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 Cummings Health Care Facility during CMS and state inspections, most recent first.
The facility did not ensure the Food Service Supervisor was qualified for the position, as she lacked the necessary certification and was not enrolled in any qualifying course. Additionally, the facility used a consultant dietician who was not employed full-time, resulting in insufficient staffing for food and nutrition services.
The facility did not submit required direct care staffing information to CMS for a fiscal quarter, as the Administrator responsible for the submission missed the deadline by one day due to a staff change. This resulted in no staffing data being recorded for the quarter, affecting all 32 residents according to facility records and interviews.
Staff failed to maintain dignity and privacy for two residents during care. In one case, a resident was exposed to the parking lot during incontinence care due to open window curtains. In another, a CNA required a resident to say 'please' before assisting with a bathroom request, which was confirmed as not treating the resident with dignity and respect.
A resident did not receive required assistance or follow-up from facility staff to complete written information about their right to accept or refuse treatment or to formulate an advance directive, as required by facility policy.
A resident with a low albumin level and a new diagnosis of protein/calorie malnutrition did not have a dietician's recommendation for protein supplementation communicated to the provider or implemented. The DON confirmed that the recommendation was missed and not acted upon.
A resident with protein-calorie malnutrition and declining albumin levels did not receive a physician-ordered nutritional supplement, despite repeated documentation of the need for this intervention. The DON was unaware of how the order was missed, and the supplement was not provided as prescribed.
Physicians did not consistently review and sign medication and treatment orders at required visits for two residents. In one case, a physician failed to sign medication orders during a required 30-day visit for a newly admitted resident. In another case, a resident's medication orders were not reviewed or renewed at the next required visit, resulting in the orders being overdue by several days. The DON confirmed these lapses during interviews.
A resident with terminal cancer receiving Hospice services did not have a care plan that included goals or interventions reflecting collaboration and shared responsibilities between the facility and Hospice. The DON confirmed that Hospice responsibilities were not integrated into the care plan.
The facility failed to store food properly and maintain accurate temperature logs. Observations revealed dessert cups with ice buildup, unlabeled bins of flour and sugar, and open, undated bags of confectioner sugar and chocolate chips. Temperature logs for refrigeration equipment were incomplete for three days, as confirmed by the Food Safety Supervisor.
The facility did not have a water management program to prevent legionella and lacked policies for enhanced barrier precautions against multidrug-resistant organisms. The DON and Maintenance Technician were unaware of these policies, and the Administrator confirmed no risk assessment or procedures were in place.
The facility failed to offer Prevnar 20 vaccinations to three residents, as revealed by a survey. Clinical records showed no evidence of the vaccine being offered, received, or refused by these residents, contrary to the facility's policy. An interview with the DON confirmed this oversight.
The facility did not ensure a C.N.A. received the required 12 hours of annual in-service training, including abuse prevention, resident rights, and dementia care. A review of the C.N.A.'s file for the evaluation period showed no evidence of completed training in these areas, a finding confirmed by the Office Manager and Administrator.
A facility failed to complete a comprehensive MDS 3.0 assessment within 14 days after a resident experienced a significant change in condition when hospice services were discontinued. The resident's most recent MDS inaccurately indicated ongoing hospice services, and both the DON and MDS Coordinator confirmed that a significant change MDS was not completed as required.
A facility failed to follow its fall protocol and physician orders for a resident who was hospitalized. The resident's neurological assessments were not completed at required intervals after a fall, and the facility did not notify the Medical Provider when the resident's systolic blood pressure exceeded the prescribed threshold. An LPN admitted to missing the assessments, and the MDS Coordinator and DON confirmed the lack of documentation for notifying the Medical Provider.
The facility did not ensure RN coverage for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week, during January and February 2024. Specific dates without adequate RN staffing were identified, indicating non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
The facility did not complete annual performance evaluations for two CNAs employed for over a year. One CNA, hired in 2018, was due for evaluation in 2024, and another, hired in 2009, was due in 2023. Both evaluations were incomplete as of July 2024, confirmed by a surveyor and the Administrator.
The facility failed to maintain a sanitary garbage storage area, as observed by a surveyor who noted a trash dumpster with an open lid and exposed trash bags. This was confirmed in an interview with the Administrator.
A resident in the facility was not offered the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine, despite the facility's policy requiring it and CDC recommendations. The resident's last documented vaccination was in April 2022, and there was no evidence of an offer or refusal of the updated vaccine. The DON confirmed the oversight during a surveyor interview.
