Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
NORTHWOOD REHABILITATION & HEALTHCARE CENTER
LOWELL, MA · 123 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey August 15, 2025
CMS Certification Number 225298 · first certified February 1987
Ownership
Operated by ATHENA HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS · For profit - Partnership
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within MA
24 citations — more than 89% 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 14 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 is open now: August 2026 to October 2026. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was August 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
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4 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
5 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)
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 24 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- 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.
- 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 | 24 |
| Median facility in MA | 11 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| August 10, 2023 | 4 |
| August 29, 2024 | 6 |
| August 15, 2025 | 14 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 3 | 2025-08-15 |
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | 3 | 2025-08-15 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 3 | 2025-08-15 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 2 | 2025-08-15 |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | 2 | 2025-08-15 |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | 1 | 2025-08-15 |
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | 1 | 2025-08-15 |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | 1 | 2025-08-15 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 9
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 5
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 4
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 3
- Other 3
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 9 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 5 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 4 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 3 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 2 |
| Services Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
August 15, 2025 — 14 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| 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 (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0311 | Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 30, 2026) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 23, 2026) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0761 | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 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 (October 5, 2025) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 4, 2026) |
August 29, 2024 — 6 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 7, 2024) |
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 7, 2024) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 7, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 7, 2024) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 7, 2024) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 7, 2024) |
August 10, 2023 — 4 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 7, 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 7, 2023) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 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 7, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.