Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
BUFFALO LAKE HEALTH CARE CENTER
BUFFALO LAKE, MN · 49 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey January 8, 2026
CMS Certification Number 245589 · first certified November 1991
Ownership
Independently operated (no chain recorded by CMS) · Non profit - Corporation
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within MN
8 citations — more than 25% of the 338 certified nursing homes in MN. Compared within MN 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 3. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens December 2026 — about 2 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was January 2026. Facilities in MN are typically surveyed 11–14 months after the last one (median 13), measured over 613 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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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 8 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 MN, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the MN figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 8 |
| Median facility in MN | 12 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| December 20, 2023 | 2 |
| November 20, 2024 | 4 |
| January 8, 2026 | 2 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0271 | Have exits that are accessible at all times. | 1 | 2024-11-20 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 1 | 2026-01-08 |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | 1 | 2023-12-20 |
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | 1 | 2026-01-08 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 1 | 2024-11-20 |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 1 | 2024-11-20 |
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | 1 | 2023-12-20 |
| 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 | 2024-11-20 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 5
- Egress Deficiencies 3
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 5 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 3 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
January 8, 2026 — 2 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 30, 2026) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 18, 2026) |
November 20, 2024 — 4 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0271 | Have exits that are accessible at all times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 21, 2024) |
| 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 (December 4, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (December 4, 2024) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (December 4, 2024) |
December 20, 2023 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 31, 2024) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 31, 2024) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.