Above average — CMS composite of the measures below.
The next survey window likely opens around February 2027
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 Valley Vue Care Center during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Insulin Pen Not Primed Before Administration: An RN failed to prime a resident's insulin pen before giving insulin and also did not perform hand hygiene before donning gloves or after removing a glove. The RN dialed the pen without the needle attached, attached the needle while still wearing the same gloves, was unsure which side to use, and administered the insulin without following the manufacturer's priming instructions. The DON stated staff should prime the insulin pen with the needle prior to administration.
Failure to perform hand hygiene and follow infection control practices during a resident's blood sugar check and insulin administration. An RN handled the glucose check, supplies, medication cart, computer mouse, and insulin administration while wearing soiled gloves, removed only one glove before hand hygiene, and moved between the cart and the resident's room without cleaning hands at required points. The DON stated staff should keep clean and dirty separate when using gloves.
The facility failed to provide appropriate catheter care for two residents with indwelling catheters. One resident, with intact cognition and multiple diagnoses, was observed with their catheter drainage bag either without a dignity bag or resting on the floor. Another resident, with no cognitive impairment and several diagnoses, was also observed with their catheter bag and tubing on the floor without a dignity bag. The facility's guidelines and policies for catheter care were not followed, as evidenced by these observations.
A facility failed to maintain a current order for PRN Lorazepam for a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses, including Alzheimer's and depression. The resident, on hospice care, received Lorazepam without a valid order covering specific dates in November. The administrator confirmed the lack of orders, and the facility's policy did not address antianxiety medications.
A facility failed to adhere to its policy by allowing PNAs to assist a resident with dysphagia and moderately impaired cognition. The resident required partial to moderate assistance with eating and was on a mechanically altered diet. Despite the facility's policy that residents with swallowing difficulties should only be assisted by licensed nurses or CNAs, PNAs were involved in feeding the resident. Interviews revealed that PNAs were unaware of restrictions on assisting residents with swallowing problems.
A facility failed to administer a pneumococcal vaccine to a resident with Down syndrome and cognitive deficits, despite consent from the responsible party. The resident's vaccine status was not up to date, and the clinical record lacked documentation of administration or reasons for omission. The DON noted the resident was not included in a vaccine audit, and the physician withheld the vaccine due to the resident's age, contrary to CDC guidelines.
A facility failed to provide appropriate care for two residents, leading to deficiencies. One resident did not receive a treatment order for an open wound on the right buttocks, worsening the condition. Another resident experienced an unwitnessed fall, and the facility did not conduct neurological assessments despite anticoagulant use. Additionally, there was inadequate documentation and monitoring for a suspected UTI. The DON acknowledged these deficiencies, which were contrary to facility policies.
A resident with a history of cancer, anemia, heart failure, and CVA experienced significant weight loss, but the facility failed to conduct timely assessments, interventions, or notify the Physician. Despite a physician's order for supplements, the resident's weight continued to decline, and the facility did not adhere to its weight monitoring policy, contributing to the deficiency.
Insulin Pen Not Primed Before Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assure that a resident's insulin pen was primed before insulin administration, resulting in a significant medication error for one resident reviewed. During an observation, an RN prepared to check the resident's blood sugar and administer insulin, checked the insulin orders, and did not perform hand hygiene before putting on gloves. The RN removed the insulin pen and needle from the medication cart, dialed the pen to 2 units without the needle attached, and pushed the trigger. The RN then applied the insulin pen needle while still wearing the same gloves, dialed the pen to 10 units, and was unsure which side to use for administration. The RN left and reentered the room with the soiled gloves still on, exposed the resident's abdomen, opened an alcohol swab, and administered the insulin. After the injection, the RN removed one glove, did not perform hand hygiene, discarded the insulin pen needle, and then performed hand hygiene. The manufacturer's instructions for the FlexPen stated that before each injection, the pen should be primed by turning the dose selector to 2 units, holding the pen with the needle pointing up, tapping the cartridge, and pressing the push-button until a drop of insulin appears at the needle tip. The DON stated she would expect staff to prime the insulin pen with the needle prior to administration.
