Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Hillcrest Health Care Center
Hawarden, IA · 64 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey March 26, 2026
CMS Certification Number 165245 · first certified November 1994
Ownership
Operated by THE ENSIGN GROUP · For profit - Limited Liability company
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within IA
24 citations — more than 89% 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 3 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 10.5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens February 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
6 of the 24 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)
10 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 24 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.
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 | 24 |
| Median facility in IA | 12 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2024 | 6 |
| March 11, 2025 | 15 |
| March 26, 2026 | 3 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | 3 | 2026-03-26 |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 3 | 2026-03-26 |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | 2 | 2026-03-26 |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | 2 | 2025-03-11 |
| E-0015 | Address subsistence needs for staff and patients. | 1 | 2025-03-11 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 1 | 2025-03-11 |
| E-0030 | List the names and contact information of those in the facility. | 1 | 2025-03-11 |
| K-0753 | Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations. | 1 | 2024-01-31 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 8
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 6
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 6
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 3
- Other 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 8 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 6 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 6 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 3 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
March 26, 2026 — 3 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 18, 2026) |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 18, 2026) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 18, 2026) |
March 11, 2025 — 15 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| E-0009 | Include a process for Emergency Preparedness collaboration. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| E-0013 | Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| E-0015 | Address subsistence needs for staff and patients. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| E-0026 | Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| E-0030 | List the names and contact information of those in the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| K-0354 | Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 17, 2025) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 5, 2025) |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 4, 2025) |
| K-0711 | Provide a written emergency evacuation plan. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2025) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 11, 2025) |
| K-0761 | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 13, 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 (March 5, 2025) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2025) |
January 31, 2024 — 6 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 29, 2024) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 6, 2024) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 2, 2024) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 5, 2024) |
| K-0753 | Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 2, 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 (January 30, 2024) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.