The facility did not provide quarterly statements for trust accounts to residents or their representatives. During an interview, a resident reported not receiving any statements, and the facility's Accountant confirmed the lack of documentation and routine issuance of these statements, except under specific conditions.
The facility did not post the most recent survey results in accessible locations for residents and families. A surveyor observed outdated survey results in the dining room and entrance foyer folders, with the most recent surveys missing. The Administrator confirmed the deficiency during the surveyor's observation.
A facility failed to accurately code the Annual MDS for a resident with a Level II PASRR. The resident's clinical record showed a PASRR indicating Level II services were needed, but the MDS was incorrectly coded to reflect otherwise. This error was confirmed by the MDS Coordinator during an interview.
Unqualified Food Service Supervisor and Insufficient Dietician Staffing
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the Food Service Supervisor (FSS) met the required qualifications for a Certified Food Service Director. During an interview, the FSS stated she had been in her role for about one year but did not possess the necessary qualifications and was not enrolled in any qualifying or Managerial Servsafe course. Additionally, the facility relied on a consultant dietician who visited monthly and was not employed full-time by the facility. These actions and inactions resulted in the facility not employing sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skill sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, potentially affecting all 32 residents.
Failure to Timely Submit Required Staffing Data to CMS
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to submit complete and accurate direct care staffing information to CMS for fiscal year quarter 2 of 2025, as required. The Administrator, who is responsible for submitting staffing data based on payroll records, acknowledged that the submission for the quarter was made one day after the deadline due to a change in staff. As a result, the CASPER PBJ Staffing Data Report indicated that no data was submitted for the quarter, which was defined as a trigger for non-compliance. At the time of the survey, there were 32 residents living in the facility, as confirmed by both facility documentation and the Administrator during interviews. This deficiency was identified through record review and interviews, with the Administrator confirming both the number of residents and the late submission of required staffing data.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity and Privacy During Care
Penalty
Summary
On two separate days of survey, staff failed to maintain resident dignity and respect during care. In one instance, a resident who was dependent on staff for all activities of daily living was observed receiving incontinence care with the privacy curtain closed but the window curtains open, exposing the resident to the parking lot. This exposure was confirmed by both the surveyor and the charge nurse, who found the window curtains open while the resident was being cared for. The resident later stated a preference for the curtains to be closed during care, although they were not particularly bothered by the incident. In another instance, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) was overheard requiring a resident to say 'please' before assisting them to the bathroom. The resident expressed frustration, stating they only asked to use the bathroom. The CNA confirmed that she required the resident to say 'please' before providing assistance, citing the resident's verbal behavior. The surveyor confirmed with the CNA, as well as with the administrator and director of nursing, that the resident was not treated with dignity and respect during this interaction.
Failure to Assist Resident with Advance Directive Completion
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident and/or their representative received assistance or follow-up regarding the completion of written information about the right to accept or refuse medical or surgical treatment, formulate an advance directive, or appoint a surrogate. According to the facility's policy, the Social Service Director is responsible for assisting residents with advance directives and answering related questions. However, review of the resident's electronic medical record showed no evidence that such assistance or follow-up was provided, nor that the resident's wishes regarding advance directives were ensured.
Failure to Notify Physician of Dietician's Recommendation and Abnormal Lab Result
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify a resident's physician of a significant health change and abnormal lab result, as well as a dietician's recommendation. Specifically, a nutrition note documented that the resident had a low albumin level, with a suggestion to add protein powder to their diet. Although the facility communicated with the provider regarding the low albumin and obtained a new diagnosis of protein/calorie malnutrition, the dietician's recommendation for protein supplementation was not communicated to the provider or implemented. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the dietician's handwritten note with the recommendation was not acted upon, resulting in the omission of the suggested dietary intervention for the resident.
Failure to Administer Ordered Nutritional Supplement
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a diagnosis of protein-calorie malnutrition and a documented decrease in albumin levels had a physician's order dated 5/29/25 for Boost nutritional supplement to be given twice daily between meals. Clinical record review revealed no evidence that the resident received the ordered supplement. Physician progress notes on 6/2/25 and 6/9/25 reiterated the need for the supplement to address ongoing malnutrition, but the provider was unaware that the supplement was not being administered as ordered. During an interview, the Director of Nursing was unable to explain how the order was missed, and it was confirmed that the resident had not received the prescribed nutritional support.
