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 Life Care Center Of The North Shore during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
Food Served at Improper Temperatures and Poor Palatability: Residents reported hot food was often served cold and meal trays took 20 to 30 minutes to reach the units. Surveyors observed three test trays with hot items below the FSD’s stated target of 120 degrees F or higher and cold items above the expected 39 to 45 degrees F range, along with soggy, mushy, gritty, lumpy, gummy, and bland foods that were not palatable or appetizing.
Food storage and handling practices were not followed. In nourishment kitchens, several opened beverages and supplements were left undated, including milk, creamer, a fortified drink, and almond milk. During meal service, a CNA and a nurse handled ready-to-eat foods with bare hands, and a cook continued preparing resident meals with gloves that had been contaminated after touching his face, clothing, and equipment. The DON and FSD stated staff should use gloves or utensils and avoid bare-hand contact with resident food.
Failure to address significant weight loss: A resident with stroke, DM, and kidney disease lost more than 5% of body weight in one month and continued to lose weight, but the record did not show timely nutritional interventions. The RD knew of the weight loss, noted the resident had a good appetite and food preferences affected intake, yet no supplement was started and the nutritional assessment was incomplete. The resident said a supplement had not been offered, and nursing staff were unaware of the significant weight loss.
Failure to Change Enteral Feeding Supplies Daily: A resident with a g-tube, dysphagia, and malnutrition was observed with enteral feeding supplies that were not changed as required. The tube feeding pump was off, the water flush bag was undated, and the enteral feed pump tubing and syringe were dated three days earlier. The facility policy required proximal spike sets to be replaced every 24 hours unless otherwise ordered, and both an LPN and the DON stated the tubing, water bag, and syringe should have been changed daily.
Surveyors observed that food was not consistently served at safe or appetizing temperatures, with hot foods often below 120°F and cold foods above 50°F. Multiple residents reported dissatisfaction with the temperature and taste of meals, and test tray audits confirmed that food was frequently served outside the facility's required temperature ranges.
Surveyors identified improper food storage and labeling practices, including raw chicken stored above ready-to-eat foods and multiple open, undated food items in both the main kitchen and unit kitchenettes. Staff interviews confirmed these actions were not consistent with facility policy, which requires proper dating and storage of all food items and removal of expired products.
During a GI outbreak, the facility did not notify the physician of changes in condition for three residents who experienced symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and significant weight loss. Despite facility policy requiring prompt notification, there was no documentation that the physician or NP was informed, and interviews with staff confirmed a lack of awareness and communication regarding the outbreak and affected residents.
During a GI outbreak, the facility did not document symptoms for most affected residents, despite staff expectations and facility policy. Additionally, a resident with a dialysis fistula had repeated inaccurate documentation of blood pressure readings, with records showing use of the left arm when only the right arm was used, contrary to physician orders.
The facility failed to ensure a dignified existence for three residents by not assisting with the removal of unwanted chin hair. Residents with moderate cognitive impairment and various medical conditions were observed with significant chin hair and expressed a desire to have it removed. Staff confirmed it was their responsibility to assist, but this was not done, and care plans did not indicate any refusal of care.
The facility failed to ensure that two residents were free from physical restraints. Pillows were placed under the fitted sheets to prevent the residents from climbing out of bed, effectively acting as restraints. The facility did not have proper assessments, consents, or physician's orders for these restraints, and the care plans did not address their use.
The facility failed to communicate the appropriate diet and assess the diet texture for a resident upon readmission from a hospital stay. The resident, with a history of dysphagia and other conditions, was readmitted with a regular diet order instead of the previously prescribed Regular Easy to Chew (ETC) diet. Observations and staff interviews confirmed that the resident struggled with food preparation and required a speech therapy assessment, which was not conducted.
A facility failed to follow a physician's order for a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and swelling in the lower right leg. The resident was observed multiple times wearing non-skid socks instead of the prescribed TED stockings. A nurse confirmed the oversight and noted that the night shift was responsible for putting on the stockings.
The facility failed to provide necessary treatment and services to prevent and manage pressure ulcers for two residents. One resident developed a stage 2 pressure ulcer due to lack of preventative interventions upon admission, while another resident did not receive ordered Prevalon heel boots, leading to redness and non-blanchable discoloration on the heels.
