Cura of Sandstone, Sandstone, MN · The Vardell Report

The Essentials

Summary

Across 7 inspections from November 2023 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 27 findings at Cura of Sandstone; 27 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.

Inspections: 7; 2023–2026, complaint and standard
Findings: 27; Deficiencies cited by state inspectors
Corrected: 27; Of 27 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	6	0
2024	1	1	0
2025	2	10	1
2026	3	10	0

What the Record Shows

27 of 27 findings have a recorded correction date.
CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window: 1 fine of $17,345, its payment not published.
6 visits in this window included a complaint investigation. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
The latest standard inspection, April 8, 2026, recorded 7 findings (most serious: Level F).

What to Ask About

Infection Control, Cited in Four Inspections
Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Three Inspections
Care Plans, Cited in Two Inspections
Quality of Care, Cited in Two Inspections

Report at a Glance

Facility: Cura of Sandstone
Address: 109 Court Avenue South, Sandstone, MN 55072
CMS Certification Number: 245454
Provider Type: Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
Certified Beds: 50
Ownership: Non profit - Corporation
Record Window: November 3, 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.

Jul 162026
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Sep 8, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Apr 82026
Standard health inspection
7 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 20, 2026
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 20, 2026
- 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 May 20, 2026
- F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 20, 2026
- F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 20, 2026
- F693Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 20, 2026
- F881Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 20, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Mar 52026
Complaint investigation
2 findings
- 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 Apr 15, 2026
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 15, 2026
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Dec 42025
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Nov 30, 2025
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Feb 132025
Standard health inspection
9 findings
- F576Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
- F570Assure the security of all personal funds of residents deposited with the facility.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
- F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
- F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
- 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 25, 2025
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
- 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 Mar 25, 2025
- F919Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 25, 2025
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $17,345 imposed December 4, 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 February 13, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Jan 52024
Complaint investigation
1 finding
- F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 12, 2024
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Nov 32023
Standard health inspection
6 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
- F583Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 13, 2023
- 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 Dec 13, 2023
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 13, 2023
- F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 13, 2023
- F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 13, 2023
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 13, 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
Infection Control, Cited in Four Inspections
Inspectors cited F880 in November 2023, February 2025, March 2026 and April 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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.
23242525262626F880 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
2
Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Three Inspections
Inspectors cited F689 in February 2025, December 2025 and April 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 J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
23242525262626F689 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
3
Care Plans, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F656 in November 2023 and March 2026. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. 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.
23242525262626F656 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
4
Quality of Care, Cited in Two Inspections
Inspectors cited F684 in February 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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.
23242525262626F684 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
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
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 J.
03
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
04
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 two inspections, most seriously at level D.
05
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.
06
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $17,345 civil money penalty was imposed December 4, 2025. 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 Minnesota state survey agency.

Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Nov 3, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Jan 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Feb 13, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Dec 4, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Mar 5, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Apr 8, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Minnesota state survey agency
Inspection Jul 16, 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 · 245454
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
View Dataset ↗

Coverage

Record windowNovember 3, 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.