State surveyors inspected 365 of Iowa's 387 nursing homes in the 12 months from August 2025 through July 2026 and cited 2,402 health deficiencies, according to CMS's nursing home health citation file, processed September 1, 2026. The most cited was F880, which CMS words as “provide and implement an infection prevention and control program”, at 156 of those buildings (43%). 44 of the citations were immediate jeopardy, the most serious level CMS has.
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Iowa, the 12 months from August 2025 through July 2026, from CMS's nursing home health citation file.
August 2025 through July 2026. Source: CMS's nursing home health citation file, processed September 1, 2026.
| Rank | Tag | Citations | Buildings cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program | 181 | 156 (43%) |
| 2 | F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents | 179 | 141 (39%) |
| 3 | F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards | 111 | 104 (28%) |
| 4 | F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals | 108 | 84 (23%) |
| 5 | F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights | 89 | 74 (20%) |
| 6 | F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality | 81 | 69 (19%) |
| 7 | F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors | 80 | 68 (19%) |
| 8 | F725Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift | 78 | 60 (16%) |
| 9 | F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities | 67 | 57 (16%) |
| 10 | F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable | 58 | 49 (13%) |
| 11 | F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment | 56 | 53 (15%) |
| 12 | F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident | 55 | 49 (13%) |
| 13 | F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities | 51 | 45 (12%) |
| 14 | F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals | 50 | 45 (12%) |
| 15 | F628Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies | 48 | 47 (13%) |
| 16 | F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured | 48 | 45 (12%) |
| 17 | F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody | 47 | 44 (12%) |
| 18 | F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely | 47 | 43 (12%) |
| 19 | F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards | 44 | 38 (10%) |
| 20 | F804Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature | 39 | 39 (11%) |
| 21 | F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed | 38 | 36 (10%) |
| 22 | F644Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed | 35 | 34 (9%) |
| 23 | F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist | 35 | 31 (8%) |
| 24 | F690Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections | 35 | 30 (8%) |
| 25 | F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations | 34 | 30 (8%) |
| Rank | Tag | Citations | Buildings cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | F605Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function | 33 | 33 (9%) |
| 27 | F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason | 31 | 30 (8%) |
| 28 | F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs | 29 | 28 (8%) |
| 29 | F552Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments | 27 | 27 (7%) |
| 30 | F803Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident | 26 | 25 (7%) |
| 31 | F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing | 26 | 22 (6%) |
| 32 | F883Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations | 20 | 20 (5%) |
| 33 | F578Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive | 19 | 19 (5%) |
| 34 | F693Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube | 18 | 18 (5%) |
| 35 | F698Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services | 18 | 18 (5%) |
| 36 | F607Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft | 18 | 17 (5%) |
| 37 | F582Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered | 17 | 17 (5%) |
| 38 | F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health | 17 | 17 (5%) |
| 39 | F868Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly | 17 | 16 (4%) |
| 40 | F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater | 16 | 16 (4%) |
| 41 | F805Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs | 16 | 16 (4%) |
| 42 | F602Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money | 16 | 15 (4%) |
| 43 | F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident | 15 | 15 (4%) |
| 44 | F627Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge | 15 | 15 (4%) |
| 45 | F637Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition | 14 | 14 (4%) |
| 46 | F887Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status | 14 | 14 (4%) |
| 47 | F697Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services | 14 | 13 (4%) |
| 48 | F554Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate | 13 | 13 (4%) |
| 49 | F726Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being | 13 | 13 (4%) |
| 50 | F732Post nurse staffing information every day | 13 | 13 (4%) |
| 51 | F727Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis | 13 | 12 (3%) |
| 52 | F640Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment | 10 | 10 (3%) |
| 53 | F851Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data | 9 | 9 (2%) |
| 54 | F561Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice | 9 | 8 (2%) |
| 55 | F943Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation | 8 | 8 (2%) |
| 56 | F604Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment | 7 | 7 (2%) |
| 57 | F645PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities | 7 | 7 (2%) |
| 58 | F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted | 7 | 7 (2%) |
| 59 | F676Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason | 7 | 6 (2%) |
| 60 | F757Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs | 6 | 6 (2%) |
| 61 | F567Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs | 5 | 5 (1%) |
| 62 | F585Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances | 5 | 5 (1%) |
| 63 | F636Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months | 5 | 5 (1%) |
| 64 | F679Provide activities to meet all resident's needs | 5 | 5 (1%) |
| 65 | F730Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training | 5 | 5 (1%) |
| 66 | F925Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests | 5 | 5 (1%) |
| 67 | F741Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents | 5 | 4 (1%) |
| 68 | F583Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential | 4 | 4 (1%) |
| 69 | F801Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician | 4 | 4 (1%) |
| 70 | F802Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service | 4 | 4 (1%) |
| 71 | F806Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options | 4 | 4 (1%) |
| 72 | F809Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times | 4 | 4 (1%) |
| 73 | F606Not hire anyone with a finding of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or theft | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 74 | F678Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 75 | F710Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 76 | F744Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 77 | F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 78 | F814Dispose of garbage and refuse properly | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 79 | F835Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 80 | F838Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 81 | F849Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 82 | F908Keep all essential equipment working safely | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 83 | F919Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 84 | F926Have policies on smoking | 3 | 3 (1%) |
| 85 | F576Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods | 3 | 2 (1%) |
| 86 | F882Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home | 3 | 2 (1%) |
| 87 | F553Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 88 | F557Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 89 | F568Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 90 | F699Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 91 | F742Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 92 | F756Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 93 | F774Help the resident with transportation to and from laboratory services outside of the facility | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 94 | F807Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides drinks consistent with resident needs and preferences and sufficient to maintain resident hydration | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 95 | F825Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 96 | F847Inform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 97 | F867Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 98 | F921Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public | 2 | 2 (1%) |
| 99 | F551Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 100 | F559Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 101 | F572Give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 102 | F575Post a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all pertinent State agencies and advocacy groups and a statement that the resident may file a complaint with the State Survey Agency | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 103 | F577Allow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 104 | F635Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 105 | F638Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 106 | F675Honor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 107 | F685Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 108 | F691Provide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 109 | F700Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 110 | F728Ensure that nurse aides who have worked more than 4 months, are trained and competent; and nurse aides who have worked less than 4 months are enrolled in appropriate training | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 111 | F729Verify that a nurse aide has been trained; and if they haven't worked as a nurse aide for 2 years, receive retraining | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 112 | F740Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 113 | F745Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 114 | F800Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 115 | F808Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 116 | F810Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 117 | F811Ensure that residents are assessed for appropriateness for a feeding assistant program, receive services as per their plan of care, and feeding assistants are trained and supervised | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 118 | F881Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 119 | F909Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 120 | F923Have enough outside ventilation via a window or mechanical ventilation, or both | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 121 | F940Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 122 | F944Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 123 | F945Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 124 | F946Provide training in compliance and ethics | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 125 | F947Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention | 1 | 1 (0%) |
| 126 | F569Notify each resident of certain balances and convey resident funds upon discharge, eviction, or death | 1 | 0 (0%) |
| 127 | F694Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed | 1 | 0 (0%) |
A tag is ranked by how many times it was cited. “Buildings cited” counts the inspected buildings that drew the tag at least once, and its percentage is of every building inspected; we print a percentage only where 20 or more buildings were inspected. “Rank a year earlier” is the same ranking over August 2024 through July 2025. CMS publishes citations months after the survey, so the newest months are still filling in: compare ranks across the two years, not counts. Immediate jeopardy is CMS severity J, K or L; actual harm is G, H or I. No building is named on this page: open a building for its own inspections.
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