
Report
TheVardellReport
Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
728 14th Avenue North
Fort Dodge, IA 50501

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
728 14th Avenue North
Fort Dodge, IA 50501
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 8 inspections from March 2024 to February 2026, state surveyors documented 46 findings at Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation; 46 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 2 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 16 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 13 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 | 17 | 2 |
Chronology
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.
17 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $30,745 imposed February 26, 2026. 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 February 26, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
5 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $135,298 imposed August 27, 2025. 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 January 15, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
14 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F684 in March 2024, March 2025, May 2025, August 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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.
Inspectors cited F550 in July 2024, August 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers residents’ right to dignity, to make their own choices and to communicate. 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.
Inspectors cited F658 in March 2024, January 2025 and August 2025. This citation covers whether the home’s services meet professional standards of quality. 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.
Inspectors cited F655 in March 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers the baseline care plan for a new resident’s immediate needs, due within 48 hours of admission. 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.
Inspectors cited F657 in March 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers whether care plans are written on time and revised by a team that includes the resident’s caregivers. 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.
Inspectors cited F689 in November 2025 and February 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 G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F725 in March 2024 and January 2025. This citation covers whether there are enough nurses and aides to meet residents’ needs, with a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
How do nurses make sure a doctor’s orders are carried out, and how are families told when something is missed?
Quality of Care: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level J.
How do staff learn each resident’s preferences, and how is a complaint about dignity handled?
Dignity and Resident Rights: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What happens in the first 48 hours after admission, and who writes the first care plan?
The First 48 Hours: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?
Care Plan Timing and Review: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
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 two inspections, most seriously at level G.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
Nursing Staff Levels: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $30,745 civil money penalty was imposed February 26, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds two enforcement actions in the window.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Iowa state survey agency.
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 7, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jul 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jan 15, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 27, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection May 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Aug 27, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Nov 17, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Feb 26, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 165156
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowMarch 7, 2024 – October 1, 2026
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.