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34/100Northwood Rehabilitation & Health Care Center Inspection Report, Violations & Safety Grade (LOWELL, Massachusetts)
1010 VARNUM AVENUE, LOWELL, Massachusetts 01854
Phone: 9784588773
CMS Overall:1/5
Overview & Bed Count
Certified Beds
123
Avg Residents/Day
113.9
Ownership
For profit - Partnership
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
County
Middlesex
Sprinkler Systems
Yes
Special Focus
None
Abuse Icon
No
CMS Star Ratings
Overall1/5
Health1/5
Staffing2/5
Quality2/5
Nurse Staffing Check
| Metric | This Facility | Massachusetts Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours per Resident per Day | 0.44 | 0.66 | -0.22 |
| Total Nurse Hours per Resident per Day | 2.84 | 3.94 | -1.10 |
| CMS Staffing Rating | 2/5 | 3.1/5 | - |
| Nursing Staff Turnover | 25.6% | 37.6% | - |
Health Citation History
55 health citations on record
| Date | Category | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-15 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies | Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies | Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies | Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Pharmacy Service Deficiencies | 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. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Administration Deficiencies | Help the resident make transportation arrangements to and from radiology services. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | B – Minimal Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. | G – Actual Harm |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services. | G – Actual Harm |
| 2024-08-29 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | 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. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Pharmacy Service Deficiencies | Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Pharmacy Service Deficiencies | 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. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Infection Control Deficiencies | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-06-05 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | G – Actual Harm |
| 2023-08-10 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Pharmacy Service Deficiencies | 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. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide or obtain dental services for each resident. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies | Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies | Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
Showing 50 of 55 citations.
Fire Safety Citation History
24 fire safety citations on record
| Date | Category | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-08-15 | Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Egress Deficiencies | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Smoke Deficiencies | Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Smoke Deficiencies | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Smoke Deficiencies | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Smoke Deficiencies | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Smoke Deficiencies | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Services Deficiencies | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Miscellaneous Deficiencies | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Miscellaneous Deficiencies | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-08-15 | Egress Deficiencies | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Smoke Deficiencies | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Miscellaneous Deficiencies | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-08-29 | Smoke Deficiencies | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Smoke Deficiencies | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Smoke Deficiencies | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2023-08-10 | Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
Total Penalties & Fines
$85,178
Total Fine Amount (CMS)
1
Number of Fines
1
Total Penalties
| Date | Type | Fine Amount | Payment Denial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-08-29 | Fine | $85,178 | - |
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Need Help Finding Safe Care?
Our family advisors can help you find vetted, top-rated facilities in the LOWELL area at no cost.
Find Safe, Vetted Facilities Near LOWELL
(Free Family Advisor Call)Download Inspection & Tour Checklist PDF
3-Year Complete Report ($19)
(Free Family Advisor Call)Download Inspection & Tour Checklist PDF
3-Year Complete Report ($19)
Advisor service is free for families. We may receive referral compensation.