The facility failed to properly label medications and store treatment items separately from oral medications in one of three medication carts. An open Arnuity inhaler without a date, Calamine lotion, Tucks pads, and Preparation H cream were found stored together. A nurse was unable to locate the date the inhaler was opened, contrary to manufacturer guidelines.
Food Served at Improper Temperatures and Poor Palatability
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure food and drink were palatable, attractive, and served at a safe and appetizing temperature for three out of three test trays. During the Resident Council meeting, 8 of 10 residents said hot food is often served cold, and all 10 residents said meal trays usually take 20 to 30 minutes to be passed out on the units, which they believed affected food temperatures. Surveyors observed three test trays on different units and found multiple items below expected temperatures and lacking palatability. On the second-floor tray, the hot dog was 118 degrees F and the roll was soggy and mushy from bean and coleslaw liquid; coleslaw was 78 degrees F, pudding was 60 degrees F, and milk was 58 degrees F. On the third-floor mechanically altered tray, pureed cabbage with carrots was 114 degrees F, pureed bread was 108 degrees F, pudding was 62 degrees F, and milk was 59 degrees F. On the fourth-floor mechanically altered tray, pureed hot dog was 104 degrees F, pureed baked beans 114 degrees F, pureed cabbage with carrots 110 degrees F with a thick, gummy texture and bland flavor, pureed bread 98 degrees F with a gritty, lumpy texture and bland flavor, pudding 56 degrees F, and milk 60 degrees F. The Food Service Director stated hot foods should be 120 degrees F or higher when served and cold foods should be 39 to 45 degrees F for palatability.
Food Storage and Handling Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store and handle food in accordance with professional standards of practice for food service safety. During observations in three nourishment kitchens, multiple opened beverage and nutritional supplement containers were found without dates, including honey-thick milk, half-and-half creamer, a nutritionally fortified supplemental drink, lactose-free milk, and almond milk. Some items were dated, but others were opened and undated despite manufacturer instructions for use after opening. The Food Service Director stated that all food and beverage items should be labeled with received and opened dates and that opened items should be discarded after three days, while the Director of Nursing stated nursing was responsible for dating some items and overnight nursing was responsible for discarding opened items that exceeded the three-day policy. The facility also failed to prevent bare-hand contact with ready-to-eat foods. During breakfast service, a CNA handled hard-boiled eggs with bare hands, deshelled them, and returned them to a resident’s plate. A nurse handled English muffins with bare hands, split them open, spread butter on them, and returned them to residents’ plates. Both staff members stated they believed bare-hand handling of sanitized ready-to-eat foods was acceptable, while the DON stated staff were expected to wear gloves when handling ready-to-eat foods and that there should be no bare-hand contact with resident food. During lunch service, a cook handled resident meal items with gloves that had been potentially contaminated after touching a dish cart handle, his shirt, his face, and oven door handles. Without changing gloves, he continued assembling plates, removed excess food from plates, handled rolls, placed hot dogs into rolls, and split open a baked potato for service. The cook stated he should have changed gloves multiple times and did not. The FSD stated dietary staff should not touch food directly without utensils and should change gloves after touching their face, clothing, or oven door handles.
Failure to Address Significant Weight Loss
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to identify and implement nutritional interventions for a resident with significant weight loss. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease, and the most recent MDS indicated intact cognition and that the resident required staff assistance with activities of daily living. The resident weighed 188.9 lbs. on 12/29/25 and 178.9 lbs. on 1/26/26, a 5.29% loss in one month, with a further decrease to 174.7 lbs. by 3/18/26. The facility policy on weight monitoring stated that unplanned weight loss of 5% or more in a month or more than 10% in 6 months should be reported to the practitioner for further evaluation. The resident’s care plan identified a nutritional risk and included interventions for the RD to evaluate and make diet change recommendations as needed, but the physician orders did not include nutritional supplements. The record showed a weight warning on 3/5/26 noting a 7.5% change and documenting that the resident reported a good appetite, no nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or edema, and that food preferences affected meal completion. The medical record did not show that a new nutritional intervention was implemented after the RD was aware of the significant weight loss. The nutritional assessment dated 3/11/26 was incomplete. During interview, the RD stated she monitored weights weekly, knew the resident had significant weight loss in January and continued to lose weight, and confirmed that a supplement had not been implemented even though it would have been beneficial. The resident stated a supplement would be accepted and had not been offered. Nursing staff said they were unaware of the significant weight loss, and the DON stated the RD and nursing staff were responsible for monitoring weights and that an intervention should have been implemented within two weeks.
