NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER
Open-data reference.
NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER is a for profit - partnership facility in LOWELL, MA with 123 certified beds and a 1-star overall CMS rating. The facility has 50 deficiency records on file. Total penalties: $166K.
1010 VARNUM AVENUE, LOWELL, MA 01854
Phone: 9784588773
Overall Rating
Health Inspection
Staffing
Quality Measures
Long-Stay Quality
Facility Information
- Provider Number
- 225298
- Ownership
- For profit - Partnership
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 123
- Residents
- 117
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Middlesex
- Last Inspection
- Aug 15, 2025
Staffing Data
- RN Hours
- 0.47 (nat'l avg: 0.68)
- LPN Hours
- 0.68
- CNA Hours
- 1.89
- Total Nursing Hours
- 3.05 (nat'l avg: 3.89)
- PT Hours
- 0.04
- Nursing Turnover
- 27.4%
- RN Turnover
- 43.8%
What the CMS Record Reveals About NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER
NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER operates 123 certified beds in LOWELL, MA with approximately 117 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 1 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 (1★), staffing levels (2★), and quality measures (3★). 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 50 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 6 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. On the enforcement side, CMS has assessed 2 penalties totaling $166K against this provider, a tangible indicator that regulators moved beyond citation into financial consequence. Staffing is reported at 3.05 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.89), with RN coverage at 0.47 per resident day — the single staffing metric most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.
Classified as "For profit - Partnership" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER 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 27.4%, 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 (50 most recent)
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 4, 2024
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 4, 2024
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 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: Sep 27, 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: Oct 4, 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: Sep 27, 2024
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 27, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jun 28, 2024
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 19, 2023
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
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: Sep 8, 2023
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 2023
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: Sep 8, 2023
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 8, 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: Sep 8, 2023
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
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: Oct 24, 2022
Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
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: Oct 24, 2022
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Nov 14, 2022
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: Nov 14, 2022
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 2022
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Oct 24, 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 | 13.6% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 2.5% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 1.6% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 1.0% | Yes |
| 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 experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 3.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Long Stay | 75.9% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 51.6% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 3.3% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 14.2% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 32.8% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 91.9% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 25.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 1.6% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 25.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 38.0% | Yes |
Penalty History 2 penalties totaling $166K
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 29, 2024 | Fine | $85K |
| Aug 10, 2023 | Fine | $81K |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall CMS rating for NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER?
What are the staffing levels at NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER?
How many beds does NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER have?
Does NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER have any deficiencies on record?
Has NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER received any fines or penalties?
Who owns NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER?
When was NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER?
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.