
Report
TheVardellReport
Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
5608 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
5608 SW 9th Street
Des Moines, IA 50315
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 16 inspections from September 2023 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 66 findings at Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation; 66 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 6 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 7 | 24 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 | 27 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 | 10 | 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.
3 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)
5 findings
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)
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
13 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $56,238 imposed May 14, 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 June 10, 2025, 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)
4 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)
10 findings
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)
4 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $26,374 imposed July 12, 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 July 12, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $25,454 imposed August 29, 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 July 12, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $85,810 imposed October 2, 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 July 12, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
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)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
5 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $28,805 imposed April 19, 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 September 7, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed April 19, 2024. Status: Closed, June 14, 2024. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of September 7, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
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 F689 in March 2024, June 2024, August 2024, November 2024 and April 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.
Inspectors cited F684 in April 2024, October 2024, April 2025 and September 2025. 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 March 2025, September 2025 and July 2026. This citation covers residents’ right to dignity, to make their own choices and to communicate. 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.
Inspectors cited F658 in March 2024, June 2024 and October 2024. 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 F695 in October 2024, April 2026 and July 2026. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. 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 F580 in June 2024 and October 2024. This citation covers whether the resident, their doctor and a family member are told promptly about an injury, a decline or another significant change. 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 F600 in March 2025 and October 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. 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 F609 in October 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers whether suspected abuse, neglect or theft is reported to the authorities on time, with the results of the home’s investigation. 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 F644 in September 2023 and July 2024. This citation covers whether assessments are coordinated with the state’s pre-admission screening for mental illness and intellectual disability (PASARR), and referrals made. 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 July 2024 and June 2025. 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 September 2023 and April 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 F688 in September 2023 and June 2025. This citation covers care that keeps or improves a resident’s movement and mobility. 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 F698 in November 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers care for residents who need dialysis. 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 F726 in October 2024 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F760 in April 2026 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. The most serious of these was recorded at level K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F805 in July 2024 and June 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs. The most serious of these was recorded at level K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F842 in October 2024 and June 2025. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. 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.
Inspectors cited F880 in June 2025 and September 2025. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
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 five inspections, most seriously at level J.
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 four 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 E.
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.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level G.
How quickly will we hear about a fall, an injury or a change in condition, and from whom?
Telling Families About Changes: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How do you arrange services for residents with a mental illness or an intellectual disability?
Coordinating Mental Health Screening: cited in two 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 do you do to keep residents moving, and who provides range-of-motion care?
Mobility and Range of Motion: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F726 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F726: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level K.
What changed after F805 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F805: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level K.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 September 2025.
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $56,238 civil money penalty was imposed May 14, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds six 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 Sep 7, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 11, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Apr 19, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jun 3, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jul 12, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Aug 29, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Oct 2, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Nov 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 20, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Apr 24, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jun 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Sep 3, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Oct 27, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Apr 9, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection May 14, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jul 22, 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 · 165175
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowSeptember 7, 2023 – 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.