Northcrest Specialty Care
Northcrest Specialty Care is a non profit - corporation facility in Waterloo, IA with 94 certified beds and a 2-star overall CMS rating. The inspection file holds 29 deficiency records.
2001Health Street, Waterloo, IA 50703
Phone: 3192344423
Overall CMS Rating
vs 3.0 national avg
The verdict
Northcrest Specialty Care holds a 2-star CMS overall rating — below the 3.0-star national average, with nurse staffing below the national norm. 1 inspection finding reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.
- 2 / 5
- CMS overall rating (nat'l avg 3.0)
- 3.51
- Nursing hrs/resident-day (nat'l 3.89)
- 29
- Inspection findings on file · 1 serious
- $0
- Federal penalties (0)
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.
Health Inspection
Staffing
Quality Measures
Long-Stay Quality
Facility Information
- Provider Number
- 165165
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 94
- Residents
- 81
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Black Hawk
- Last Inspection
- Jan 30, 2025
Staffing Data
- RN Hours
- 0.70 (nat'l avg: 0.68)
- LPN Hours
- 0.53
- CNA Hours
- 2.28
- Total Nursing Hours
- 3.51 (nat'l avg: 3.89)
- PT Hours
- 0.05
- Nursing Turnover
- 43.7%
- RN Turnover
- 60.0%
What the CMS Record Reveals About Northcrest Specialty Care
Northcrest Specialty Care operates 94 certified beds in Waterloo, IA with approximately 81 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars. The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results (2★), staffing levels (4★), and quality measures (4★). 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.
The inspection file contains 29 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 1 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. No fines or payment denials have been assessed against this provider, suggesting issues — if any — did not rise to the enforcement threshold. Staffing is reported at 3.51 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.89), with RN coverage at 0.70 per resident day — the single staffing metric most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.
Classified as "Non profit - Corporation" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Northcrest Specialty Care falls into a category where comparative context matters. 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. Reported nursing turnover at this facility is 43.7%, within a range generally associated with stable care teams. 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 details directly with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.
Deficiency History (29 most recent)
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 3, 2025
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 1, 2025
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 1, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 1, 2025
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: Mar 1, 2025
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 1, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 1, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 1, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 14, 2024
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: May 11, 2024
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
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: Feb 29, 2024
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: Feb 29, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
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: Feb 29, 2024
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Aug 10, 2023
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Aug 10, 2023
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Aug 10, 2023
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 29, 2022
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 29, 2022
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 29, 2022
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: Oct 29, 2022
Quality Measures
| Measure | Type | Score | Used in Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 14.2% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 5.3% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 3.2% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 2.7% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 0.4% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | Long Stay | 0.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 3.4% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Long Stay | 98.1% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 87.3% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 1.1% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 21.8% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 16.7% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 85.7% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 76.6% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 4.8% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 33.4% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 24.7% | Yes |
Penalty History
No penalties on record.
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Understanding Nursing Home Data
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall CMS rating for Northcrest Specialty Care?
What are the staffing levels at Northcrest Specialty Care?
How many beds does Northcrest Specialty Care have?
Does Northcrest Specialty Care have any deficiencies on record?
Has Northcrest Specialty Care received any fines or penalties?
Who owns Northcrest Specialty Care?
When was Northcrest Specialty Care last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for Northcrest Specialty Care?
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. Always verify information directly with the facility or your state health department.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.