Report
TheVardellReport
Ridgewood Specialty Care
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1977 Albia Road
Ottumwa, IA 52501
Report
← Ridgewood Specialty Care, free profile
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The Vardell Report.Ridgewood Specialty Care
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Nursing home
- Location
- Ottumwa, IA
- Record Period
- 2023–2025
- Source Documents
- 7
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 5 inspections from October 2023 to December 2025, state surveyors documented 18 findings at Ridgewood Specialty Care; 18 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
- Inspections
- 5
- 2023–2025, standard and complaint
- Findings
- 18
- Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
- Corrected
- 18
- Of 18 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.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 13 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
What the Record Shows
- 18 of 18 findings have a recorded correction date.
- CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $8,999, 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, December 22, 2025, recorded 3 findings (most serious: Level D).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- Ridgewood Specialty Care
- Address
- 1977 Albia Road, Ottumwa, IA 52501
- CMS Certification Number
- 165223
- Provider Type
- Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
- Certified Beds
- 60
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Record Window
- October 5, 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.
- 2025
Standard health inspection
3 findings
- 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 DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 30, 2025
- F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 30, 2025
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 30, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Standard health inspection
10 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
- F805Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- 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 Nov 1, 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 1, 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 1, 2024
- F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- 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 Nov 1, 2024
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Nov 1, 2024
- 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 Nov 1, 2024
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $8,999 imposed October 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 October 31, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Complaint investigation
2 findings
- 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 Apr 24, 2024
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 24, 2024
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 4, 2024
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2023
Standard health inspection
2 findings
- 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 Oct 16, 2023
- F808Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Oct 16, 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
Help With Daily Living, Cited in Three Inspections
Inspectors cited F677 in February 2024, April 2024 and October 2024. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. 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.
2324242425F677 across all 5 inspections, oldest to newest - 2
Citation F803, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F803 in October 2024 and December 2025. 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.
2324242425F803 across all 5 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
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 three inspections, most seriously at level D.
- 02
What changed after F803 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F803: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
- 03
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.
- 04
What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
An $8,999 civil money penalty was imposed October 31, 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 Oct 5, 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 Feb 15, 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 Apr 11, 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 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 Dec 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Penalties, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
- Provider Information, Provider Data CatalogView Dataset ↗
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 165223
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowOctober 5, 2023 – October 1, 2026
- CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before October 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.