Inspection Reports for Elkader Care Center

116 Reimer Street SW, IA, 520439558

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Inspection Report Summary

The most recent inspection on December 18, 2025 found the facility to be in substantial compliance with no deficiencies cited. Earlier inspections showed a mixed record with some deficiencies related to staff training, background checks, medication administration, nutrition, and care planning. Prior issues included failure to complete required Dependent Adult Abuse training and background checks for some staff, as well as documentation and procedural gaps in psychotropic drug use and dietary services. Complaint investigations during this period were mostly unsubstantiated or found the facility in substantial compliance, with no enforcement actions or fines listed in the available reports. The facility’s inspection history suggests improvement over time, with recent surveys showing compliance following correction of earlier deficiencies.

Deficiencies (last 6 years)

Deficiencies (over 6 years) 1.2 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.

73% better than Iowa average
Iowa average: 4.4 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies per year

4 3 2 1 0
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025

Census

Latest occupancy rate 29 residents

Based on a August 2023 inspection.

This facility has shown a decline in demand based on occupancy rates.

Census over time

20 25 30 35 40 45 Jul 2021 Jun 2022 Aug 2023

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Dec 18, 2025

Visit Reason
An annual recertification survey and investigation of complaints #2651886-C and #2655837-C were conducted from December 15, 2025 to December 18, 2025.

Complaint Details
Investigation of complaints #2651886-C and #2655837-C was conducted during the survey.
Findings
The facility was found to be in substantial compliance.

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Oct 2, 2025

Visit Reason
A complaint investigation for complaint #1697365-C was conducted from September 26, 2025 to October 2, 2025.

Complaint Details
Complaint #1697365-C was investigated and the facility was found to be in substantial compliance.
Findings
The facility was found to be in substantial compliance.

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 0 Date: May 5, 2025

Visit Reason
Investigation of complaint #128264-C completed on 5/5/25.

Complaint Details
Complaint #128264-C was investigated and found to have no deficiencies; the complaint was not substantiated.
Findings
The facility was found to be in substantial compliance at the time of the survey. No deficiency was cited related to complaint #128264-C.

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Dec 5, 2024

Visit Reason
An annual recertification survey was conducted from December 2, 2024 to December 5, 2024.

Findings
The facility was found to be in substantial compliance.

Inspection Report

Re-Inspection
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Nov 18, 2024

Visit Reason
An onsite revisit was conducted on 11/18/24 regarding the investigation of complaints #124129-C and #124187-C conducted from October 17, 2024 to October 24, 2024.

Complaint Details
The visit was related to complaints #124129-C and #124187-C. The facility was found in substantial compliance and all deficiencies were corrected.
Findings
All deficiencies identified in the prior complaint investigations have been corrected and the facility was found in substantial compliance with all regulations surveyed effective October 25, 2024.

Report Facts
Complaint investigation dates: Complaints investigated from October 17, 2024 to October 24, 2024

Inspection Report

Plan of Correction
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Oct 3, 2023

Visit Reason
The document serves as a Plan of Correction following acceptance of a credible allegation of substantial compliance by the facility.

Findings
The facility was found to be in substantial compliance and will be certified in compliance effective September 30, 2023.

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Census: 29 Deficiencies: 2 Date: Aug 30, 2023

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as the facility's annual recertification survey and investigation of a reported incident #112338-I from August 27 to August 30, 2023.

Complaint Details
The facility reported incident #112338-I was investigated and found not substantiated.
Findings
The facility was found not to have substantiated the reported incident. Deficiencies were identified related to failure to ensure staff completed required Dependent Adult Abuse training within six months of hire and failure to complete Single Contact Repository (SING) background checks prior to hiring for some staff members.

