Lutheran Retirement Home, Northwood, IA

The Essentials

Summary

Across 6 inspections from November 2023 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 15 findings at Lutheran Retirement Home; 15 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.

Inspections: 6; 2023–2026, complaint and standard
Findings: 15; Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
Corrected: 15; Of 15 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)

* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.

Findings by year
Year	Inspections	Findings	Of which, actual harm (level G or above)
2023	1	1	1
2024	2	4	3
2025	1	4	0
2026	2	6	1

What the Record Shows

15 of 15 findings have a recorded correction date.
CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $24,922, 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, February 26, 2026, recorded 4 findings (most serious: Level E).

What to Ask About

Protection From Abuse and Neglect, Cited in Two Inspections
Reporting Suspected Abuse, Cited in Two Inspections
Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Two Inspections

Report at a Glance

Facility: Lutheran Retirement Home
Address: 701 9th Street North, Northwood, IA 50459
CMS Certification Number: 165485
Provider Type: Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
Certified Beds: 42
Ownership: Non profit - Church related
Record Window: November 20, 2023 to October 1, 2026

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.

Aug 62026
Complaint investigation
2 findings
- F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.Level GActual harmCorrected Aug 22, 2026
- F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 22, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Feb 262026
Standard health inspection
4 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 Mar 17, 2026
- F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 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 Mar 17, 2026
- F868Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterlyLevel DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Jan 302025
Standard health inspection
4 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 DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
- F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
- F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 4, 2025
- F625Notify 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.Level BPotential for minimal harmCorrected Jan 31, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Aug 192024
Complaint investigation
4 findings
- F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Sep 19, 2024
- F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Sep 19, 2024
- F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Sep 19, 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 Sep 19, 2024
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Mar 142024
Standard health inspection
No findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $24,922 imposed August 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 March 14, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Nov 202023
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level GActual harmCorrected Dec 4, 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.

Context

Patterns Worth Examining

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

1
Protection From Abuse and Neglect, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F600 in August 2024 and August 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. 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.
232424252626F600 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest
2
Reporting Suspected Abuse, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F609 in August 2024 and August 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. 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.
232424252626F609 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest
3
Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F689 in November 2023 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.
232424252626F689 across all 6 inspections, oldest to newest

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.

01
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 J.
02
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 J.
03
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.
04
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
05
What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $24,922 civil money penalty was imposed August 19, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.

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 Nov 20, 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 Mar 14, 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 19, 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 Jan 30, 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 Feb 26, 2026 · 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 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 · 165485
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗

Coverage

Record windowNovember 20, 2023 – October 1, 2026

CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before November 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.