Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
A standard survey is most likely before around December 2026
Estimate from public CMS data, current as of July 2026. Survey timing is at the state agency's discretion.
Citation history
Health deficiencies cited at Accura Healthcare Of Ottumwa during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A CNA transported residents to the shower room by pulling them backwards in shower chairs with the residents facing away from the direction of travel. One resident with severe cognitive impairment was pulled backward into the shower room, another resident was pulled backward twice down the hallway and was exposed while unclothed, and a third resident with moderate cognitive impairment had part of her unclothed body exposed when the chair was turned to enter the shower room. Staff interviews showed inconsistent practices, and the DON stated there was no official direction for how residents should be transported.
A resident with heart failure, anemia, and Alzheimer's disease experienced a deficiency in wound care management after a fall. The facility failed to document and execute physician-ordered treatments for the resident's abrasions, leading to inconsistencies in care. Observations and staff interviews revealed incomplete documentation, confusion over treatment orders, and a lack of communication regarding the resident's worsening condition.
Facility staff failed to maintain sanitary food handling practices during meal service. A Social Services designee and a CNA were observed using bare hands to handle food items directly, such as peeling bananas and applying jelly to toast, contrary to the facility's policy. The Food Service Supervisor confirmed that staff should use utensils, gloves, or paper towels to prevent direct contact with ready-to-eat foods.
A resident who tested positive for COVID-19 was placed in isolation, but the facility failed to post necessary signage indicating transmission-based precautions. PPE was available outside the room, but the lack of signage could lead to unawareness of required precautions. The DON admitted that the signage was not put up due to the isolation being initiated over the weekend, contrary to the facility's policy.
A resident with severely impaired decision-making ability fell and sustained fractures after a CNA assisted her without using a gait belt, contrary to the facility's policy. The resident's condition significantly declined following the incident, requiring increased assistance for transfers.
A facility failed to prime an insulin pen before administering it to a resident with Type II diabetes mellitus, contrary to the manufacturer's instructions. The LPN admitted to the mistake, and the DON confirmed the requirement to prime all insulin pens.
Residents Transported Backwards in Shower Chairs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure staff respected residents’ dignity while transporting residents to and from the shower room for 3 of 4 observed residents. Resident #53 had severe cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 5, dementia, and required substantial to maximum assistance for bathing and transfers. During observation, the resident sat in a shower chair in the hallway facing away from the shower room and was pulled backwards approximately 8 feet into the shower room by a CNA, who told the resident she could not push him forward because the chair did not have foot pedals. Resident #5 had severe cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 4, dementia, and anxiety, and was dependent on staff for showering, transfers, and lower body dressing. During two observations, a CNA pulled the resident backwards in a shower chair down the hallway from the resident’s room to the shower room, with the resident facing the opposite direction of travel. In one observation, the resident was unclothed and covered with a sheet, and when the resident shifted in the chair, she exposed herself from the abdomen to the feet. Resident #54 had moderate cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 10 and diagnoses including left femur fracture, adult failure to thrive, adjustment disorder with depressed mood, and anxiety. The resident required substantial to maximal staff assistance for bathing and transfers. During observation, a CNA transported the resident in a shower chair through the hallway with a bath sheet over the resident’s lap, then turned the chair to enter the shower room, exposing the resident’s unclothed left side from hip to foot. Staff interviews confirmed that one CNA routinely pulled residents backwards in shower chairs, while another CNA stated residents should be pushed in a wheelchair to the shower room and transferred there. The DON stated she had no official direction or expectation for how residents should be transported, while the ADON stated staff should not pull residents backwards and that it was a dignity concern.
Failure to Document and Execute Physician-Ordered Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to process physician orders and provide and document physician-ordered treatments for a resident with skin conditions. The resident, who had diagnoses of heart failure, anemia, and Alzheimer's disease, was found to have abrasions on her knees, foot, and shoulder after a fall. Despite physician orders for specific wound care treatments, there were multiple instances where treatments were not documented or carried out as prescribed. The treatment record lacked documentation of treatments performed, and there were inconsistencies in the application and documentation of wound care. Observations revealed that staff did not consistently follow through with the prescribed treatments. For instance, a registered nurse noted that the resident's left knee wound appeared worse than before, prompting a call to the DON for a new treatment order. However, there was a lack of documentation for several days, and staff were unsure about the last dressing change. The treatment records were incomplete, and there was confusion among staff regarding the orders and their execution. Interviews with staff highlighted issues with communication and documentation processes. Staff reported difficulties in reading orders, missing treatment records, and incomplete documentation of skin assessments. The DON and other nursing staff acknowledged the presence of paper records everywhere, which contributed to the confusion and lack of proper documentation. The physician expected staff to notify him of any changes in the wound condition, but there was no evidence that this was consistently done.