Physician Failure to Timely Review and Sign Medication Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that physicians reviewed residents' total programs of care and signed medication and treatment orders at each required visit for two residents. For one newly admitted resident, the physician completed the required 30-day visits and signed admission and medication orders at the first three visits, but during the third required 30-day visit, there was no evidence that the medication orders were signed. This lapse was confirmed by the Director of Nursing (DON) during an interview. For another resident, the last set of physician orders was signed and valid for 60 days, but at the subsequent physician visit, there was no evidence that the medication orders were reviewed and signed. The orders were due for renewal, including a 10-day grace period, but as of the survey date, they were six days overdue. The DON confirmed that the orders had not been signed during the last physician visit and were overdue at the time of the survey.
Failure to Integrate Hospice Collaboration into Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to incorporate the collaboration and shared responsibilities between the facility and Hospice into the care plan for a resident receiving Hospice services. Record review showed that the resident had terminal cancer and was documented as receiving Hospice care, with the care plan listing the name of the Hospice organization. However, there was no evidence in the care plan of specific goals or interventions that reflected the coordinated care between the facility and Hospice, nor were there interventions that identified or directed the division of care responsibilities. The DON confirmed during interview that Hospice responsibilities were not integrated into the facility's care plan.
Food Storage and Temperature Log Deficiencies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to store food in a sanitary manner and maintain accurate temperature logs for refrigeration equipment. During an observation of the kitchen, it was noted that thirty chocolate and thirty-five vanilla Hormel Magic dessert cups in the freezer had a thick buildup of ice crystals, with one chocolate cup open. Additionally, two large bins of flour and sugar were found unlabeled and undated, and an open bag of confectioner sugar and a large open box of chocolate chips were not sealed or dated in the dry goods storage room. Furthermore, temperature logs for the walk-in freezer, walk-in refrigerator, and refrigerator/freezer were incomplete, with missing entries for three consecutive days. The Food Safety Supervisor confirmed these findings and stated that the temperatures were last recorded on 7/12/24, although they were supposed to be checked by the cook.
Deficiency in Infection Control Policies
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop a water management program to prevent the growth and spread of legionella and other water-borne pathogens, and also failed to establish policies and procedures for enhanced barrier precautions to reduce the transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms. During a review of the facility's infection control policies, the Director of Nursing (DON) admitted to the absence of a policy for enhanced barrier precautions. Additionally, the DON was unaware of a water management policy for legionella. The Maintenance Technician also confirmed the lack of a program to identify areas of standing water. The Administrator acknowledged that the facility had not completed a risk assessment to identify potential areas of microbial growth and lacked a policy or procedure for managing legionella and other water-borne pathogens.
Failure to Offer Pneumococcal Vaccinations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to offer Pneumococcal Vaccinations (Prevnar 20) to three residents, as identified during a survey. Clinical record reviews on July 16, 2024, revealed that three residents, identified as R10, R28, and R32, had no documentation indicating they had received, been offered, or refused the Prevnar 20 vaccination upon admission. The facility's policy mandates that each resident should be offered a pneumococcal immunization unless it is medically contraindicated or the resident has already been immunized. However, an interview with the Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the Prevnar 20 vaccine was not offered to these residents, indicating a failure to adhere to the facility's immunization policy.
Deficiency in C.N.A. In-Service Training
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a Certified Nursing Assistant (C.N.A.) received the required minimum of 12 hours of annual in-service training, which should have included topics such as abuse prevention, resident rights, and dementia care. This deficiency was identified during a review of the employee file for C.N.A.1, covering the evaluation period from February 21, 2023, to February 21, 2024. The review, conducted by a surveyor along with the Office Manager and Administrator, revealed no evidence of completed training in the specified areas for C.N.A.1. The Office Manager and Administrator confirmed the absence of this training documentation at the time of the review.
Failure to Complete MDS After Significant Change
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete a comprehensive Minimum Data Set 3.0 (MDS 3.0) assessment within 14 days after a significant change in condition for a resident. This deficiency was identified during a review of the clinical record of a resident who had discontinued hospice services. The most recent MDS indicated that the resident was still receiving hospice services, despite the fact that hospice services had ended on June 3, 2024. During an interview, both the Director of Nursing (DON) and the MDS Coordinator confirmed that a significant change MDS was not completed when the resident came off hospice, which was required.
Failure to Follow Fall Protocol and Physician Orders
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to adhere to its fall protocol and physician orders for a resident who was hospitalized. The facility's undated Falls Protocol required staff to initiate neurological checks if a resident sustained a head injury or had an unattended fall. These checks were to be conducted at specific intervals. However, for a resident who fell and bumped their head, the neurological assessments were not completed at the 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. intervals. The assessments were resumed later until the resident was sent to the hospital. During an interview, an LPN admitted to missing the assessments, assuming another staff member would complete them. Additionally, the facility did not follow physician orders regarding the monitoring of the resident's blood pressure. The resident had a physician order for Metoprolol with instructions to notify the Medical Provider if the systolic blood pressure exceeded 170. On two occasions, the resident's systolic blood pressure readings were significantly higher than the threshold, recorded at 181 and 267, but there was no evidence that the Medical Provider was notified. This was confirmed during an interview with the MDS Coordinator and the Director of Nursing, who could not find documentation of the required notifications.
