Nursing home report
Spencer, IA · Medicare-certified · 79 beds
St Luke Lutheran Nursing Home in Spencer, IA has an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, with a 1-star health inspection rating despite 5-star staffing and 4-star quality measures. It has a recent federal penalty with $90,076 in fines, and reported nurse staffing of 3.86 hours per resident per day is below the 4.1 federal benchmark.
Health inspections
Staffing
3.8584 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 3.8584.
Hours per resident per day.
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents with a fall causing major injury
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
Residents with a urinary tract infection
Residents who lost too much weight
Residents who were physically restrained
Residents needing more help with daily activities
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
Residents with a long-term catheter
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
Residents with depressive symptoms
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited September 2025 — isolated incident, immediate jeopardy to residents.
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: J
The home failed to properly train staff about dementia care and how to recognize and report abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Cited September 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
F-Tag 943 — 42 CFR §483.95 — S/S: E
The home failed to ensure residents were treated with dignity and could make their own choices and communicate freely. Cited September 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
F-Tag 550 — 42 CFR §483.10(a) — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to provide and carry out an infection prevention and control program to help keep residents from getting or spreading infections. Cited August 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
F-Tag 880 — 42 CFR §483.80(a) — S/S: E
The home failed to honor residents’ choices about treatment, research participation, and advance care instructions. Cited August 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
F-Tag 578 — 42 CFR §483.10 — S/S: E
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
A federal fine of $81,679 was recorded.
Health inspection found 9 health deficiencies.
A federal payment denial was recorded.
A federal fine of $8,397 was recorded.
Health inspection found 7 health deficiencies.
Health inspection found 4 health deficiencies.
On record with Medicare: 2 fines · $90,076 in total fines · 1 payment denial.
Federal fine
Sep 4, 2025
Medicare/Medicaid payment denial
Aug 22, 2024
Federal fine
Aug 22, 2024
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.
