Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
A standard survey is most likely before around September 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 Karen Acres Care Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
A resident with multiple diagnoses, including osteoarthritis, cervical spinal stenosis, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD, had a care plan directing all transfers with an Ez-stand and 2 staff. During an attempted bed-to-wheelchair transfer, a CNA used a gait belt instead, did not review the Therapy Communication Binder at the start of the shift, and the resident became too weak to complete the transfer and was lowered to the floor.
A resident with a high fall risk and a care plan requiring assistance with transfers and ambulation using a gait belt experienced a fall when a CNA let go of the gait belt to move a shower chair, allowing the resident to lose balance and fall. Observations also found that staff did not consistently use gait belts as required by facility policy, and staff acknowledged not following protocol.
The facility failed to maintain uncluttered hallways, impacting the safety and homelike environment for residents. Observations revealed cluttered hallways with wheelchairs and mechanical lifts, obstructing access and movement. Staff interviews indicated that equipment was often left in hallways due to limited storage space. The facility lacked a specific policy for equipment storage, despite having a policy for a safe and homelike environment.
The facility failed to serve the appropriate menu for two meals and did not follow a standard pureed process. During lunch, Staff E blended and served food without measuring the volume, and the dessert was not provided. At breakfast, the sausage patty was not prepared or served. The Executive Chef noted the need for more education on serving sizes and utensils, and expressed concerns about serving sizes appearing larger than necessary.
The facility was found to have improper food storage practices, with several items in the refrigerator and freezer being unlabeled, undated, and improperly covered. This was contrary to the facility's policy requiring foods to be covered, labeled, and dated. The Administrator acknowledged the requirement for proper labeling and storage.
A CNA at a long-term care facility violated a resident's privacy by recording and posting a video of the resident on social media. The resident, who had dementia and required assistance with daily activities, was shown in the video with their face and voice identifiable. The CNA admitted to posting the video, despite being aware of the facility's policy against such actions. The incident was reported by another CNA, leading to an investigation.
A resident's catheter tubing was observed lying on the floor, contrary to infection control policies. Additionally, a DON mishandled a used lancet by placing it in a container with other medical equipment and failing to sanitize it, violating the facility's infection control procedures.
Improper Transfer Led to Resident Being Lowered to the Floor
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow Resident #3’s care plan for proper and safe transfers when staff attempted to transfer the resident from bed to wheelchair and the resident had to be lowered to the floor. Resident #3’s MDS documented a BIMS of 13, indicating the resident was cognitively intact, and diagnoses included atrial fibrillation, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorder, osteoarthritis, cervical spinal stenosis, bipolar disorder, depression, and PTSD. The care plan, revised on 9/2/25, identified an ADL self-care deficit and directed that all transfers be completed with an Ez-stand and assistance from two staff members. The incident note documented that a CNA notified the nurse that the resident was lowered to the floor during the transfer because the resident was unable to make it to the wheelchair. Staff interviews showed the CNA who performed the transfer did not review the Therapy Communication Binder at the start of the shift and used a gait belt instead of the Ez-stand. The CNA stated the resident became too weak to complete the transfer or return to the bedside and was slowly lowered to the floor. Staff also stated the resident’s transfer status had been changed due to increased weakness and increased risk of falls, and that this change had been documented in the care plan and Therapy Communication Binder.
Failure to Follow Care Plan and Gait Belt Policy Results in Resident Fall
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to follow the care plan for a resident identified as very high risk for falls, resulting in a fall incident. The resident, who had intact cognition and a history of frequent falls, required assistance with transfers and ambulation using a gait belt and walker, as documented in her care plan. During an incident, a CNA was assisting the resident to the shower room and let go of the gait belt to move a shower chair that was blocking access to the toilet. The resident attempted to follow the CNA, lost her balance, and fell, sustaining a skin tear on her left hand. The fall was witnessed by staff. Further observations revealed that staff did not consistently use gait belts during transfers and ambulation, as required by both the resident's care plan and facility policy. On a separate occasion, another CNA was observed assisting the same resident without a gait belt and acknowledged this was not in accordance with protocol. The facility's policy mandates the use of gait belts for residents who are unsteady or require assistance, and the Director of Nursing confirmed that gait belts should always be used for transfers and ambulation.
Cluttered Hallways and Equipment Storage Issues
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain uncluttered hallways, compromising the safety and homelike environment for residents. On one of the three hallways, multiple wheelchairs, full body and standing mechanical lifts, and a dining chair were observed cluttering one side of the hallway. Additionally, an isolation cart was placed outside a room, partially obstructing the doorway of a resident who required supervision or assistance for wheelchair locomotion. Staff interviews revealed that mechanical lifts were typically left in the hallway near the rooms of residents who used them, and a wheelchair obstructing a doorway was moved by a CNA after being noted. Further observations showed that while wheelchairs were removed from the hallway, mechanical lifts remained, causing staff to move them to access medication carts. The facility's Administrator acknowledged the limited storage space in the older building and stated that equipment storage should be limited to one side of the hall. However, the facility lacked a specific policy for equipment storage, despite having a policy for providing a safe, clean, and homelike environment. The deficiency was noted in the context of the facility's reported resident census of twenty-eight.