Failure to Maintain RN Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to comply with the requirement of having a Registered Nurse (RN) on duty for at least 8 consecutive hours a day, 7 days a week, during the months of January and February 2024. This deficiency was identified through a review of the monthly schedules and interviews conducted by a surveyor, the Office Manager, and the Administrator on July 17, 2024. Specifically, the facility did not have an RN on duty for the required hours on January 9, January 11, January 29, February 9, February 10, and February 22, 2024. These findings indicate a lapse in staffing that did not meet the regulatory standards for RN coverage in the facility.
Failure to Complete Annual Evaluations for CNAs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete annual performance evaluations for two Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) who had been employed for more than one year. CNA #2, hired on May 9, 2018, was due for an evaluation by May 9, 2024, but there was no evidence of completion as of July 17, 2024. Similarly, CNA-M, hired on August 17, 2009, was due for an evaluation by May 9, 2023, yet no evaluation had been completed by July 17, 2024. These findings were confirmed during a review of employee files by a surveyor and the Administrator.
Improper Garbage Disposal Observed
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a garbage storage area in a sanitary condition, which could prevent the harborage and feeding of pests. On July 17, 2024, at 7:40 a.m., a surveyor observed a trash dumpster with the top right lid open and two black bags placed on top of the dumpster, exposing trash. This observation was confirmed during an interview with the Administrator at 7:44 a.m. on the same day.
Failure to Offer Updated COVID-19 Vaccine
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to offer the updated 2023-2024 COVID-19 vaccine to a resident, identified as Resident #28 (R28), who was admitted on an unspecified date and is currently of an unspecified age. The clinical record review on July 16, 2024, revealed that R28's last documented COVID-19 vaccination was on April 28, 2022, with no evidence of being offered, receiving, or refusing the updated vaccine. The facility's policy mandates offering COVID-19 immunization to each resident unless medically contraindicated or already immunized. Despite the Director of Nursing (DON) using the CDC website as a resource, which recommends the updated vaccines, the surveyor confirmed on July 17, 2024, that the vaccine was not offered to R28.
Failure to Provide Quarterly Trust Account Statements
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide quarterly statements to residents or their representatives for trust accounts, as required. This deficiency was identified during a resident interview, where a resident stated they did not recall receiving any quarterly statements for their trust account. Further investigation revealed that the facility's Accountant confirmed the absence of documentation supporting the issuance of quarterly statements to the resident. The Accountant also admitted that quarterly statements were not routinely sent to residents unless accompanied by a cost of care statement or if the trust account balance became negative.
Failure to Post Recent Survey Results
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to post the results of the most recent surveys in a location that was readily accessible to residents, family members, and legal representatives. During an observation on 7/16/24, a surveyor found that the survey folder in the dining room contained outdated survey results from 2/11/20, despite multiple surveys being completed after that date. Additionally, the survey folder in the entrance foyer contained survey results from 5/11/23, even though a more recent survey was completed on 3/5/24. The Administrator confirmed the presence of two survey folders and acknowledged that neither contained the most recent survey results, as observed by the surveyor.
Inaccurate MDS Coding for PASRR Level II
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure accurate coding of the Annual Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 for a resident with a State Level II Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR). The deficiency was identified during a review of the clinical record of a resident, which included a PASRR dated March 4, 2020, indicating the resident qualified for Level II services. However, the resident's annual MDS, starting from August 12, 2022, was incorrectly coded in Section A1500 to indicate that the resident did not have a Level II PASRR. This error was confirmed during an interview with the MDS Coordinator, who acknowledged the inaccurate coding of the MDS.
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What surveyors actually found near you
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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 Howland
How nearby facilities compare on the same public inspection record.
| Facility | Distance | Overall rating | Citations, 12 mo | Serious (J–L) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orono Commons | 24.9 mi | ★★★★★ | 4 | 0 |
| Katahdin Health Care Llc | 28 mi | ★★★★★ | 5 | 0 |
| Hibbard Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation Center | 29 mi | ★★★★★ | 4 | 0 |
| Ross Manor | 29.9 mi | ★★★★★ | 0 | 0 |
| Eastside Center For Health & Rehabilitation, Llc | 30 mi | ★★★★★ | 16 | 0 |
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