Fitchburg Healthcare
1199 John Fitch Hwy · Fitchburg, MA · 01420 · 9783450146
160 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Next Step Healthcare
Why this verdict
- Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
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
No red flags in the current CMS record. Genuinely good news — pair it with an in-person tour before deciding.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 2 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.41 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.41 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.01 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 43% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (39 in the current record)
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Actual harm · G February 11, 2026
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
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 March 4, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected March 19, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
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.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected March 4, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 11, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected March 19, 2026 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · E December 30, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected January 26, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D September 17, 2025 · found via complaint
Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Corrected October 15, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 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.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D October 1, 2024
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Corrected November 8, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
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 225216 · certified since December 1, 1974. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.