Failure to Follow Menu and Pureed Process
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to serve the appropriate menu for two observed meals and did not follow a standard pureed process for food preparation. During lunch preparation, Staff E, a cook, blended two servings of tator tot casserole, peaches, coleslaw, and bread and butter without measuring the volume of the pureed food. The prepared items were placed in separate bowls and stored without ensuring the correct serving sizes. Additionally, the facility did not serve the dessert, smores brownies, as indicated on the menu. During breakfast preparation, Staff E prepared cinnamon rolls, oatmeal, and cream of wheat, but did not prepare or serve the sausage patty as listed on the menu. The Executive Chef, Staff K, confirmed that the cook needs more education on serving sizes and utensils. Staff K described the pureed process, which involves measuring the blended food and using a food portion chart to determine the appropriate scoop size. However, this process was not followed during the observed meal preparations. The Executive Chef also expressed concerns about the serving sizes appearing larger than they should be and mentioned the need to review the process with a new Registered Dietician.
Improper Food Storage Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain sanitary practices in food storage, as observed during a kitchen inspection. A True refrigerator was found to contain several items that were improperly stored: an undated, previously opened jar of mayonnaise; an unlabeled bowl of meat and vegetables; an unlabeled, undated tub of a chopped orange item; an unlabeled, undated, and partially uncovered bowl of chopped cantaloupe; and an unlabeled, undated tub of a shredded orange item. Additionally, a True freezer contained an unlabeled, undated bag of meat and an unlabeled, undated block of meat wrapped in Saran wrap. Furthermore, a shelf in the kitchen held an undated, previously opened jar of peanut butter. The facility's policy, titled Dining Services Storage and dated June 2018, requires that foods held in refrigerators or other storage areas be appropriately covered, labeled, and dated. However, the observations made during the inspection revealed that these practices were not being followed. The facility reported a census of 27 residents at the time of the inspection. The Administrator confirmed that food should be labeled, dated, and covered when stored, indicating a failure to adhere to the established policy.
CNA Violates Resident Privacy by Posting Video on Social Media
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from abuse when a certified nursing assistant (CNA) used a personal smartphone to record a video of a resident and posted it on a social media site. The resident involved had a diagnosis of dementia, depression, anxiety, and chronic kidney disease, requiring assistance with personal hygiene, toileting, and dressing. The resident's cognitive impairment was moderate, with disorganized thinking and difficulty keeping track of conversations. The video, which included the resident's face and voice, was labeled with the resident's name and shared publicly. The CNA, identified as Staff G, admitted to recording and posting the video on Instagram, where it was visible to all of his followers. Staff G stated that he did not consider the implications of his actions and believed the video would delete itself after 24 hours. However, the video remained online for three hours before he removed it. Staff G claimed to have witnessed other staff members posting pictures and thought it was permissible, despite having signed a policy prohibiting such actions. The incident was reported by another CNA, Staff H, who saw the video eight hours after it was posted and informed the administration. The facility's policies clearly prohibited the use of personal devices to record or distribute images or videos of residents, and Staff G had acknowledged these policies. Despite this, the CNA proceeded with the recording, leading to a breach of the resident's right to dignity and privacy.
Infection Control Deficiencies in Catheter and Blood Glucose Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement proper infection control practices, as observed in two separate incidents. In the first incident, a resident with an indwelling catheter was observed with the catheter drainage bag hanging on the underside of the wheelchair frame and the tubing lying on the floor. This was noted on two separate occasions, indicating a failure to maintain the catheter tubing in a manner that prevents contact with the ground, as per the facility's policy for routine catheter care. The resident had a BIMS score indicating intact cognition and required maximum assistance with toileting hygiene, with a care plan in place to prevent catheter-related trauma. In the second incident, a registered nurse, who is also the Director of Nursing, was observed mishandling a used lancet after obtaining a blood glucose reading from a resident. Instead of immediately disposing of the lancet in a sharps container, the nurse placed it in a container with other medical equipment and transported it to the medication cart. The nurse then handled the equipment without wearing gloves and did not clean or sanitize the container or equipment after disposing of the lancet. This action was contrary to the facility's policy, which directs staff to dispose of lancets in a sharps container and clean equipment as needed.
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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 Urbandale
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Oaks Nursing And Rehabilitation Center | 1.2 mi | ★★★★★ | 15 | 1 |
| Pine Acres Rehabilitation And Care Center | 2.5 mi | — | 23 | 0 |
| Calvin Community | 2.6 mi | ★★★★★ | 12 | 0 |
| Childserve Habilitation Center | 2.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Walnut Ridge | 2.9 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.