D
FITCHBURG HEALTHCARE
36/100 score
0.47 hrs RN staffing
15 deficiencies
Highlands, The
335 NICHOLS ROAD, FITCHBURG, MA 01420
B
Facility Assessment
This facility staffs below 0.55 RN hours per resident day — the level the 2024 federal rule, repealed in February 2026, would have required.
Below the repealed 0.55 hr RN benchmark — above average inspection record.
Quality Breakdown
|
RN Staffing
Registered nurse time each resident receives daily. 2024 federal benchmark: 0.55 hrs. Repealed February 2026.
|
0.46 — Below the repealed 0.55 hr benchmark |
The 0.55 hour RN standard was repealed effective February 2, 2026 and is not currently enforced.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
17
Outstanding
0
Actual harm or worse (G–L)
0
|
|
CMS Ratings
Overall and Staffing quality ratings from CMS (1-5 stars).
|
Quality: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Staffing: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
|
|
NursingHomeGrade Score
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67/100 |
Loaded into NursingHomeGrade on April 12, 2026. This is the load date, not the date CMS published the underlying survey data — see release dates.
Inspection Deficiencies
Health inspections identify violations of federal standards. Severity ranges from no actual harm (A–F) to immediate jeopardy (J–L).
17 deficiencies found. 17 corrected. None involved actual harm.
Most recent inspection (November 25, 2025)
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0773
Status: Corrected
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 19, 2025
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 December 19, 2025
E
Potential harm — pattern
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 December 19, 2025
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 19, 2025
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0690
Status: Corrected
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 19, 2025
D
Potential harm — isolated
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 December 19, 2025
D
Potential harm — isolated
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 December 19, 2025
Inspection cycle 2 (July 23, 2024)
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0883
Status: Corrected
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 16, 2024
D
Potential harm — isolated
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 August 16, 2024
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0690
Status: Corrected
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 16, 2024
B
No harm — pattern
F0641
Status: Corrected
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 16, 2024
D
Potential harm — isolated
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 August 16, 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 August 16, 2024
Inspection cycle 3 (March 20, 2023)
D
Potential harm — isolated
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 April 3, 2023
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0698
Status: Corrected
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected April 3, 2023
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0700
Status: Corrected
Try 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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected April 3, 2023
D
Potential harm — isolated
F0580
Status: Corrected
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 date of correction, corrected April 3, 2023
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F
FITCHBURG REHABILITATION AND NURSING CENTER
23/100 score
0.47 hrs RN staffing
11 deficiencies
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