Failure to Perform Hand Hygiene During Blood Sugar Check and Insulin Administration
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to perform proper hand hygiene and follow infection control guidelines during a blood sugar check and insulin administration for one resident. During observation on 3/11/2026 at 11:04 a.m., Staff A, an RN, prepared to check the resident's blood sugar before a meal, removed the needed supplies, and applied gloves without performing hand hygiene. With soiled gloves on, Staff A locked the medication cart, entered the resident's room, placed a barrier on the bed, and set supplies on it. Staff A then cleaned the resident's finger with an alcohol swab and used the glucose monitor while still wearing the soiled gloves. After the blood sugar check, Staff A continued handling supplies and equipment without hand hygiene, including cleaning up the barrier, wiping the glucose monitor, and wiping the medication cart. Staff A then checked insulin orders, removed insulin and an insulin pen needle, and manipulated the insulin pen needle and dose while still wearing soiled gloves. Staff A used the computer mouse, entered and exited the resident's room with the same gloves, and was unsure which side to administer the insulin. Staff A reentered the room, exposed the resident's abdomen, administered the insulin, removed one glove, did not perform hand hygiene, discarded the insulin pen needle, and then performed hand hygiene. The facility's hand hygiene policy stated alcohol-based hand rub is recommended before and after direct resident contact, after contact with blood, body fluids, or contaminated surfaces, and after removing gloves. The DON stated she would expect staff to keep clean and dirty separate when using gloves.
Inadequate Catheter Care for Two Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate catheter care for two residents, both of whom had indwelling catheters. Resident #12, with intact cognition and diagnoses including cerebrovascular accident, benign prostatic hyperplasia, neurogenic bladder, and urinary retention, was observed multiple times with their catheter drainage bag either without a dignity bag or resting on the floor. The care plan for Resident #12 required the use of a dignity bag and that the catheter tubing and bag be kept off the floor to prevent complications related to chronic urinary disturbances and recurrent urinary tract infections. Similarly, Resident #31, who had no cognitive impairment and diagnoses including renal insufficiency, obstructive uropathy, diabetes, non-Alzheimer's dementia, and chronic kidney disease, was observed with their catheter bag and tubing on the floor without a dignity bag on several occasions. The care plan for Resident #31 also required the use of a dignity bag and that the tubing be kept off the floor. The facility's guidelines and policies for catheter care were not followed, as evidenced by the observations of catheter bags and tubing being improperly placed, which could potentially lead to urinary tract infections.
Failure to Maintain Current PRN Psychotropic Medication Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident had a current order for the administration of as-needed (PRN) psychotropic medications. Resident #18, who had severe cognitive impairment and was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, stroke, depression, restlessness, and agitation, was on hospice care and had been prescribed Lorazepam for agitation and anxiety. The care plan included administering medications as ordered, but the facility did not maintain a valid order for the PRN Lorazepam during a specific period in November 2024. Despite the physician's instructions to continue Lorazepam for 14 days with reassessment, the facility did not have an active order covering the dates from November 19 to November 26, 2024, during which the resident received the medication. The administrator acknowledged the absence of orders for the entire period and noted that the provider only ordered the medication for 14 days at a time. Additionally, the facility's policy did not address antianxiety medications, contributing to the oversight.
Inappropriate Use of Paid Nutritional Assistant for Resident with Dysphagia
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to appropriately utilize a Paid Nutritional Assistant (PNA) for a resident with moderately impaired cognition and a history of dysphagia. The resident required partial to moderate assistance with eating and was on a mechanically altered diet due to difficulty swallowing. Despite these needs, the facility allowed PNAs to assist the resident with eating, contrary to the facility's policy that residents with swallowing difficulties should only be assisted by licensed nurses or certified nurse aides. Interviews with PNAs revealed that they provided significant assistance to the resident, including feeding and ensuring the intake of supplements. The PNAs were not aware of any restrictions on assisting residents with swallowing problems, and one PNA mentioned that she would wait for a nurse's instructions before assisting such residents. The facility's administrator acknowledged the PNAs' involvement in feeding the resident and stated that the resident was not exhibiting any swallowing difficulties. However, the facility's policy clearly stated that residents with swallowing concerns should not be assisted by PNAs, indicating a failure to adhere to established guidelines.
