Dubuque Specialty Care
2935 Kaufmann Avenue · Dubuque, IA · 52001 · 5635560673
84 certified beds Non profit - Corporation Chain: Care Initiatives
Why this verdict
- Federal penalties on record: $53,372 in fines in the last 24 months.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
$53,372 in federal fines in the last 24 months
1 fine — CMS fines are reserved for verified, serious non-compliance.
Total nurse staffing below 3.0 hours per resident-day
2.89 reported hours vs the 3.48 minimum CMS's own staffing study recommends.
61% of nursing staff left within a year
High turnover disrupts continuity of care; the national median is 45%.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 2 of 5 Inspections: 2 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 3 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 2.89 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.48 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 2.54 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 61% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 1 · $53,372 |
Inspection citations (23 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · F July 30, 2025
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D July 30, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected August 28, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · G July 15, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024
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.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E July 15, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Environmental
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No harm found · B July 15, 2024
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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No harm found · B July 15, 2024 · found via complaint
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Corrected August 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Actual harm · G October 24, 2023 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected December 4, 2023 · Quality of Life and Care
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| July 15, 2024 | Fine | $53,372 |
| July 15, 2024 | Payment Denial | 16 days |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 165228 · certified since May 1, 1994. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.