Failure to Change Enteral Feeding Supplies Daily
Penalty
Summary
Services were not provided in accordance with professional standards of practice for one resident with a gastrostomy tube. The resident was admitted in March 2026 with diagnoses including dysphagia, malignant neoplasm of the skin of the scalp and neck, and unspecified protein-calorie malnutrition. The resident’s rehab admission assessment documented cognitive intactness with a Brief Interview for Mental Status score of 13 out of 15, and the nursing admission assessment indicated the resident was NPO, dependent on enteral nutrition, and required assistance with activities of daily living. The resident’s medication administration record showed an enteral feed order for Jevity 1.5 at 90 mL/hr for 18 hours via pump, with 100 mL purified water flushes every 6 hours. During observation, the resident was awake and lying in bed with a tube feeding pump, formula bottle, and water bag at the bedside, and a syringe on the overbed table. The tube feeding pump was off, the water flush bag was undated, and both the enteral feed pump tubing and syringe were dated three days earlier. The facility policy stated proximal spike sets should be replaced once every 24 hours unless otherwise ordered. Nurse #2 stated the enteral pump feed tubing date also applied to the water bag and said the resident’s enteral pump feed tubing, water bag, and syringe should have been changed daily. The DON also stated enteral feed pump tubing should be changed every 24 hours and expected the resident’s enteral feed supplies to be changed daily.
Failure to Serve Palatable Food at Safe and Appetizing Temperatures
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors found that the facility failed to serve food that was palatable and at a safe and appetizing temperature across all three units. The facility's own Test Tray Audit form specified that hot foods should be above 120°F, cold foods below 50°F, and trays should be served within 15-20 minutes. However, multiple residents voiced dissatisfaction with the temperature and taste of the food, with several stating that food was often cold when delivered. During test tray audits, food items such as cream of wheat, scrambled eggs, toast, and hashbrowns were consistently served below the required hot food temperature, and cold items like milk and juice were often above the required cold food temperature. Additionally, food was observed to be served on paper products in one unit due to a Norovirus outbreak. The Food Service Director confirmed that her expectations for food temperature and serving times matched the facility's policy, and the Registered Dietitian stated that hot food should be at least 140°F when served. Despite these expectations, observations showed that food was not consistently served within the required temperature ranges or timeframes, and residents reported dissatisfaction with both the temperature and palatability of the meals provided.
Improper Food Storage and Labeling Practices
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food in accordance with professional standards for food service safety, as evidenced by multiple observations of improper food storage and labeling practices in the main kitchen and unit kitchenettes. Specifically, raw chicken was stored on the top tray of a rack in the walk-in refrigerator above cooked pork and ready-to-eat deli meat, with the chicken bags open and undated. Additionally, several food items in the walk-in and reach-in refrigerators, such as sandwiches, shredded cheese, fried food, pasta salad, American cheese, salami, deli turkey, and various juices, were found open and undated. In the unit kitchenettes, similar issues were observed, including undated open juices, undated cooked salami, undated egg salad sandwiches, and leftover food containers without dates or proper labeling. Expired milk was also found in one kitchenette refrigerator. Interviews with staff confirmed that these practices were not in line with facility policy, which requires all open and prepared food items to be dated and stored properly, with raw foods kept below ready-to-eat foods. The Assistant Food Service Director acknowledged that raw chicken should not have been stored above cooked pork, and the Food Service Director stated that all undated and expired foods should be discarded. A Certified Nursing Aide also noted that expired milk should have been removed from the refrigerator, as the kitchen staff is responsible for daily checks and organization.
