NursingHomeGrade

BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER

604 1ST STREET NE, FOREST LAKE, MN 55025

Operator

LIFESPARK MANAGEMENT SERVICES · 3 facilities

Provider number (CCN)
245200
Certification
Medicare and Medicaid
Ownership
Non profit - Corporation
Certified beds
100
Phone
(651) 464-5600
CMS data as of
July 1, 2026
B

What the records show

CMS rates BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 2 of 5 for health inspections, 4 of 5 for staffing, 5 of 5 for quality measures. Federal inspectors cited 33 health deficiencies across the last three survey cycles, most recently surveyed in 2025, 3 at actual-harm level or higher. CMS enforcement records list 3 fines totalling $48,698.

Facility Assessment Inspectors recorded 3 citations at the actual-harm level or worse in the last three survey cycles. This facility is operated by LIFESPARK MANAGEMENT SERVICES, which scores 18 points below the national average.

Reviews, Ratings and Official Records

This page reviews BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER 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 — above 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 Repealed February 2026.
 0.78 — At or above the repealed 0.55 hr benchmark

The 0.55 hour RN standard was repealed effective February 2, 2026 and is not currently enforced.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 33
Outstanding 0
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: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
Health inspection: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
Quality: ★★★★★ (5/5)
Staffing: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
NursingHomeGrade Score
 69/100

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

This facility0.78 hrs
MN median0.96 hrs
National average0.69 hrs

Registered nurse turnover: 50.0% · Total nursing staff turnover: 37.7%

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

Inspection Records Covered

Source records: CMS Care Compare profile for provider 245200 ↗ · 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 immediate jeopardy, 2 actual harm issues found among 33 total deficiencies. 33 corrected.

Most recent inspection (December 19, 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 January 23, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0881 Status: Corrected

Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected May 27, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated 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 May 27, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0757 Status: Corrected

Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected May 27, 2025

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 — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected June 11, 2026

J Immediate jeopardy — 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 November 9, 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 May 27, 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 January 9, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0558 Status: Corrected

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected May 27, 2025

Inspection cycle 2 (February 9, 2024)

F Potential harm — widespread F0867 Status: Corrected

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0883 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 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 March 11, 2024

F Potential harm — widespread 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 11, 2024

F Potential harm — widespread F0727 Status: Corrected

Have 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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

F Potential harm — widespread F0730 Status: Corrected

Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

C No harm — widespread F0732 Status: Corrected

Post nurse staffing information every day.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

G Actual harm — isolated F0686 Status: Corrected

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

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 11, 2024

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 March 11, 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 — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0692 Status: Corrected

Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 11, 2024

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 11, 2024

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 March 11, 2024

Inspection cycle 3 (December 6, 2023)

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 December 27, 2023

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 September 27, 2023

D Potential harm — isolated 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 3, 2024

G Actual 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 — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 3, 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 February 3, 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 — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 3, 2024

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 August 25, 2022

D Potential harm — isolated F0655 Status: Corrected

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected February 3, 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 February 3, 2024

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 February 3, 2024

Fines and Enforcement Actions

Penalties CMS has imposed on this facility. A fine is a civil money penalty; a payment denial suspends Medicare or Medicaid payment for new admissions.

Date Action Amount or length
November 13, 2025 Fine $10,361
February 9, 2024 Fine $29,234
January 4, 2024 Fine $9,103

3 fines totalling $48,698.

Source: CMS Penalties file (dataset g6vv-u9sr).

Ownership and Contact Information

Facility name
BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER
Legal business name
SENIOR CARE FOREST LAKE, LLC
Address
604 1ST STREET NE, FOREST LAKE, MN 55025
Phone
(651) 464-5600
Provider number (CCN)
245200
Ownership type
Non profit - Corporation
Operator
LIFESPARK MANAGEMENT SERVICES · 3 facilities
Medicare/Medicaid certified since
December 1, 1974
Official record
CMS Care Compare profile ↗
Details verified against CMS data dated
July 1, 2026

The federal nursing-home files publish no email address for certified facilities, so none is listed here. We do not guess or construct contact addresses. Contact details above are reproduced from CMS Provider Information; call the facility to confirm before relying on them.

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Sources and Methodology

The NursingHomeGrade score is our own calculation from these federal files — it is not a CMS rating and not a consumer review score. See exactly how the score is calculated · full methodology · source files and load dates.

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