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Data from CMS, Census Bureau & CareScout. Not affiliated with the U.S. government.

© 2026 NursingHomes.us. All data from CMS.gov.
HomeIowaThe Highlands

The Highlands

607 Highland Drive, Decorah, IA 521015633823603
1/5Much Below Average
Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid Sprinkler System
Health
1/5
Staffing
3/5
Quality
4/5
Beds
86
certified
3 fine(s) totaling $153,679

Key Findings

• CMS rates this facility 1/5 stars (below average)

• Has 86 certified beds with an average of 67.4 residents per day (78% occupancy)

• Last health inspection found 5 deficiencies (inspected Jun 12, 2025)

• Has been fined a total of $153,679 across 3 fine(s)

• Total nursing staff: 3.31 hours per resident per day

• Staff turnover rate: 58.9% (high)

The Highlands is a 1-star Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in Decorah, Iowa with 86 certified beds. It has been operating since 1993. The facility scored below average compared to Iowa facilities.

Beds
86
Avg Residents/Day
67.4
Ownership
Non profit - Corporation
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
In Hospital
No
First Approved
Jan 1, 1993
Sprinklers
Yes
Council
Resident
County
Winneshiek
Last Inspection
Jun 12, 2025
Deficiencies (Cycle 1)
5
Weighted Score
95.5
Infection Citations
4

Deficiency Citations (38)

F0550Potential for Harm

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Survey: Sep 23, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0923Potential for Harm

Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both.

Survey: Sep 23, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0582Potential for Harm

Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.

Survey: Jun 12, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0641Minimal Harm

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Survey: Jun 12, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0943Potential for Harm

Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Survey: Jun 12, 2025Corrected: NoCycle: 1
F0684Immediate Jeopardy

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Survey: Dec 9, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0580Potential for Harm

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Survey: Sep 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0684Potential for Harm

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Survey: Sep 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0550Potential for Harm

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Survey: Feb 7, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0584Potential for Harm

Honor 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.

Survey: Feb 7, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0641Potential for Harm

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Survey: Feb 7, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0658Potential for Harm

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Survey: Feb 7, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0677Potential for Harm

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Survey: Feb 7, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0689Actual Harm

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Survey: Feb 7, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0644Potential for Harm

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0684Potential for Harm

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0689Actual Harm

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0800Potential for Harm

Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0801Minimal Harm

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.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0802Potential for Harm

Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0812Potential for Harm

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Survey: Jul 25, 2024Corrected: NoCycle: 2
F0580Potential for Harm

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0584Potential for Harm

Honor 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.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0656Potential for Harm

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0677Potential for Harm

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0684Immediate Jeopardy

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0725Potential for Harm

Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0880Potential for Harm

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Survey: Jul 11, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0580Potential for Harm

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Survey: Apr 3, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3
F0584Potential for Harm

Honor 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.

Survey: Apr 3, 2023Corrected: NoCycle: 3

+ 8 more deficiencies

Total Fines
$153,679
Number of Fines
3
Payment Denials
1
Total Penalties
4

Penalty History

FineJul 25, 2024
$43,628
FineDec 9, 2024
$50,211
FineJul 11, 2023
$59,840
Payment DenialJul 25, 2024
10 days denied

Staffing hours per resident per day. The black line shows the national average.

Nurse Aide2.19 hrs
National avg: 2.35 hrs
LPN0.58 hrs
National avg: 0.86 hrs
RN0.53 hrs
National avg: 0.68 hrs
Total Nursing3.31 hrs
National avg: 3.89 hrs
Weekend Total2.78 hrs
National avg: 0.00 hrs
Physical Therapist0.06 hrs
National avg: 0.07 hrs
Total Turnover
58.9%
RN Turnover
37.5%
Administrators Left
1

Quality measures as percentages of residents. Lower is better for all measures.

Ownership Type
Non profit - Corporation
Recent Change
No

Owners & Managers (4)

NameRoleTypeOwnership %Since
CONTINUUM HEALTH CARE SERVICES LLCOPERATIONAL/MANAGERIAL CONTROLOrganizationN/AJan 17, 2013
SCHMIDT, JEFFREYCORPORATE DIRECTORIndividualN/AMay 20, 2013
BJELLAND, SUSANW-2 MANAGING EMPLOYEEIndividualN/AFeb 22, 2010
ELSBERND, NANCYW-2 MANAGING EMPLOYEEIndividualN/AFeb 22, 2010

Nearby Nursing Homes

All Iowa facilities

Wellington Place

Decorah, IA · 56 beds

Non profit$29,689 in fines
Health
Staffing
Quality
2.9 mi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the CMS rating for The Highlands?▾
The Highlands has an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars, with a health inspection rating of 1/5, staffing rating of 3/5, and quality measures rating of 4/5. This facility is rated below average.
Has The Highlands had any health inspection violations?▾
The Highlands had 5 deficiency citations in its most recent health inspection (Jun 12, 2025). The facility has been fined a total of $153,679 across 3 fine(s). It also has 4 infection control citation(s).
What are the staffing levels at The Highlands?▾
The Highlands provides 3.31 total nursing staff hours per resident per day, including 0.53 RN hours, 0.58 LPN hours, and 2.19 nurse aide hours. The total staff turnover rate is 58.9%.
How many beds does The Highlands have?▾
The Highlands has 86 certified beds with an average of 67.4 residents per day, resulting in approximately 78% occupancy. The facility is Non profit - Corporation owned.
Are there other nursing homes near The Highlands?▾
Yes, there are 1 other nursing home in Decorah, Iowa with an average rating of 2.5/5. You can compare all facilities on the Decorah nursing homes page.