Stephenson Nursing Center
2946 South Walnut Road, Freeport, IL 61032
Stephenson Nursing Center, a 148-bed government - county nursing facility in Freeport, IL, holds a 3-star CMS overall rating - right around the 3.0-star national average, ranking #302 of 661 rated homes in IL on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing below the national norm. 5 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: 8152356173
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- 3 / 5
- Average · CMS overall · nat'l 3.0
- #302 of 661
- In-state rank among rated IL homes
- 3.06
- Well below average · nurse hrs/day · nat'l 3.86
- 40
- Inspection findings · 5 serious
The verdict
Stephenson Nursing Center, a 148-bed government - county nursing facility in Freeport, IL, holds a 3-star CMS overall rating - right around the 3.0-star national average, ranking #302 of 661 rated homes in IL on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing below the national norm. 5 inspection findings reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.
- 3 / 5
- CMS overall · national 3.0
- #302 of 661
- In-state rank among rated IL homes
- 3.06
- Nurse hrs/resident-day · national 3.86
- 40
- Inspection findings · 5 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 666 IL nursing homes split by ownership sector
This facility is recorded as Government - County. 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
- 145895
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 148
- Residents
- 71
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Stephenson
- Last Inspection
- Feb 26, 2026
Staffing Data
How the 3.06 total nursing hours per resident-day are staffed:
- RN Hours
- 0.89 (nat'l avg: 0.69)
- LPN Hours
- 0.36
- CNA Hours
- 1.81
- Total Nursing Hours
- 3.06 (nat'l avg: 3.86)
- PT Hours
- 0.01
What the CMS Record Reveals About Stephenson Nursing Center
According to CMS Nursing Home Compare, Stephenson Nursing Center ranks #302 of 661 rated nursing homes in IL on overall stars (tie-broken by health+staffing+quality, then fewer fines). Stephenson Nursing Center operates 148 certified beds in Freeport, IL with approximately 71 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars (health inspection 3★ · staffing 2★ · quality 2★).
The inspection file contains 40 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 5 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. CMS enforcement records show 1 penalty totaling $18K levied against this facility. Staffing is reported at 3.06 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.86), with RN coverage at 0.89 per resident day.
Classified as "Government - County" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Stephenson Nursing Center falls into a category where comparative context matters.
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 (40 most recent)
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 27, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 6, 2026
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 6, 2026
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 6, 2026
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 6, 2026
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: Mar 6, 2026
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 6, 2026
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 6, 2026
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: Mar 6, 2026
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jun 20, 2025
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: Jun 2, 2025
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: Apr 11, 2025
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 7, 2025
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 2025
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 2025
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 28, 2025
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: Feb 28, 2025
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 2025
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 2025
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 7, 2025
Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 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: Feb 7, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 28, 2025
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: Jul 19, 2024
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: Jul 19, 2024
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: May 13, 2024
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: May 13, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 10, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 7, 2024
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 10, 2024
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 10, 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: Feb 10, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 10, 2024
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 10, 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: Jan 21, 2024
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 21, 2024
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: Jan 21, 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: Jan 21, 2024
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 19, 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 | 17.7% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 3.0% | 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 | 2.2% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 24.6% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 9.8% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 32.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 2.4% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 3.3% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 13.7% | 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 | 99.4% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 21.2% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 15.9% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 89.7% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 86.7% | No |
Penalty History 1 penalties totaling $18K
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 26, 2026 | Fine | $18K |
| Feb 4, 2025 | Payment Denial | - |
Nationwide facilities with similar scale or staffing
Two data-derived peer sets for Stephenson Nursing Center, both outside IL so the neighborhoods are not the same-state geography list below.
Similar bed count
Nearest CMS certified bed counts outside IL (148 beds here).
Similar staffing hours
Nearest CMS adjusted total nurse hours per resident day outside IL (3.34 here).
Nearby Nursing Homes in IL
665 other nursing homes are on record in IL; 6 are shown here.
Abbington Vlge Nrsg & Rhb Ctr
Roselle, IL
Accolade Hc of Paxton on Pells
Paxton, IL
Accolade Healthcare Danville
Danville, IL
Accolade Healthcare of Peoria
Peoria, IL
Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac
Pontiac, IL
Accolade Healthcare of Savoy
Savoy, IL
Understanding Nursing Home Data
What the CMS records show for Stephenson Nursing Center
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 IL registry aggregates state averages and the highest-rated homes in this cohort. View IL registry
- Peer homes near 148 beds show how CMS stars vary at a similar scale in IL. 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 Stephenson Nursing Center?
Where does Stephenson Nursing Center rank among nursing homes in IL?
What are the staffing levels at Stephenson Nursing Center?
How many beds does Stephenson Nursing Center have?
Does Stephenson Nursing Center have any deficiencies on record?
Has Stephenson Nursing Center received any fines or penalties?
Who owns Stephenson Nursing Center?
When was Stephenson Nursing Center last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for Stephenson Nursing 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. 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.
