The Vardell Report.Good Samaritan - Estherville

Across 5 inspections from August 2023 to January 2026, state surveyors documented 26 findings at Good Samaritan - Estherville; 26 have a recorded correction; CMS lists no enforcement action in the window.

Inspections

5

2023–2026, standard and complaint

Findings

26

Deficiencies cited by state inspectors

Corrected

26

Of 26 findings, with a recorded correction date

Penalties

0

No fines or payment denials in the window

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. Jan 152026

   Standard health inspection

   5 findings

   • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 5, 2026
   • F605Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 5, 2026
   • 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 Feb 5, 2026
   • F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 5, 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 Feb 5, 2026

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

2. Nov 102025

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 10, 2025

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

3. Oct 312024

   Standard health inspection

   5 findings

   The same visit included a complaint investigation.

   • F851Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 12, 2024
   • F804Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 12, 2024
   • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 12, 2024
   • 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 Nov 12, 2024
   • 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 Nov 12, 2024

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

4. Nov 302023

   Complaint investigation

   4 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 Dec 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 Dec 15, 2023
   • F809Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 15, 2023
   • F802Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 15, 2023

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

5. Aug 302023

   Standard health inspection

   11 findings

   • F585Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 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 ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F804Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F805Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F868Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterlyLevel ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F644Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 2023
   • F758Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 22, 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.

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

1. 1

   Kitchen and Food Safety, Cited in Three Inspections

   Inspectors cited F812 in August 2023, October 2024 and January 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   2323242526F812 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest
2. 2

   Care Plan Timing and Review, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F657 in August 2023 and October 2024. 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 E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   2323242526F657 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest
3. 3

   Food Quality and Temperature, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F804 in August 2023 and October 2024. This citation covers whether food and drink are palatable, attractive and served at a safe temperature. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   2323242526F804 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest

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

1. 01

   May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?

   Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.

2. 02

   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 E.

3. 03

   May we try a meal, and how do you check food temperature by the time it reaches residents?

   Food Quality and Temperature: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

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 November 2023.

5. 05

   Has the home been fined or had payments denied before this record begins?

   CMS lists no fines or payment denials in this window. The record starts August 30, 2023; anything earlier is not in it.

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 Aug 30, 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 Nov 30, 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 31, 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 10, 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 Jan 15, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Provider Information, Provider Data Catalog

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 165192

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗

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.