
Report
TheVardellReport
Hillcrest Health Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2121 Avenue L
Hawarden, IA 51023

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2121 Avenue L
Hawarden, IA 51023
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 6 inspections from January 2024 to May 2026, state surveyors documented 72 findings at Hillcrest Health Care Center; 72 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 4 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 35 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 11 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 26 | 1 |
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)
23 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $68,156 imposed March 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 March 26, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed March 26, 2026. Status: Closed, May 14, 2026. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of March 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)
10 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
11 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
24 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $16,801 imposed January 31, 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 January 31, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $8,649 imposed July 28, 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 January 31, 2024, 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 F880 in January 2024, July 2024, March 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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 F550 in January 2024, July 2024 and May 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 F584 in January 2024, March 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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 F725 in January 2024, July 2024 and March 2026. 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 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 F804 in January 2024, July 2024 and March 2026. 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.
Inspectors cited F558 in July 2024 and March 2026. This citation covers whether the home reasonably accommodates each resident’s needs and preferences. 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 F582 in March 2025 and March 2026. The agency describes it this way: Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. 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 F625 in January 2024 and March 2025. The agency describes it this way: Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave. 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 F644 in January 2024 and March 2026. 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 F656 in January 2024 and March 2025. 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.
Inspectors cited F657 in October 2025 and March 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 F677 in March 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. 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 F684 in March 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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 F689 in July 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. 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 F690 in July 2024 and March 2026. This citation covers continence care, catheter care and preventing urinary tract infections. 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 F758 in January 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers how psychotropic drugs are used, including dose reductions and limits on as-needed orders. 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 F760 in January 2024 and March 2026. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. 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 F803 in January 2024 and July 2024. The agency describes it this way: Ensure 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. 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 F805 in January 2024 and July 2024. 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 F809 in January 2024 and July 2024. The agency describes it this way: Ensure 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. 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 F865 in January 2024 and March 2026. The agency describes it this way: Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. 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 F868 in January 2024 and March 2026. The agency describes it this way: Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly. 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.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
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.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in three 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?
Nursing Staff Levels: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
May we try a meal, and how do you check food temperature by the time it reaches residents?
Food Quality and Temperature: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you adjust rooms, schedules and routines to a resident’s needs and preferences?
Needs and Preferences: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F582 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F582: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F625 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F625: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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.
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.
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.
How long do residents usually wait for help with bathing, dressing or the bathroom, and how is that tracked?
Help With Daily Living: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 D.
How is continence care scheduled, and how do you prevent urinary infections?
Continence and Catheter Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How many residents take psychotropic medications, and how often are doses reviewed for reduction?
Psychotropic Medications: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
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 D.
What changed after F803 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F803: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F805 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F805: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level K.
What changed after F809 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F809: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F865 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F865: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F868 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F868: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $68,156 civil money penalty was imposed March 26, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds four 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 Jan 31, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jul 28, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Oct 8, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 26, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection May 6, 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 · 165245
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJanuary 31, 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.