
Report
TheVardellReport
Stone Cottage Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
900 South Stone Street
Sigourney, IA 52591

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
900 South Stone Street
Sigourney, IA 52591
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 12 inspections from June 2023 to May 2026, state surveyors documented 68 findings at Stone Cottage Care Center; 68 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 15 | 1 |
| 2024 | 5 | 33 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 15 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
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.
5 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)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
11 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed November 5, 2025. Status: Closed, January 3, 2026. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of September 4, 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)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
11 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
7 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
6 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
7 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
12 findings
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 June 2023, November 2023, January 2024, May 2024, September 2025, November 2025 and May 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.
Inspectors cited F550 in June 2023, November 2023, May 2024, March 2025, September 2025 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 F725 in January 2024, January 2024, September 2025, December 2025 and May 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 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 F609 in June 2023, November 2023 and May 2024. 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.
Inspectors cited F658 in January 2024, September 2024 and September 2025. 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 F812 in June 2023, January 2024 and September 2024. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. 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 F865 in June 2023, September 2024 and September 2025. The agency describes it this way: Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. 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 F610 in June 2023 and May 2024. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 F657 in June 2023 and September 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 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 September 2024 and September 2025. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. 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 F727 in January 2024 and January 2024. The agency describes it this way: Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis. 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 F801 in September 2024 and September 2025. The agency describes it this way: Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician. 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 F887 in September 2024 and September 2025. The agency describes it this way: Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status. 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.
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 seven inspections, most seriously at level G.
How do staff learn each resident’s preferences, and how is a complaint about dignity handled?
Dignity and Resident Rights: cited in six 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 five inspections, most seriously at level F.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level J.
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.
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 F.
What changed after F865 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F865: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?
Investigating Alleged Violations: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F727 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F727: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F801 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F801: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F887 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F887: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What led to the 2025 denial of payment, and what would you want a family to know about it?
Denial of payment was imposed November 5, 2025; it ended January 3, 2026.
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 Jun 29, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Nov 30, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jan 10, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Jan 25, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection May 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Sep 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Dec 31, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Mar 24, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Sep 4, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Nov 5, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection Dec 23, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Iowa state survey agency
Inspection May 28, 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 · 165381
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJune 29, 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.