The nursing home failed to provide proper pressure ulcer care and failed to prevent new pressure sores from developing. Cited July 2024 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 686 — 42 CFR §483.25(b) — S/S: G
Nursing home report
Dubuque Specialty Care
Dubuque, IA · Medicare-certified · 84 beds
Needs attention
Non-profitChain member
2 of 5 overall
Dubuque Specialty Care in Dubuque, IA has an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, with 2-star health inspection and staffing ratings and a 3-star quality measures rating. Reported nurse staffing is 2.89 hours per resident per day, below the federal benchmark of 4.1, and the facility has had $53,372 in fines in the last 24 months along with a recent federal penalty.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
2.8946 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: July 30, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $53,372recent federal penalty
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 2.8946.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.48
- Licensed practical nurses
- 0.51
- Nurse aides
- 1.91
- Weekend nursing
- 2.54
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 61%
Registered nurse turnover: 75%
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
24.2%30.8%Worsening
Residents with a fall causing major injury
3.8%4.4%Worsening
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
0%0%No change
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0%0%No change
Residents who lost too much weight
2.3%0%Improving
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
7.5%10.3%Worsening
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
27.2%29.3%Worsening
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
27.9%25%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
—0%—
Residents with a long-term catheter
1.8%2.3%No change
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
23.9%31.1%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
7.1%3.4%Improving
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
—94.8%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
84.6%97.8%Improving
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—51.5%—
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
48.4%73.1%Improving
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited October 2023 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: G
The home failed to have a plan for how it would carry out quality improvement and oversight activities. Cited July 2025 — widespread issue, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 865 — 42 CFR §483.75 — S/S: F
The home failed to provide enough nursing staff each day and ensure a licensed nurse was in charge on every shift. Cited July 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 725 — 42 CFR §483.35 — S/S: E
The home failed to make sure food was safely sourced, stored, prepared, and served according to professional standards. Cited July 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 8 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- PENALTY
A federal payment denial was recorded.
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $53,372 was recorded.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 14 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
Penalties & enforcement
On record with Medicare: 1 fine · $53,372 in total fines · 1 payment denial.
- 16 days
Medicare/Medicaid payment denial
Jul 15, 2024
- $53,372
Federal fine
Jul 15, 2024
Operator & ownership
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Chain
- Part of CARE INITIATIVES · 43 homes · 3.1 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 50.8 residents on an average day (60% of 84 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident council
- Medicare history
- Certified for 32 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.