Highlands, The
335 NICHOLS ROAD, FITCHBURG, MA 01420
Near federal staffing minimum — above average inspection record.
Quality Breakdown
|
RN Staffing
Registered nurse time each resident receives daily. Federal minimum: 0.55 hrs.
|
0.46 ✗ Below federal minimum (0.55) |
|
Health Deficiencies
Violations found during federal inspections over the last 3 years.
|
7 |
|
CMS Ratings
Overall and Staffing quality ratings from CMS (1-5 stars).
|
Quality: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Staffing: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
|
|
NursingHomeGrade Score
|
67/100 |
Data last updated: April 12, 2026
Inspection Deficiencies
Health inspections identify violations of federal standards. Severity ranges from no actual harm (A–F) to immediate jeopardy (J–L).
Most recent inspection (November 25, 2025)
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
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 19, 2025
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
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
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
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
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)
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 16, 2024
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
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
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 16, 2024
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
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)
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
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
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
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
Quality Assurance & Integrity
NursingHomeGrade is strictly independent. We do not accept payments from facilities. Our grades are calculated solely from federal CMS datasets.
Learn about our data methodology →Nearby facilities in FITCHBURG
Compare local nursing homes using the same CMS-backed grading method.
FITCHBURG HEALTHCARE
Need help choosing a facility?
Get free guidance from senior living advisors. We may earn a referral fee from comparison services, but never from nursing facilities and never in ways that affect grades.
Compare nearby options → Get free help →Get score alerts for this facility
We'll email you when Highlands, The's staffing score changes.