Deficiencies (2)
Failure to ensure 1 of 5 staff members completed the two-hour Dependent Adult Abuse training within 6 months of hire date.
Failure to complete Single Contact Repository (SING) background checks prior to hire on 2 of 5 staff members.
Report Facts
Census: 29 Staff members reviewed: 5

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Amy HickieAdministratorReported no record of dependent adult abuse mandatory reporter training for Staff A and verified background checks for Staff B and Staff C
Staff ACertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Lacked documentation of Dependent Adult Abuse training
Staff BCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Had incomplete background checks prior to hire
Staff CCertified Nursing Assistant (CNA)Had incomplete background checks prior to hire

Inspection Report

Plan of Correction
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Jun 28, 2022

Visit Reason
The document serves as a statement of deficiencies and plan of correction for Elkader Care Center, certifying the facility in compliance effective June 28, 2022, based on acceptance of a credible allegation of compliance and plan of correction.

Findings
The facility was certified in compliance effective June 28, 2022, based on acceptance of the credible allegation of compliance and plan of correction. No specific deficiencies or severity levels are detailed in the report.

Inspection Report

Annual Inspection
Census: 37 Deficiencies: 3 Date: Jun 16, 2022

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as the facility's annual recertification survey from June 13, 2022 to June 16, 2022.

Findings
The facility was found deficient in ensuring psychotropic drugs were administered only when necessary with proper documentation of non-pharmacological interventions prior to administration. Additionally, deficiencies were noted in menu preparation and nutritional adequacy, and in maintaining a quality assessment and assurance committee with required attendance.

Deficiencies (3)
Failure to attempt and document non-pharmacological and behavioral interventions prior to administration of as needed anxiolytic medication for Resident #10.
Failure to provide correct serving amounts as planned on the menu for pureed diets.
Failure to maintain a quality assessment and assurance committee with required meeting frequency and member attendance.
Report Facts
Facility census: 37 Dates of survey: 4 Number of servings observed: 4 Medication order start date: Jan 19, 2022

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Director of NursingDirector of NursingCompleted education with nurses on PRN anxiolytic medication interventions and monitoring compliance
Dietary SupervisorDietary SupervisorProvided education to cooks on measuring blended food items and proper serving size; involved in meal preparation observations
AdministratorAdministratorMonitors compliance with quality assessment and assurance committee meetings

Inspection Report

Plan of Correction
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Jul 12, 2021

Visit Reason
The document reflects acceptance of the facility's credible allegation of compliance and plan of correction for regulatory compliance.

Findings
The facility was certified in compliance effective 7/12/21 based on acceptance of the plan of correction; no specific deficiencies or severity levels are detailed in the report.

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 32 Deficiencies: 2 Date: Jul 1, 2021

Visit Reason
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals conducted a Medicare Recertification Survey and investigation of a facility reported incident to determine compliance with Medicare Conditions of Participation.

Complaint Details
Facility Reported Incident #98199-I was reviewed and found not substantiated.
Findings
The facility was found to be not in compliance due to failure to develop and implement a behavior-related care plan for one resident and failure to complete nursing assessments and monitoring after outpatient dialysis for one resident. The facility reported a census of 32 residents.

Deficiencies (2)
Failed to develop and implement a behavior related care plan for 1 of 3 residents reviewed (Resident #20).
Failed to complete nursing assessments and monitoring of residents after outpatient dialysis for 1 of 1 resident that received dialysis services (Resident #1).
Report Facts
Total residents: 32 Residents reviewed for behavior care plan deficiency: 3 Residents reviewed for dialysis deficiency: 1

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Ian BenzingAdministratorSigned the plan of correction on July 12, 2021

Inspection Report

Abbreviated Survey
Deficiencies: 0 Date: Jun 16, 2020

Visit Reason
A COVID-19 Focused Infection Control Survey was conducted by the Department of Inspection and Appeals on 6/16/20 to assess the facility's compliance with CMS and CDC recommended practices for COVID-19 preparation.

Findings
The facility was found to be in compliance with CMS and CDC recommended practices to prepare for COVID-19.

Report

Dec 18, 2025

Report

Dec 5, 2024

Report

Nov 7, 2024

Report

Oct 24, 2024

Report

Aug 30, 2023

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