Nursing home report
Decorah, IA · Medicare-certified · 86 beds
The Highlands in Decorah, IA has a 2 out of 5 overall rating, with 2 out of 5 on health inspections, 4 out of 5 on staffing, and 3 out of 5 on quality measures. It has a recent federal penalty, $93,839 in fines over the last 24 months, and reported nurse staffing of 3.90 hours per resident per day versus the 4.1 federal benchmark.
Health inspections
Staffing
3.899 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 3.899.
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 pneumonia vaccine
The nursing home failed to provide appropriate treatment and care according to residents' orders, preferences, and goals. Cited December 2024 — isolated incident, immediate jeopardy to residents.
F-Tag 684 — 42 CFR §483.25 — S/S: J
The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited July 2024 — isolated incident, actual harm.
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: G
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 home failed to ensure there was enough outside ventilation in the area, through windows, mechanical systems, or both. Cited September 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
F-Tag 923 — 42 CFR §483.90 — S/S: E
The home failed to make sure each resident got a nourishing, balanced diet that met daily nutrition and special dietary needs. Cited July 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
F-Tag 800 — 42 CFR §483.60 — S/S: E
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
Health inspection found 2 health deficiencies.
Health inspection found 3 health deficiencies.
A federal fine of $50,211 was recorded.
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
A federal payment denial was recorded.
A federal fine of $43,628 was recorded.
On record with Medicare: 2 fines · $93,839 in total fines · 1 payment denial.
Federal fine
Dec 9, 2024
Medicare/Medicaid payment denial
Jul 25, 2024
Federal fine
Jul 25, 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.
