Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
1010 Varnum Avenue · Lowell, MA · 01854 · 9784588773
123 certified beds For profit - Partnership Chain: Athena Healthcare Systems
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Federal penalties on record: $85,178 in fines in the last 24 months.
- 3 citations involved actual harm to residents.
- 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
Cited under the freedom-from-abuse rule
Cited 1 time under F600 (freedom from abuse/neglect) below the actual-harm level — worth asking about on a tour.
$85,178 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.
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: 3 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 2.89 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.40 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 2.81 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 26% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 2 · $165,780 |
Inspection citations (55 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · E August 15, 2025
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E August 15, 2025
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
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 September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected September 12, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
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 September 11, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Help the resident make transportation arrangements to and from radiology services.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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No harm found · B August 15, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Actual harm · G August 29, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected September 27, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · G August 29, 2024
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected September 27, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 29, 2024
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected September 27, 2024 · Resident Rights
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| August 29, 2024 | Fine | $85,178 |
| August 10, 2023 | Fine | $80,602 |
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 225298 · certified since February 17, 1987. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.