Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Highlands, The
FITCHBURG, MA · 168 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey November 25, 2025
CMS Certification Number 225315 · first certified December 1988
Ownership
Operated by LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA · For profit - Limited Liability company
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within MA
11 citations — more than 49% 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 2 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 4.5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens November 2026 — about 2 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was November 2025. 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
Get an email about Highlands, The
One email when it happens. No account; stop it any time with one click.
2 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
3 of the 11 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)
1 physical-environment citation 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 11 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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 | 11 |
| Median facility in MA | 11 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| March 20, 2023 | 4 |
| July 23, 2024 | 5 |
| November 25, 2025 | 2 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | 2 | 2024-07-23 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 2 | 2024-07-23 |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | 2 | 2024-07-23 |
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | 1 | 2023-03-20 |
| 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 | 2025-11-25 |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | 1 | 2024-07-23 |
| K-0347 | Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors. | 1 | 2024-07-23 |
| E-0031 | Provide emergency officials' contact information. | 1 | 2025-11-25 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 3
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 3
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 3
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 2
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 3 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 3 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 3 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 2 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
November 25, 2025 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0031 | Provide emergency officials' contact information. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 6, 2026) |
| 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 (January 12, 2026) |
July 23, 2024 — 5 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (August 20, 2024) |
| K-0347 | Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 24, 2024) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (August 16, 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 (August 16, 2024) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (August 20, 2024) |
March 20, 2023 — 4 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 24, 2023) |
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 16, 2023) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 17, 2023) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 24, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.