Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Northern Mahaska Specialty Care
Oskaloosa, IA · 79 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey November 24, 2025
CMS Certification Number 165274 · first certified April 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
15 citations — more than 65% 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 5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens October 2026. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was November 2025. 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.
Physical environment (health survey)
4 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 15 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- 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-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.
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 | 15 |
| Median facility in IA | 12 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| August 30, 2023 | 5 |
| October 24, 2024 | 5 |
| November 24, 2025 | 5 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 3 | 2025-11-24 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 2 | 2024-10-24 |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | 2 | 2025-11-24 |
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | 2 | 2025-11-24 |
| K-0374 | Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes. | 1 | 2023-08-30 |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | 1 | 2025-11-24 |
| K-0161 | Use approved construction type or materials. | 1 | 2023-08-30 |
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | 1 | 2023-08-30 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 6
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 4
- Egress Deficiencies 2
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 1
- Other 2
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 6 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 4 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 2 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 1 |
| Services Deficiencies | 1 |
| Construction Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
November 24, 2025 — 5 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 26, 2025) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 31, 2025) |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 26, 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 (September 25, 2025) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 25, 2025) |
October 24, 2024 — 5 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 4, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 30, 2024) |
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 30, 2024) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 4, 2024) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 29, 2024) |
August 30, 2023 — 5 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0161 | Use approved construction type or materials. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 6, 2023) |
| 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 (September 12, 2023) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 12, 2023) |
| K-0374 | Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 7, 2023) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 11, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.