Avoca Specialty Care

610 East York Street, Avoca, IA 51521

Operator

Provider number (CCN): 165294
Certification: Medicare and Medicaid
Ownership: Non profit - Corporation
Certified beds: 46
Phone: (712) 343-6398
CMS data as of: July 1, 2026

What the records show

CMS rates Avoca Specialty Care 1 out of 5 stars overall, with 1 of 5 for health inspections, 3 of 5 for staffing, 3 of 5 for quality measures. Federal inspectors cited 68 health deficiencies across the last three survey cycles, most recently surveyed in 2026, 1 at actual-harm level or higher. CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this facility in the covered period.

Facility Assessment Inspectors recorded 1 citation at the actual-harm level or worse in the last three survey cycles. This facility is operated by CARE INITIATIVES, which scores 13 points above the national average.

Reviews, Ratings and Official Records

This page reviews Avoca Specialty Care 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 — average inspection record.

Ratings and Grade Breakdown

RN Staffing Registered nurse time each resident receives daily. 2024 federal benchmark: 0.55 hrs. Repealed February 2026.	0.99 — At or above the repealed 0.55 hr benchmark
The 0.55 hour RN standard was repealed effective February 2, 2026 and is not currently enforced.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 68 Outstanding 0 Actual harm or worse (G–L) 1
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: ★★★☆☆ (3/5) Staffing: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
NursingHomeGrade Score	62/100

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	0.99 hrs
IA median	0.69 hrs
National average	0.69 hrs

Registered nurse turnover: 57.1% · Total nursing staff turnover: 63.9%

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: March 5, 2026.
Citations shown below span 3 recorded inspection cycles.
Survey dates on file range from August 8, 2023 to March 5, 2026.

Source records: CMS Care Compare profile for provider 165294 ↗ · 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).

1 actual harm issue found among 68 total deficiencies. 68 corrected.

Most recent inspection (March 5, 2026)

E Potential harm — pattern F0605 Status: Corrected

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 23, 2026

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 March 23, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0725 Status: Corrected

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 date of correction, corrected March 23, 2026

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 March 23, 2026

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 March 23, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0656 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 23, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0641 Status: Corrected

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 23, 2026

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 March 23, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0657 Status: Corrected

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 23, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated 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 March 23, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated 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 29, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0578 Status: Corrected

Honor 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.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 23, 2026

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 March 23, 2026

Inspection cycle 2 (July 1, 2024)

D Potential harm — isolated F0926 Status: Corrected

Have policies on smoking.

Environmental Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 25, 2024

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 May 28, 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 May 28, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0610 Status: Corrected

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected May 28, 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 February 4, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0725 Status: Corrected

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 date of correction, corrected June 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0725 Status: Corrected

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 date of correction, corrected February 7, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0725 Status: Corrected

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 date of correction, corrected July 25, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0801 Status: Corrected

Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 25, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern 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 July 25, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0814 Status: Corrected

Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 25, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0761 Status: Corrected

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 date of correction, corrected June 2, 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 June 29, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern 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 June 1, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0744 Status: Corrected

Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected June 2, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern 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 July 25, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0689 Status: Corrected

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Past Non-Compliance, corrected May 27, 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.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected June 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0657 Status: Corrected

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected June 2, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0641 Status: Corrected

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 5, 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 July 25, 2024

Inspection cycle 3 (February 1, 2024)

F Potential harm — widespread F0868 Status: Corrected

Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0921 Status: Corrected

Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

Environmental Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 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 February 22, 2024

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 August 28, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0726 Status: Corrected

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

F Potential harm — widespread F0801 Status: Corrected

Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 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 February 22, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0805 Status: Corrected

Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern 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 February 22, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0804 Status: Corrected

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0761 Status: Corrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0759 Status: Corrected

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0760 Status: Corrected

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 22, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0676 Status: Corrected

Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.