Failure to Administer Pneumococcal Vaccine
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received a pneumococcal vaccine, as required. Resident #28, who has diagnoses including Down syndrome and cognitive communication deficit, was identified as having short-term memory problems and modified independence with cognitive skills for daily decision-making. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment indicated that the resident's pneumococcal vaccine was not up to date and had not been offered. An Admission Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination Information form showed that the resident's responsible party had signed for the resident to receive the pneumonia vaccine. However, the clinical record lacked documentation of the vaccine being administered or any explanation for the omission. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that the resident had not yet been included in a Resident Vaccine Audit initiated on December 1, 2024. The DON later stated that the physician had not administered the vaccine because the resident was not yet 65 years old. A fax from the clinic confirmed that the resident had not received the Prevnar 20 vaccine due to age. The CDC guidelines for pneumococcal vaccination, dated October 2024, directed that adults aged 65 and older should complete pneumococcal vaccine schedules, including the option of PCV20 (Prevnar 20).
Deficiencies in Resident Care and Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate treatment and care for two residents, leading to deficiencies in maintaining their highest practical physical well-being. For one resident, the facility did not obtain and complete a treatment order for an open area on the right buttocks, despite the resident being at risk for skin breakdown due to conditions such as diabetes, incontinence, and impaired mobility. The resident's care plan included interventions for skin integrity, but the treatment records lacked documentation of care for the right buttocks, resulting in the wound worsening over time. Another resident experienced an unwitnessed fall, and the facility failed to conduct neurological assessments despite the resident being on anticoagulant medication. The resident's care plan indicated a risk for falls and included interventions such as monitoring for urinary tract infections (UTIs). After the fall, staff suspected a UTI due to the resident's behavior and dark urine, but there was a lack of documentation on urinary assessments and monitoring for adverse drug reactions after starting antibiotic treatment. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the deficiencies, including the lack of documentation and assessments related to the residents' conditions. The facility's policies required neurological assessments for unwitnessed falls and alert charting for changes in resident conditions, but these were not followed, contributing to the deficiencies in care.
Failure to Address Significant Weight Loss in Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct appropriate assessments, interventions, and timely notifications to the Physician for a resident experiencing significant weight loss. The resident, who had a history of cancer, anemia, heart failure, and cerebrovascular accident with hemiplegia, was identified as having a potential for altered nutritional status. Despite a physician's order for nutritional supplements due to weight loss, the resident's weight continued to decline significantly over several months. The resident's weight records showed a pattern of weight loss, with a 7.14% decrease in one month and an 11.97% decrease over six months. Despite these significant changes, the clinical record lacked documentation of a nutritional assessment, additional weight loss interventions, or notifications to the Physician and family. The resident's intake was also noted to be low, averaging 25-50% over a 30-day period. The facility's policy required immediate notification of significant weight changes to the Physician and family, as well as the implementation of appropriate interventions. However, the Director of Nursing acknowledged that no actions were taken following the resident's weight loss recorded on specific dates. The facility's failure to adhere to its weight monitoring policy and to address the resident's nutritional needs contributed to the deficiency.
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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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How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accura Healthcare Of Bancroft | 15.7 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Estherville Community Care Center | 16.5 mi | ★★★★★ | 18 | 0 |
| Good Samaritan - Estherville | 16.9 mi | ★★★★★ | 11 | 0 |
| Lakeview Methodist Health Care Center | 17.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 12 | 0 |
| Lakeside Lutheran Home | 21.6 mi | ★★★★★ | 6 | 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.