Northcrest Specialty Care
2001Health Street, Waterloo, IA 50703 · All homes in Waterloo
Northcrest Specialty Care, a 94-bed non profit - corporation nursing facility in Waterloo, IA, holds a 2-star CMS overall rating - below the 3.0-star national average, ranking #238 of 385 rated homes in IA on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing below the national norm. 1 inspection finding 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: 3192344423
Build a private shortlist as you compare, saved on this device, no account needed.
Subscribe to CMS updates for this home (RSS) for inspection findings and Care Compare snapshot refreshes, no email.
- 2 / 5
- Below average · CMS overall · nat'l 3.0
- #238 of 385
- In-state rank among rated IA homes
- 3.29
- Below average · nurse hrs/day · nat'l 3.86
- 29
- Inspection findings · 1 serious
The verdict
Northcrest Specialty Care, a 94-bed non profit - corporation nursing facility in Waterloo, IA, holds a 2-star CMS overall rating - below the 3.0-star national average, ranking #238 of 385 rated homes in IA on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing below the national norm. 1 inspection finding reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.
- 2 / 5
- CMS overall · national 3.0
- #238 of 385
- In-state rank among rated IA homes
- 3.29
- Nurse hrs/resident-day · national 3.86
- 29
- Inspection findings · 1 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 - Corporation. Sector buckets collapse CMS ownership_type into For-profit, Nonprofit, and Government, orthogonal to the RN/LPN/CNA hour bar below.
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
- 86
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Black Hawk
- Last Inspection
- Feb 12, 2026
Staffing Data
How the 3.29 total nursing hours per resident-day are staffed:
- RN Hours
- 0.68 (nat'l avg: 0.69)
- LPN Hours
- 0.64
- CNA Hours
- 1.96
- Total Nursing Hours
- 3.29 (nat'l avg: 3.86)
- PT Hours
- 0.06
- Nursing Turnover
- 46.7%
- RN Turnover
- 61.9%
What the CMS Record Reveals About Northcrest Specialty Care
According to CMS Nursing Home Compare, Northcrest Specialty Care ranks #238 of 385 rated nursing homes in IA on overall stars (tie-broken by health+staffing+quality, then fewer fines). Northcrest Specialty Care operates 94 certified beds in Waterloo, IA with approximately 86 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars (health inspection 2★ · staffing 4★ · quality 4★).
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. CMS has not levied any fines or payment denials against this facility. Staffing is reported at 3.29 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.86), with RN coverage at 0.68 per resident day.
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. Reported nursing staff turnover at this facility is 46.7% (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 (29 most recent)
Have policies on smoking.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 14, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 14, 2026
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 14, 2026
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 14, 2026
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: Mar 14, 2026
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: Mar 14, 2026
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 14, 2026
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 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 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 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
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning 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
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 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 a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 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
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
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
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 organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 29, 2024
Quality Measures
| Measure | Type | Score | Used in Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 12.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 3.5% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 1.1% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 1.1% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 14.2% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 4.1% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 20.8% | Yes |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 2.8% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 6.5% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 0.8% | 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 | 98.9% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 18.1% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 85.7% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 33.5% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 92.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 76.6% | No |
Penalty History
No penalties on record.
Nationwide facilities with similar scale or staffing
Two data-derived peer sets for Northcrest Specialty Care, both outside IA so the neighborhoods are not the same-state geography list below.
Similar bed count
Nearest CMS certified bed counts outside IA (94 beds here).
Similar staffing hours
Nearest CMS adjusted total nurse hours per resident day outside IA (3.97 here).
Nearby Nursing Homes in IA
386 other nursing homes are on record in IA; 6 are shown here.
Accura Healthcare of Ames, LLC
Ames, IA
Accura Healthcare of Aurelia, LLC
Aurelia, IA
Accura Healthcare of Bancroft
Bancroft, IA
Accura Healthcare of Carlisle
Carlisle, IA
Accura Healthcare of Carroll
Carroll, IA
Accura Healthcare of Cascade LLC
Cascade, IA
Understanding Nursing Home Data
What the CMS records show for Northcrest Specialty Care
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 94 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 Northcrest Specialty Care?
Where does Northcrest Specialty Care rank among nursing homes in IA?
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. Verify the same CCN on Medicare.gov Care Compare and with the facility or your state health department.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
