D-
42/100BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER Inspection Report, Violations & Safety Grade (FOREST LAKE, Minnesota)
604 1ST STREET NE, FOREST LAKE, Minnesota 55025
Phone: 6514645600
CMS Overall:1/5
Overview & Bed Count
Certified Beds
100
Avg Residents/Day
79.2
Ownership
Non profit - Corporation
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
County
Washington
Sprinkler Systems
Yes
Special Focus
None
Abuse Citation
No
CMS Star Ratings
Overall1/5
Health1/5
Staffing4/5
Quality4/5
Nurse Staffing Check
| Metric | This Facility | Minnesota Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours per Resident per Day | 0.94 | 1.08 | -0.14 |
| Total Nurse Hours per Resident per Day | 3.56 | 4.27 | -0.71 |
| CMS Staffing Rating | 4/5 | 4.2/5 | - |
| Nursing Staff Turnover | 41.6% | 42.1% | - |
Health Citation History
38 health citations on record
| Date | Category | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-12 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | J – Immediate Jeopardy |
| 2026-06-12 | Infection Control Deficiencies | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | 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 |
| 2026-06-12 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. | B – Minimal Harm Potential |
| 2026-05-06 | 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 |
| 2025-12-19 | Infection Control Deficiencies | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-11-13 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | J – Immediate Jeopardy |
| 2025-11-13 | 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 |
| 2025-04-10 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | 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 |
| 2025-04-10 | Pharmacy Service Deficiencies | Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies | 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. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Infection Control Deficiencies | Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. | G – Actual Harm |
| 2024-02-09 | 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. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | 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. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Administration Deficiencies | Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Infection Control Deficiencies | Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Resident Rights Deficiencies | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | 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 |
| 2024-02-09 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | 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 |
| 2024-02-09 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Infection Control Deficiencies | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | Post nurse staffing information every day. | C – Minimal Harm Potential |
| 2024-01-10 | 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 |
| 2024-01-10 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-01-10 | 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. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-01-10 | Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-01-10 | 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 |
| 2024-01-10 | Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies | 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. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-01-04 | 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 |
| 2023-12-06 | 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 |
Fire Safety Citation History
16 fire safety citations on record
| Date | Category | Description | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-12 | 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 |
| 2026-06-12 | Egress Deficiencies | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Services Deficiencies | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | F – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Smoke Deficiencies | Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2026-06-12 | Smoke Deficiencies | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | 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. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Smoke Deficiencies | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Smoke Deficiencies | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Egress Deficiencies | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Smoke Deficiencies | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2025-04-10 | Smoke Deficiencies | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Egress Deficiencies | Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Smoke Deficiencies | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | E – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Miscellaneous Deficiencies | Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
| 2024-02-09 | Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | Ensure proper storage of liquid oxygen. | D – Moderate Harm Potential |
Total Penalties & Fines
$139,646
Total Fine Amount (CMS)
4
Number of Fines
5
Total Penalties
| Date | Type | Fine Amount | Payment Denial |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-05-06 | Fine | $90,790 | - |
| 2026-05-06 | Payment Denial | - | 14 days starting 2026-07-16 |
| 2025-11-13 | Fine | $10,519 | - |
| 2024-02-09 | Fine | $29,234 | - |
| 2024-01-04 | Fine | $9,103 | - |
Verified Helpline
Care & Coverage Review
Researching facilities in FOREST LAKE, Minnesota? Speak with a licensed specialist to review your Medicare or health insurance benefits at no cost.
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Medicare & Benefits Review
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Health Insurance Helpline
(Ages 26–64)
Medicare & Benefits Review
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Health Insurance Helpline
(Ages 26–64)
Free, confidential consultation. We may receive referral compensation.
Verified Helpline
Care & Coverage Review
Researching facilities in FOREST LAKE, Minnesota? Speak with a licensed specialist to review your Medicare or health insurance benefits at no cost.
📞 Call (866) 227-7595
Medicare & Benefits Review
(Ages 64.5+)📞 Call (866) 228-4856
Health Insurance Helpline
(Ages 26–64)
Medicare & Benefits Review
(Ages 64.5+)📞 Call (866) 228-4856
Health Insurance Helpline
(Ages 26–64)
Free, confidential consultation. We may receive referral compensation.