Failure to Maintain Sanitary Food Handling Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility staff failed to serve food under sanitary conditions during one of the two meals observed, potentially leading to foodborne illness. During observations, a Social Services designee and a certified nursing assistant (CNA) were seen using their bare hands to handle food items directly. The Social Services designee peeled a banana and used her bare hand to remove the banana from the peel before giving it to a resident or placing it on the resident's plate. Similarly, the CNA peeled a banana and placed it on a resident's plate with her bare hand, then picked up a slice of toast with her bare hand to apply jelly before placing it on the resident's plate. The Food Service Supervisor later confirmed that staff should use utensils, gloves, or paper towels to handle ready-to-eat foods to prevent direct contact with bare hands. The facility's General Food Preparation and Handling policy, dated 2013, specifies that bare hands should never touch raw food directly and that prepared foods should be served using tongs, forks, or other suitable implements to avoid manual contact.
Failure to Implement Proper Isolation Signage for COVID-19 Positive Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to infection control protocols for a resident on transmission-based precautions, leading to a deficiency. Resident #19, who tested positive for COVID-19, was placed in isolation on 09/02/24. However, observations on 09/09/24 revealed that there was no signage indicating the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) or the resident's isolation status outside the room. PPE was stored in a plastic bin outside the room, but the absence of proper signage could lead to unawareness among staff and visitors about the necessary precautions. During an interview, the Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that no order was written for the resident's isolation, and they followed standard CDC recommendations. The DON also reported that the isolation signage was not put up because the resident was placed in isolation over the weekend. The facility's policy, revised in 8/2019, requires clear identification of the type of precautions, anticipated duration, and necessary PPE, along with appropriate notification on the room entrance and resident's chart. This policy was not followed, contributing to the deficiency.
Failure to Use Gait Belt Results in Resident Injury
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure staff transferred a resident in a safe manner, resulting in a fall and subsequent injuries. Resident #14, who had severely impaired decision-making ability and required extensive assistance for transfers, was being assisted by a CNA without the use of a gait belt. The resident's left knee gave out, causing her to fall backwards and sustain a wrist fracture and a femur fracture. The facility's Gait Belt Policy, which mandates the use of gait belts for safe transfers, was not followed by the staff member involved in the incident. The incident report and staff interviews revealed that the CNA attempted to hold Resident #14 by her underarms, but the resident still fell hard to the floor. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident required the assistance of 1-2 staff members and that a gait belt should have been used. Following the fall, Resident #14 was transferred to the hospital, where she was diagnosed with fractures and underwent surgical repair. The resident's condition significantly declined after the fall, requiring total assistance by 2 staff members and a mechanical lift for transfers.
Failure to Prime Insulin Pen Before Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to prime the insulin pen prior to administration for Resident #6, who has a diagnosis of Type II diabetes mellitus with moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and macular edema in the right eye. During an observation, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) prepped the insulin pen by wiping the hub with alcohol, applying the needle, and turning the insulin pen knob to 18 units without priming it. The LPN then injected the insulin into the resident's abdomen without ensuring the pen was primed as per the manufacturer's instructions. During an interview, the LPN admitted to sometimes not priming the insulin pen based on the type of needles used, but acknowledged the mistake upon further questioning. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that all insulin pens should be primed to at least 2 units before administration. The facility's Medication Administration Policy did not address the process of insulin pen administration, and the manufacturer's instructions clearly stated the need to prime the pen to ensure proper dosing.
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Resident with a documented fall history left unattended on the patio; found on the ground with a hip fracture.
Walk-in cooler logs missing for 12 days; expired supplements in the medication room fridge.
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Nursing homes near Ottumwa
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgewood Specialty Care | 2.2 mi | ★★★★★ | 5 | 0 |
| Good Samaritan - Ottumwa | 2.3 mi | ★★★★★ | 13 | 0 |
| Bloomfield Care Center | 17.9 mi | ★★★★★ | 5 | 0 |
| Oakwood Specialty Care | 20.2 mi | ★★★★★ | 2 | 0 |
| Davis Center | 21.1 mi | — | 0 | 0 |
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Trusted data, never guesswork. Every citation, penalty, rating and Plan of Correction on this page is sourced from public CMS records (latest release July 2026) and official state health department websites.