Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
FITCHBURG HEALTHCARE
FITCHBURG, MA · 160 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey February 11, 2026
CMS Certification Number 225216 · first certified December 1974
Ownership
Operated by NEXT STEP HEALTHCARE · For profit - Limited Liability company
- Ownership changed September 1, 2017 (change of ownership)from GGNSC FITCHBURG LLC
Position within MA
9 citations — more than 39% of the 341 certified nursing homes in MA. Compared within MA 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 3. 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 February 2026. Facilities in MA are typically surveyed 12–15 months after the last one (median 13), measured over 556 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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1 inspection-and-testing tag has 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
1 of the 9 citations on file is 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)
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 9 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 MA, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the MA figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 9 |
| Median facility in MA | 11 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| July 11, 2023 | 3 |
| October 1, 2024 | 3 |
| February 11, 2026 | 3 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 2 | 2026-02-11 |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | 1 | 2023-07-11 |
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | 1 | 2026-02-11 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 1 | 2024-10-01 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 1 | 2026-02-11 |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | 1 | 2024-10-01 |
| K-0223 | Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector. | 1 | 2023-07-11 |
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | 1 | 2024-10-01 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 4
- Egress Deficiencies 2
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 1
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 1
- Other 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 4 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 2 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 1 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 1 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
February 11, 2026 — 3 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 (April 17, 2026) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 18, 2026) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2026) |
October 1, 2024 — 3 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 22, 2024) |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 22, 2024) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 22, 2024) |
July 11, 2023 — 3 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0223 | Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (August 25, 2023) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2023) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (August 25, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.