Salem Lutheran Home

2027 College Avenue, Elk Horn, IA 51531

Provider number (CCN): 165155
Certification: Medicare and Medicaid
Ownership: For profit - Corporation
Certified beds: 64
Phone: (712) 764-4201
CMS data as of: July 1, 2026

What the records show

CMS rates Salem Lutheran Home 1 out of 5 stars overall, with 1 of 5 for health inspections, 4 of 5 for staffing, 2 of 5 for quality measures. Federal inspectors cited 46 health deficiencies across the last three survey cycles, most recently surveyed in 2025, 3 at actual-harm level or higher, 8 still recorded as uncorrected. CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this facility in the covered period.

Facility Assessment 8 federal violations at this facility remain unresolved. Inspectors recorded 3 citations at the actual-harm level or worse in the last three survey cycles.

Reviews, Ratings and Official Records

This page reviews Salem Lutheran Home using federal government records — CMS star ratings, health-inspection findings, staffing data and enforcement actions. NursingHomeGrade does not collect, host or publish resident or family testimonials, and no star rating below is a consumer review score.

At or above the 2024 benchmark — review inspection history before visiting.

Ratings and Grade Breakdown

RN Staffing Registered nurse time each resident receives daily. 2024 federal benchmark: 0.55 hrs. Repealed February 2026.	0.64 — At or above the repealed 0.55 hr benchmark
The 0.55 hour RN standard was repealed effective February 2, 2026 and is not currently enforced. We still grade against it. Why
Health Deficiencies (last 3 survey cycles) Violations found during federal inspections, with how many remain open and how many involved actual harm.	Total 46 Outstanding 8 Actual harm or worse (G–L) 3
CMS Ratings Federal five-star ratings published by CMS. These are regulatory ratings, not consumer review scores.	Overall: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) Health inspection: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5) Quality: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) Staffing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
NursingHomeGrade Score	21/100

Loaded into NursingHomeGrade on August 7, 2026. This is the load date, not the date CMS published the underlying survey data — see release dates.

CMS scores each facility from one to five stars — one is in the bottom fifth of facilities in its state on health inspections, five is in the top tenth. Our own A–F grade is a separate 0–100 score built from staffing hours, inspection citations, and the severity and correction status of those citations, weighted as described in our grading methodology.

Staffing Compared With State and National Levels

Registered nurse hours per resident per day compared with state and national levels
This facility	0.64 hrs
IA median	0.69 hrs
National average	0.69 hrs

Registered nurse turnover: 80.0% · Total nursing staff turnover: 63.0%

Staffing figures are the values CMS published in its file processed July 1, 2026, drawn from payroll-based journal reporting.

Inspection Records Covered

Most recent standard health survey: June 26, 2025.
Citations shown below span 3 recorded inspection cycles.
Survey dates on file range from June 6, 2023 to May 22, 2026.

Source records: CMS Care Compare profile for provider 165155 ↗ · the federal files we load and when.

Inspection Deficiencies

Health inspections identify violations of federal standards. Severity ranges from no actual harm (A–F) to immediate jeopardy (J–L).

3 actual harm issues found among 46 total deficiencies. 38 corrected. — 8 still outstanding

Most recent inspection (May 22, 2026)

D Potential harm — isolated F0609 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0610 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0725 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

G Actual harm — isolated F0760 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0761 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Ensure 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.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0842 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0550 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0580 Status: Outstanding — Plan Filed

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has plan of correction, corrected June 5, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0607 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0609 Status: Corrected

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0677 Status: Corrected

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected October 10, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0684 Status: Corrected

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0695 Status: Corrected

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0644 Status: Corrected

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0550 Status: Corrected

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 22, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0584 Status: Corrected

Honor 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.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 11, 2025

Inspection cycle 2 (October 22, 2024)

D Potential harm — isolated F0602 Status: Corrected

Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 1, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

F Potential harm — widespread F0812 Status: Corrected

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0803 Status: Corrected

Ensure 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.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0758 Status: Corrected

Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0658 Status: Corrected

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 1, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0842 Status: Corrected

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.