Failure to Notify Physician of Change in Condition During GI Outbreak
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the physician of a change in condition for three residents during a gastrointestinal (GI) outbreak, as required by facility policy. Nineteen residents were identified as having GI symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting, with the earliest onset recorded on 3/19/25. For three residents, there was no documentation that the physician was notified of their change in condition, despite the presence of significant symptoms and, in one case, notable weight loss. One resident with dementia, stroke, and diabetes, who was dependent for all care, experienced vomiting and diarrhea over several days, but there was no evidence in the nursing progress notes that the physician was informed. Another resident, cognitively intact but dependent for care, had vomiting and diarrhea and received Pepto-Bismol, yet again, there was no documentation of physician notification. A third resident, also cognitively intact and requiring moderate assistance, exhibited GI symptoms and lost seven pounds in one day, but the physician was not notified of either the symptoms or the weight loss. Interviews with the Medical Director, MDS Coordinator, Infection Preventionist, and DON confirmed that neither the Medical Director nor the Nurse Practitioner was notified of the outbreak or the residents' symptoms. Staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness regarding the need for physician notification and documentation during such outbreaks, and the DON was unaware of the extent of the documentation gaps and the significant weight loss experienced by one resident.
Failure to Maintain Accurate Medical Records During GI Outbreak and for Dialysis Patient
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain complete and accurate medical records for residents during a gastrointestinal (GI) outbreak and for a resident with specific blood pressure monitoring requirements. During a Norovirus outbreak on the Garden View Unit, 19 residents were identified as having GI symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, review of medical records showed that for 16 of these residents, there was no documentation of their GI symptoms. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that nursing staff did not document symptoms, assessments, or interventions related to the GI illness, despite facility policy and staff expectations that such changes in condition should be recorded in the medical record. Additionally, for a resident with end stage renal disease and a dialysis fistula in the left arm, nursing documentation repeatedly indicated that blood pressure readings were taken from the left arm, contrary to physician orders. Interviews with the resident and staff revealed that only the right arm was used for blood pressure readings, and the documentation of left arm use was inaccurate. The DON confirmed that accurate documentation of which arm was used is expected.
Failure to Assist with Removal of Unwanted Chin Hair
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a dignified existence for three residents by not assisting with the removal of unwanted chin hair. Resident #23, who has a traumatic brain injury and moderate cognitive impairment, was observed multiple times with significant chin hair. The resident expressed embarrassment and stated that staff did not offer to remove the hair. Both a CNA and a nurse confirmed that it is the responsibility of CNAs to remove unwanted chin hair during morning care, but this was not done for Resident #23. The resident's care plan and progress notes did not indicate any refusal of care, highlighting a lapse in personal hygiene assistance. Similarly, Resident #45, who has osteoarthritis, weakness, and depression, and also has moderate cognitive impairment, was observed with significant chin hair on multiple occasions. The resident expressed a desire to have the hair removed and mentioned that usually, his/her daughter would do it, but staff had not offered to assist. Resident #97, admitted with drug-induced polyneuropathy and muscle weakness, was also observed with thick facial hair on several occasions. The resident expressed a desire to have the hair removed, and a CNA confirmed that it is their responsibility to offer shaving during morning care. The medical record for Resident #97 did not indicate any refusal of care, further emphasizing the facility's failure to assist with personal hygiene.
Failure to Ensure Residents are Free from Physical Restraints
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two residents, Resident #81 and Resident #102, were free from the use of physical restraints. Resident #81, who has severe cognitive impairment and requires substantial assistance for bed mobility, was observed with pillows placed under the fitted sheet on both sides of the bed. This was done by the night staff to prevent the resident from climbing out of bed, effectively acting as a restraint. The facility did not have an assessment, consent, or physician's order for the use of these restraints, and the care plan did not address the use of restraints or the placement of pillows under the fitted sheet. Similarly, Resident #102, who has moderately impaired cognition and is at high risk for falls, was observed with a pillow tucked under the fitted sheet on the right side of the bed. This was done to prevent the resident from climbing out of bed, as the resident has a behavior of kicking legs and attempting to get out of bed. The facility also failed to have an assessment, consent, or physician's order for the use of this restraint, and the care plan did not address the use of restraints. Interviews with CNAs and nurses confirmed that the pillows were placed under the fitted sheets to prevent the residents from getting out of bed, effectively acting as restraints. The Director of Nursing stated that the facility is supposed to be restraint-free and that staff should not be using pillows in this manner without proper assessment and documentation.
