inspection
J
Government finding: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors rated this “immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of June 12, 2026. Facility reported correction by June 11, 2026.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F684
J
Government finding: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors rated this “immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of November 13, 2025, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by November 9, 2025.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689
G
Government finding: Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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 9, 2024. Facility reported correction by March 11, 2024.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F686
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 January 10, 2024, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by February 3, 2024.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689

Citations by topic

1Abuse, neglect & exploitation
5Infection control
2Medications & 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?

More citations in the most recent cycle (11) than in the cycle before (5).

Two cycles ago
2 serious
Prior cycle
none 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)5May 6, 2026; November 13, 2025; February 9, 2024; January 10, 2024; January 4, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (F880)3June 12, 2026; December 19, 2025; February 9, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. (F684)2June 12, 2026; February 9, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. (F550)2June 12, 2026; February 9, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. (F677)2April 10, 2025; February 9, 2024

Fines and enforcement

DateTypeAmount / length
May 6, 2026Payment DenialPayment denial for 14 days, starting July 16, 2026
May 6, 2026Fine$90,790
November 13, 2025Fine$10,519
February 9, 2024Fine$29,234
January 4, 2024Fine$9,103

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

Complete inspection history

38 citations across 9 inspection dates.

June 12, 2026 — 7 citations (includes serious)
J
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F684 · corrected June 11, 2026
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 July 28, 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 July 28, 2026
D
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F698 · corrected July 28, 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 July 28, 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 July 28, 2026
B
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
No actual harm, potential for minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F582 · corrected July 28, 2026
May 6, 2026 — 1 citation · 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 June 11, 2026
December 19, 2025 — 1 citation · 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 January 23, 2026
November 13, 2025 — 2 citations (includes serious) · complaint investigation
J
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected November 9, 2025
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 January 9, 2026
April 10, 2025 — 5 citations
D
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Infection Control Deficiencies · F881 · corrected May 27, 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 May 27, 2025
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 May 27, 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 · complaint · corrected May 27, 2025
D
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F558 · corrected May 27, 2025
February 9, 2024 — 14 citations (includes serious)
G
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F686 · corrected March 11, 2024
F
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Administration Deficiencies · F867 · corrected March 11, 2024
F
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F730 · corrected March 11, 2024
F
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F727 · corrected March 11, 2024
F
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 · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F725 · corrected March 11, 2024
E
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Infection Control Deficiencies · F883 · corrected March 11, 2024
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 11, 2024
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 March 11, 2024
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 11, 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 March 11, 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 11, 2024
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 March 11, 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 · corrected March 11, 2024
C
Post nurse staffing information every day.
No actual harm, potential for minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F732 · corrected March 11, 2024
January 10, 2024 — 6 citations (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 3, 2024
D
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F726 · complaint · corrected February 3, 2024
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 · complaint · corrected February 3, 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 · complaint · corrected February 3, 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 3, 2024
D
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F655 · complaint · corrected February 3, 2024
January 4, 2024 — 1 citation · 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 February 3, 2024
December 6, 2023 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
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 December 27, 2023

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

Compare