PlainNursing
CMS Nursing Home Compare · August 2026

Elm Crest Retirement Community

2104 12th Street, Harlan, IA 51537

Elm Crest Retirement Community, a 50-bed non profit - other nursing facility in Harlan, IA, holds a 2-star CMS overall rating - below the 3.0-star national average, ranking #251 of 385 rated homes in IA on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing above the national norm. 2 inspection findings reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.

CMS combines health inspections, nurse-staffing levels, and clinical quality measures into the overall star rating, read the components below; they often tell a sharper story than the headline.

Phone: 7127555174

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2 / 5
Below average · CMS overall · nat'l 3.0
#251 of 385
In-state rank among rated IA homes
3.99
About average · nurse hrs/day · nat'l 3.86
19
Inspection findings · 2 serious

The verdict

Elm Crest Retirement Community, a 50-bed non profit - other nursing facility in Harlan, IA, holds a 2-star CMS overall rating - below the 3.0-star national average, ranking #251 of 385 rated homes in IA on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing above the national norm. 2 inspection findings reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.

2 / 5
CMS overall · national 3.0
#251 of 385
In-state rank among rated IA homes
3.99
Nurse hrs/resident-day · national 3.86
19
Inspection findings · 2 serious

CMS force-curves overall stars within each state; read health, staffing, and quality sub-ratings alongside the headline.

In-state ownership mix · peer inventory

How 387 IA nursing homes split by ownership sector

This facility is recorded as Non profit - Other. Sector buckets collapse CMS ownership_type into For-profit, Nonprofit, and Government, orthogonal to the RN/LPN/CNA hour bar below.

Health Inspection

2/5

Staffing

3/5

Quality Measures

4/5

Long-Stay Quality

3/5

Facility Information

Provider Number
165372
Ownership
Non profit - Other
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
Beds
50
Residents
46
In Hospital
No
County
Shelby
Last Inspection
Jan 14, 2026

Staffing Data

How the 3.99 total nursing hours per resident-day are staffed:

RN Hours
0.74 (nat'l avg: 0.69)
LPN Hours
0.56
CNA Hours
2.69
Total Nursing Hours
3.99 (nat'l avg: 3.86)
PT Hours
0.03
Nursing Turnover
71.7%
RN Turnover
50.0%

What the CMS Record Reveals About Elm Crest Retirement Community

According to CMS Nursing Home Compare, Elm Crest Retirement Community ranks #251 of 385 rated nursing homes in IA on overall stars (tie-broken by health+staffing+quality, then fewer fines). Elm Crest Retirement Community operates 50 certified beds in Harlan, IA with approximately 46 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars (health inspection 2★ · staffing 3★ · quality 4★).

The inspection file contains 19 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 2 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. CMS has not levied any fines or payment denials against this facility. Reported nurse staffing runs 3.99 total hours per resident day (national average 3.86); RN hours specifically are 0.74 per resident day.

Classified as "Non profit - Other" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Elm Crest Retirement Community falls into a category where comparative context matters. Reported nursing staff turnover at this facility is 71.7% (CMS payroll-based measure).

Why sub-scores and the CMS methodology matter

The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results, staffing levels, and quality measures. Because CMS caps the overall score at the health-inspection tier and then adjusts up or down based on staffing and quality, the sub-scores often tell a sharper story than the headline star count alone, a 3-star facility with weak inspection history reads differently from one held back by thin staffing.

National research consistently shows that ownership structure, staffing hours, and turnover are the three operational levers that correlate most strongly with resident outcomes, ratings and fines are lagging indicators of those upstream choices. The staffing metric in particular is the one most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.

For families evaluating this facility, the CMS record should be read alongside a site visit, direct conversation with current residents and their families, and review of the state health department's most recent inspection report, the star rating is a starting point, not a verdict. All data on this page is sourced from CMS Provider Data and the Nursing Home Compare program; always verify the same record on Medicare.gov Care Compare and with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.