Failure to Communicate and Assess Appropriate Diet for Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to meet professional standards of quality for one resident, specifically by not communicating the appropriate diet and failing to assess the diet texture upon readmission from a hospital stay. Resident #8, who had a history of anoxic brain injury, dysphagia, and other conditions, was readmitted to the facility with a diet order of a regular diet, despite previously being on a Regular Easy to Chew (ETC) diet. The transfer form to the hospital did not indicate the resident's therapeutic diet, and upon readmission, the resident was not reassessed by speech therapy to confirm the appropriate diet texture. Observations revealed that Resident #8 struggled to cut food and was not using a lip plate, which was part of the dietary recommendations. Signs indicating the need for food to be cut into bite-sized pieces were present, but the resident was still observed eating whole sausages and other foods that were not appropriately prepared. Interviews with staff confirmed that the resident had a history of choking and required food to be cut up, and that a speech therapy assessment was necessary to upgrade the diet from Regular ETC to a regular diet. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged that the readmission paperwork should have been reviewed to ensure accuracy and that a speech evaluation should have been completed upon the resident's return from the hospital. The DON and the Director of Rehabilitation (DOR) both confirmed that the resident was not evaluated in the hospital or the facility after the initial speech therapy assessment, leading to the deficiency in providing the appropriate diet and necessary assessments for Resident #8.
Failure to Follow Physician's Order for TED Stockings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow a physician's order for a resident who was admitted with diagnoses including hyperlipidemia and dementia. The resident, who has moderate cognitive impairment and requires assistance with lower body dressing, had an order for TED stockings to be worn in the morning and removed in the evening. However, during multiple observations over three consecutive days, the resident was found wearing non-skid socks instead of the prescribed TED stockings, and exhibited swelling in the lower right leg. A nurse confirmed that the resident should have been wearing the TED stockings as per the physician's order and indicated that the night shift was responsible for putting them on when the resident gets up.
Failure to Implement Pressure Ulcer Prevention and Treatment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two residents received necessary treatment and services to promote healing, prevent infection, and prevent new pressure ulcers from developing. For one resident, who was totally dependent on staff and at high risk for pressure ulcers, the facility did not implement interventions to prevent pressure ulcer development upon admission. This resident developed a stage 2 pressure ulcer within 24 days of admission. The resident's clinical record indicated multiple skin issues upon readmission, but no skin care plan or interventions were put in place until after the pressure ulcer developed. The Wound Nurse and Director of Nursing Services acknowledged that preventative measures should have been implemented at the time of admission and reviewed weekly to prevent worsening of the wounds. For another resident, the facility failed to implement Prevalon heel boots as ordered by the physician. This resident, who had moderate cognitive impairment and was at risk for developing pressure ulcers, was observed multiple times without the Prevalon heel boots while lying in bed. The resident's heels were directly placed on the mattress, leading to redness and non-blanchable discoloration. Despite the physician's order and documentation indicating that the boots were to be worn, the resident was not provided with the necessary protective equipment. Interviews with nursing staff and the Director of Nursing confirmed that physician orders should be followed as written. These deficiencies highlight the facility's failure to adhere to professional standards of practice in providing necessary treatment and services to prevent and manage pressure ulcers. The lack of timely interventions and failure to follow physician orders contributed to the development and worsening of pressure ulcers in these residents.
Improper Medication Labeling and Storage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure medications were labeled properly and treatment items were not stored with oral medications in one of three medication carts observed. The facility's policy indicated that external use medications and biologicals should be stored separately from internal use medications and biologicals, and that opened medications should have the date of opening recorded if they have a shortened expiration date. During an observation, a surveyor found an open Arnuity inhaler without a date, a bottle of Calamine topical lotion, a box of Tucks hemorrhoidal pads, and a tube of Preparation H hemorrhoidal cream stored together in the Hillview medication cart. Nurse #5 was unable to locate the date when the inhaler was opened, which is against the manufacturer's directions to discard the inhaler 6 weeks after opening.
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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 Lynn
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | 0.4 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Phillips Manor Nursing Home | 1.6 mi | — | 0 | 0 |
| Salem Rehab Center | 1.8 mi | ★★★★★ | 24 | 0 |
| Jeffrey & Susan Brudnick Center For Living | 3.1 mi | ★★★★★ | 1 | 0 |
| Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation And Healthcare Ctr | 3.2 mi | ★★★★★ | 15 | 0 |
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