Report
TheVardellReport
The Cottages
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1742 Main Street
Pella, IA 50219
Report
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The Vardell Report.The Cottages
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
- Provider Category
- Nursing home
- Location
- Pella, IA
- Record Period
- 2023–2026
- Source Documents
- 9
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Summary
Across 7 inspections from June 2023 to June 2026, state surveyors documented 23 findings at The Cottages; 23 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 3 enforcement actions in the window.
- Inspections
- 7
- 2023–2026, complaint and standard
- Findings
- 23
- Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
- Corrected
- 23
- Of 23 findings, with a recorded correction date
- Penalties
- 3
- 3 fines; 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 | 5 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 | 12 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
What the Record Shows
- 23 of 23 findings have a recorded correction date.
- CMS lists 3 enforcement actions in the window: 3 fines totaling $52,060, their payment not published.
- 5 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
- The latest standard inspection, August 25, 2025, recorded 9 findings (most serious: Level G).
Report at a Glance
- Facility
- The Cottages
- Address
- 1742 Main Street, Pella, IA 50219
- CMS Certification Number
- 165607
- Provider Type
- Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
- Certified Beds
- 100
- Ownership
- Non profit - Corporation
- Record Window
- June 29, 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.
- 2026
Complaint investigation
2 findings
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level GActual harmCorrected May 18, 2026
- 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 Jun 12, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
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 DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 11, 2025
- F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 11, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
Standard health inspection
9 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level GActual harmCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- F605Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- 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 Sep 25, 2025
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
- F883Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 25, 2025
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $26,800 imposed August 25, 2025. 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 August 25, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,006 imposed June 4, 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 August 25, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2025
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level KImmediate jeopardyCorrected Feb 25, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2024
Standard health inspection
3 findings
- F578Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Oct 21, 2024
- F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Oct 21, 2024
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Oct 21, 2024
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $13,254 imposed February 24, 2025. 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 26, 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
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 Jun 4, 2024
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
- 2023
Standard health inspection
5 findings
- F725Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 20, 2023
- 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 Jul 20, 2023
- 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 Jul 20, 2023
- F804Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 20, 2023
- F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 20, 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
Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Three Inspections
Inspectors cited F689 in February 2025, August 2025 and June 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 K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
23242425252526F689 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest - 2
Infection Control, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F880 in September 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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.
23242425252526F880 across all 7 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 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 three inspections, most seriously at level K.
- 02
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 D.
- 03
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 June 2023.
- 04
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $12,006 civil money penalty was imposed June 4, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds three enforcement actions in the window.
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 Jun 29, 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 May 16, 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 Sep 26, 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 Feb 24, 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 Aug 25, 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 Nov 25, 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 Jun 4, 2026 · 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 · 165607
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Coverage
Record windowJune 29, 2023 – October 1, 2026
- CMS publishes about three inspection cycles; inspections before June 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.