Deficiency History (19 most recent)

G - Isolated - Actual harm Jun 10, 2026 Tag: 0689

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Jan 14, 2026 Tag: 0812

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Corrected: Feb 12, 2026

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Jan 14, 2026 Tag: 0805

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Corrected: Feb 12, 2026

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Jan 14, 2026 Tag: 0804

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Corrected: Feb 12, 2026

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 13, 2025 Tag: 0689

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 6, 2026

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0695

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0688

Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0656

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0636

Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0550

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0880

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Category: Infection Control Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0812

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

G - Isolated - Actual harm Nov 14, 2024 Tag: 0689

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Dec 3, 2024

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Jul 21, 2024 Tag: 0684

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Aug 21, 2024

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Jul 21, 2024 Tag: 0657

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Aug 21, 2024

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Oct 5, 2023 Tag: 0755

Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Corrected: Nov 3, 2023

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Oct 5, 2023 Tag: 0689

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Nov 3, 2023

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Oct 5, 2023 Tag: 0880

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Category: Infection Control Deficiencies

Corrected: Nov 3, 2023

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Oct 5, 2023 Tag: 0812

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Corrected: Nov 3, 2023

Quality Measures

Measure Type Score Used in Rating
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay 32.8% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay 0.0% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay 4.0% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay 1.9% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay 32.3% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay 3.7% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay 13.4% Yes
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay 0.0% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight Long Stay 1.6% No
Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms Long Stay 2.2% No
Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained Long Stay 0.0% No
Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine Long Stay 97.4% No
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication Long Stay 8.4% No
Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine Long Stay 90.0% No
Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence Long Stay 29.6% No
Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine Short Stay 89.6% No
Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine Short Stay 81.1% No

Penalty History

Date Type Amount
Nov 14, 2024 Payment Denial -

Nationwide facilities with similar scale or staffing

Two data-derived peer sets for Elm Crest Retirement Community, both outside IA so the neighborhoods are not the same-state geography list below.

What the CMS records show for Elm Crest Retirement Community

The health, staffing, and quality sub-ratings above often diverge from the CMS overall headline. Use those components and the inspection findings to read the full file, not the overall star alone.

  • The IA registry aggregates state averages and the highest-rated homes in this cohort. View IA registry
  • Peer homes near 50 beds show how CMS stars vary at a similar scale in IA. Compare a similar-size peer
  • CMS publishes separate fields for inspections, nurse staffing hours, and quality measures; the guide explains how each star is computed. How CMS ratings work

CMS refreshes Nursing Home Compare quarterly (current extract: August 2026). PlainNursing describes published records; it does not establish suitability, availability, admissions, or individual outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall CMS rating for Elm Crest Retirement Community?
Elm Crest Retirement Community has an overall CMS rating of 2 out of 5 stars. This rating combines health inspection results (2★), staffing levels (3★), and quality measures (4★).
Where does Elm Crest Retirement Community rank among nursing homes in IA?
According to CMS Nursing Home Compare overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks, then fewer fines), Elm Crest Retirement Community ranks 251st among 385 rated nursing homes in IA (#251 of 385). CMS force-curves the overall star within each state, so this peer set is the honest comparison.
What are the staffing levels at Elm Crest Retirement Community?
Elm Crest Retirement Community reports 3.99 total nursing hours per resident day (national average: 3.86). RN hours are 0.74 per resident day (national average: 0.69). Nursing staff turnover is 71.7%.
How many beds does Elm Crest Retirement Community have?
Elm Crest Retirement Community has 50 certified beds with approximately 46 residents. The facility is located at 2104 12th Street, Harlan, IA 51537.
Does Elm Crest Retirement Community have any deficiencies on record?
Yes, Elm Crest Retirement Community has 19 deficiencies on record from recent inspections. Of these, 2 are classified as causing actual harm or jeopardy.
Has Elm Crest Retirement Community received any fines or penalties?
No, Elm Crest Retirement Community has no fines or penalties on record.
Who owns Elm Crest Retirement Community?
Elm Crest Retirement Community is classified as "Non profit - Other" ownership. The facility type is "Medicare and Medicaid".
When was Elm Crest Retirement Community last inspected?
The most recent health inspection for Elm Crest Retirement Community was on Jan 14, 2026. The facility received a health inspection rating of 2 out of 5 stars.
What quality measures are tracked for Elm Crest Retirement Community?
Elm Crest Retirement Community is evaluated on 17 quality measures, of which 8 are used in the CMS star rating calculation. These include measures for both long-stay and short-stay residents covering areas like infections, falls, pressure ulcers, and medication use.
Data Sources

Data source: CMS Nursing Home Compare. Ratings, staffing, deficiency, quality measure, and penalty data are from CMS Provider Data. For informational purposes only. Verify the same CCN on Medicare.gov Care Compare and with the facility or your state health department.

Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare provider data (data.cms.gov). See our methodology for how this page is compiled. Ratings, staffing, health-inspection deficiency, and Civil Money Penalty records are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under a public-domain (CC0) license.

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