The Vardell Report.The Highlands

Across 8 inspections from February 2024 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 26 findings at The Highlands; 26 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 3 enforcement actions in the window.

Inspections

8

2024–2026, standard and complaint

Findings

26

Deficiencies cited by state inspectors

Corrected

26

Of 26 findings, with a recorded correction date

Penalties

3

2 fines; payment not published, 1 closed

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.

1. Jul 222026

   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 Aug 3, 2026
   • 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 Aug 10, 2026
   • F637Assess the resident when there is a significant change in conditionLevel DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 27, 2026
   • F644Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 10, 2026

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

2. Jun 182026

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • 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 Jul 1, 2026

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

3. Sep 232025

   Complaint investigation

   2 findings

   • F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 24, 2025
   • F923Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 24, 2025

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

4. Jun 122025

   Standard health inspection

   3 findings

   • F582Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jun 26, 2025
   • F943Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jun 26, 2025
   • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level BPotential for minimal harmCorrected Jun 26, 2025

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

5. Dec 92024

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Dec 10, 2024

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

6. Sep 252024

   Complaint investigation

   2 findings

   • F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 26, 2024
   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 26, 2024

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

7. Jul 252024

   Standard health inspection

   7 findings

   • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level GActual harmCorrected Jul 26, 2024
   • F800Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 26, 2024
   • F802Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 26, 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 Jul 26, 2024
   • F644Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 26, 2024
   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jul 26, 2024
   • F801Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.Level CPotential for minimal harmCorrected Jul 26, 2024

   Enforcement Action

   Civil money penalty, $43,628 imposed July 25, 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 July 25, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.

   Enforcement Action

   Denial of payment imposed July 25, 2024. Status: Closed, August 31, 2024. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of July 25, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.

   Enforcement Action

   Civil money penalty, $50,211 imposed December 9, 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 July 25, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

8. Feb 72024

   Complaint investigation

   6 findings

   • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level GActual harmCorrected Feb 8, 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 Feb 8, 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 Feb 8, 2024
   • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 8, 2024
   • F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 8, 2024
   • F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 8, 2024

   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.

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

1. 1

   Quality of Care, Cited in Three Inspections

   Inspectors cited F684 in July 2024, September 2024 and December 2024. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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.

   2424242425252626F684 across all 8 inspections, oldest to newest
2. 2

   Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Three Inspections

   Inspectors cited F689 in February 2024, July 2024 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 G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   2424242425252626F689 across all 8 inspections, oldest to newest
3. 3

   Dignity and Resident Rights, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F550 in February 2024 and September 2025. 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.

   2424242425252626F550 across all 8 inspections, oldest to newest
4. 4

   Accurate Assessments, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F641 in February 2024 and June 2025. This citation covers whether each resident’s assessment correctly records their condition. 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.

   2424242425252626F641 across all 8 inspections, oldest to newest
5. 5

   Coordinating Mental Health Screening, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F644 in July 2024 and July 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.

   2424242425252626F644 across all 8 inspections, oldest to newest
6. 6

   Kitchen and Food Safety, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F812 in July 2024 and July 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. 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.

   2424242425252626F812 across all 8 inspections, oldest to newest

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

1. 01

   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 three inspections, most seriously at level J.

2. 02

   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 G.

3. 03

   How do staff learn each resident’s preferences, and how is a complaint about dignity handled?

   Dignity and Resident Rights: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

4. 04

   Who completes resident assessments, and how are they checked for accuracy?

   Accurate Assessments: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

5. 05

   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.

6. 06

   May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?

   Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

7. 07

   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.

8. 08

   What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?

   A $50,211 civil money penalty was imposed December 9, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds three enforcement actions in the window.

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 Feb 7, 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 Jul 25, 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 25, 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 9, 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 Jun 12, 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 Sep 23, 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 18, 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 Jul 22, 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 · 165178

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗

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.