Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Avoca Specialty Care
Avoca, IA · 46 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey March 5, 2026
CMS Certification Number 165294 · first certified August 1996
Ownership
Operated by CARE INITIATIVES · Non profit - Corporation
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within IA
19 citations — more than 82% of the 387 certified nursing homes in IA. Compared within IA rather than nationally because which state a facility is in explains about 30% of the variation in citation counts between facilities, while bed count explains under 1%. State survey agencies differ far more than the buildings do. How this is calculated
The latest survey found 5 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 7. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens January 2027 — about 4 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was March 2026. Facilities in IA are typically surveyed 11–13 months after the last one (median 12), measured over 700 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records.
A range the record supports, not a prediction of a date. State agencies vary widely — from about 11 months in Pennsylvania to three years in Maryland. How the window is measured
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3 inspection-and-testing tags have been cited here at more than one survey. Nationally, that pattern is common: about three quarters of cited facilities have at least one repeated tag, and half of the facilities ever cited for sprinkler inspection and testing are cited for it again. A repeat is usually a recordkeeping gap rather than a new hazard.
Emergency preparedness
4 of the 19 citations on file are Emergency Preparedness E-tags. E-tags are cited under 42 CFR §483.73 and concern the emergency plan, training, drills, communications and supplies. Nationally about half of certified facilities have at least one. The Emergency Preparedness Index
Physical environment (health survey)
11 physical-environment citations on the health survey. Cited by the health surveyors under Appendix PP, not the Life Safety Code surveyor: equipment in safe operating condition, the call system, bed rails, pest control, hazards, the environment. Counted separately from the 19 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0584 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.
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0689 Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- F-0926 Have policies on smoking.
- F-0921 Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in IA, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the IA figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 19 |
| Median facility in IA | 12 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| February 1, 2024 | 10 |
| January 30, 2025 | 4 |
| March 5, 2026 | 5 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | 3 | 2026-03-05 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 2 | 2026-03-05 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 2 | 2026-03-05 |
| K-0741 | Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed. | 2 | 2025-01-30 |
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | 2 | 2026-03-05 |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | 2 | 2025-01-30 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 1 | 2024-02-01 |
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | 1 | 2024-02-01 |
What the citations cover
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 6
- Smoke Deficiencies 4
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 4
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 3
- Other 2
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 6 |
| Smoke Deficiencies | 4 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 4 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 3 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 2 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
March 5, 2026 — 5 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 11, 2026) |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 26, 2026) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 6, 2026) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 6, 2026) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 11, 2026) |
January 30, 2025 — 4 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 28, 2025) |
| K-0741 | Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 6, 2025) |
| K-0761 | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 31, 2025) |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 3, 2025) |
February 1, 2024 — 10 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 2, 2024) |
| E-0026 | Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 12, 2024) |
| K-0232 | Have corridors or aisles that are unobstructed and are at least 8 feet in width. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 9, 2024) |
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 14, 2024) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 1, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 5, 2024) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 1, 2024) |
| K-0741 | Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 8, 2024) |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 14, 2024) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 1, 2024) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.