The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited January 2025 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: G
Nursing home report
Cherokee Specialty Care
Cherokee, IA · Medicare-certified · 62 beds
In good standing
Non-profitChain member
2 of 5 overall
2 out of 5 stars overall. Cherokee Specialty Care has a 2-star health inspection rating, 3-star staffing and quality ratings, no fines in the last 24 months, and reported nurse staffing of 3.58 hours per resident per day, below the federal benchmark of 4.1; recent cited issues included accident hazards/supervision, significant medication errors, and food temperature/palatability.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
3.5833 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: May 22, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $0
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 3.5833.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.36
- Licensed practical nurses
- 0.66
- Nurse aides
- 2.56
- Weekend nursing
- 3.33
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 49%
Registered nurse turnover: 40%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
59.5%59.3%No change
Residents with a fall causing major injury
4.4%2.4%Improving
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
7.5%2.4%Improving
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0%0%No change
Residents who lost too much weight
2.3%2.8%No change
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
14.3%19.4%Worsening
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
12.1%21.3%Worsening
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
34.1%33.3%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
—0%—
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%4.5%Worsening
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
17.1%26.1%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
10%17.6%Worsening
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—98%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
100%100%No change
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
—90.5%—
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to ensure residents were free from significant medication errors. Cited July 2023 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 760 — 42 CFR §483.45(f)(2) — S/S: G
The home failed to make food and drinks appealing and served them at a safe, appetizing temperature. Cited May 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 804 — 42 CFR §483.60 — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to make sure its quality review group had the required members and met at least every three months. Cited July 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 868 — 42 CFR §483.75 — S/S: E
The home failed to make sure food was safely sourced, stored, prepared, and served according to professional standards. Cited May 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 812 — 42 CFR §483.60(i) — S/S: E
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 3 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 7 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 8 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
Penalties & enforcement
On record with Medicare: 1 fine · $8,190 in total fines.
- $8,190
Federal fine
Jul 10, 2023
Operator & ownership
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Chain
- Part of CARE INITIATIVES · 43 homes · 3.1 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 42.6 residents on an average day (69% of 62 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident council
- Medicare history
- Certified for 28 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.