LIFE BYVardellNursing Home
Report

TheVardellReport

Exira Care Center

Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility

411 South Carthage
Exira, IA 50076

Report Date
Nov 1, 2026
Data Through
Oct 1, 2026
Report ID
VR-IA-165412-2611
← Exira Care Center, free profile

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The Vardell Report.Exira Care Center

The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.

Provider Category
Nursing home
Location
Exira, IA
Record Period
2023–2026
Source Documents
8
Read the report

This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.

01

The Essentials

Summary

Across 6 inspections from July 2023 to May 2026, state surveyors documented 21 findings at Exira Care Center; 21 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.

Inspections
6
2023–2026, complaint and standard
Findings
21
Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
Corrected
21
Of 21 findings, with a recorded correction date
Penalties
1
1 fine; payment not published

Findings by Year

  • Findings
  • Of which, actual harm (level G or above)
2023: 7 findings across 2 inspections720232 inspections2024: 3 findings across 2 inspections; of which, actual harm (level G or above): 1320242 inspections2025: 4 findings across 1 inspection420251 inspection2026: 7 findings across 1 inspection72026*1 inspection2023: 7 findings across 2 inspections720232 insp.2024: 3 findings across 2 inspections; of which, actual harm (level G or above): 1320242 insp.2025: 4 findings across 1 inspection420251 insp.2026: 7 findings across 1 inspection72026*1 insp.

* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.

Findings by year
YearInspectionsFindingsOf which, actual harm (level G or above)
2023270
2024231
2025140
2026170

What the Record Shows

  • 21 of 21 findings have a recorded correction date.
  • CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $22,880, its payment not published.
  • 3 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
  • The latest standard inspection, August 7, 2025, recorded 4 findings (most serious: Level D).
02

Chronology

Inspection History

Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.

  1. 2026

    Complaint investigation

    7 findings

    • F725Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026
    • F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026
    • F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026
    • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026
    • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026
    • F726Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026
    • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 21, 2026

    Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  2. 2025

    Standard health inspection

    4 findings

    • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 11, 2025
    • F690Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 11, 2025
    • F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 11, 2025
    • F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 11, 2025

    Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  3. 2024

    Complaint investigation

    3 findings

    • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Nov 4, 2024
    • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 9, 2024
    • F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 9, 2024

    Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  4. 2024

    Standard health inspection

    No findings

    Enforcement Action

    Civil money penalty, $22,880 imposed October 10, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of October 10, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.

    Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  5. 2023

    Complaint investigation

    1 finding

    • F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 19, 2024

    Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  6. 2023

    Standard health inspection

    6 findings

    • F922Have enough backup water supply for essential areas of the nursing home.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 15, 2023
    • F803Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 15, 2023
    • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 15, 2023
    • F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 15, 2023
    • F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 15, 2023
    • F577Allow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.Level CPotential for minimal harmCorrected Aug 15, 2023

    Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.

03

Context

Patterns Worth Examining

A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.

  1. 1

    Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Three Inspections

    Inspectors cited F689 in November 2024, August 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. The most serious of these was recorded at level J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

    232324242526F689 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest
  2. 2

    Accurate Assessments, Cited in Two Inspections

    Inspectors cited F641 in July 2023 and November 2024. This citation covers whether each resident’s assessment correctly records their condition. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

    232324242526F641 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest
  3. 3

    Care Plans, Cited in Two Inspections

    Inspectors cited F656 in July 2023 and November 2024. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

    232324242526F656 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest
04

For Your Next Visit

Questions to Ask on Your Visit

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

  1. 01

    What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?

    Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level J.

  2. 02

    Who completes resident assessments, and how are they checked for accuracy?

    Accurate Assessments: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

  3. 03

    How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?

    Care Plans: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

  4. 04

    How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?

    Insufficient nursing staff was cited in May 2026.

  5. 05

    What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?

    A $22,880 civil money penalty was imposed October 10, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.

05

The Evidence

Sources and Coverage

Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Iowa state survey agency.

  • Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

    Iowa state survey agency

    Inspection Jul 13, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  • Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

    Iowa state survey agency

    Inspection Dec 21, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  • Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

    Iowa state survey agency

    Inspection Oct 10, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  • Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

    Iowa state survey agency

    Inspection Nov 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  • Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

    Iowa state survey agency

    Inspection Aug 7, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  • Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

    Iowa state survey agency

    Inspection May 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  • Penalties, Provider Data Catalog

    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

    Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

    View Dataset ↗
  • Provider Information, Provider Data Catalog

    Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 165412

    Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

    View Dataset ↗

Coverage

Record windowJuly 13, 2023 – October 1, 2026

  • CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before July 2023 are not in this release.
  • CMS refreshes these files monthly, after statements of deficiencies are processed, so an inspection from the last two months may not appear yet.

What This Report Cannot Tell You

Complaints not investigated onsite
Allegations screened out by the state before an onsite visit are not published.
Complaint allegations
CMS publishes the deficiencies a complaint survey cited, not the allegation itself.
Facility-reported incidents
Self-reported incidents appear only if they led to an inspection.
Follow-up visits
CMS's files list standard, complaint and infection control surveys, not revisits; a correction date is the one CMS records.
Fire safety inspections
Published by CMS separately and not included in this record yet.
Staffing levels and ownership history
Published by CMS separately and not included in this record.
Whether fines were paid
CMS publishes the fines imposed, not whether or when they were paid.

Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.

Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.