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Dubuque Specialty Care
2935 Kaufmann Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
Ratings are based on the most recent data available; a facility's ratings may have changed since the last update. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys and complaint investigations. CMS processed this record on 1 Aug 2026. View the Care Compare record.
Certified for 84 beds, Dubuque Specialty Care serves Dubuque in Dubuque County, Iowa and has taken Medicare and Medicaid residents since 1994.
CMS gives it 2 of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa median of 3; the health inspection rating is 2, staffing 3 and quality measures 3.
Inspectors recorded 23 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles (8, 14, 1 by cycle, most recent first), 2 of them at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. That is 27.4 per 100 beds, about the same as the state median of 27.5.
CMS lists 2 penalties in the period covered: fines totalling $53K and 1 payment denial.
Reported nurse staffing is 2.9 hours per resident per day (0.6 RN), below the Iowa median of 3.7; nursing staff turnover is 57.1%.
Compared with county, state and nation
| Measure | This facility | Dubuque Co. median | Iowa median | US average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3.0 |
| Health citations, 3 cycles | 23 | 10 | 16 | 28.7 |
| Citations per 100 beds | 27.4 | 15.0 | 27.5 | 26.8 |
| Total nurse hours per resident day | 2.9 | 4.3 | 3.7 | 3.9 |
| RN hours per resident day | 0.6 | 0.9 | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Nursing staff turnover | 57.1% | 38.4% | 41.9% | 45.8% |
| Fines listed | $53,372 | $0 | $0 | — |
County and state figures are medians across facilities (12 in the county, 387 in the state); the US column is the CMS national average where CMS publishes one.
Citations by survey cycle
Dark bar: this facility. Grey bar: Iowa average per facility for the same cycle, as published by CMS. Standard health survey dates: 30 Jul 2025, 15 Jul 2024.
Severity mix: G ×2 D ×15 E ×3 F ×1 B ×2
Health deficiencies
Every health citation in the current CMS record (three survey cycles), most recent first. Tag text is the CMS requirement summary, not the inspection narrative.
Scope and severity letters (A–L)
| Survey date | Tag | What the tag requires | Severity | Type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0865 | Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. | F | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0644 | Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. | D | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0657 | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. | D | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0725 | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. | D | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0740 | Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services. | D | Complaint investigation | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0760 | Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. | D | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 30 Jul 2025 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Standard survey | 28 Aug 2025 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0686 | Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. | G | Standard survey | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0658 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | E | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0725 | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. | E | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | E | Standard survey | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0580 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | D | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0584 | 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 | Standard survey | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0657 | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. | D | Standard survey | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Standard survey | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0919 | Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area. | D | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0623 | Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. | B | Standard survey | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 15 Jul 2024 | F0625 | 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. | B | Complaint investigation | 6 Aug 2024 |
| 24 Oct 2023 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | G | Complaint investigation | 4 Dec 2023 |
Penalties
| Date | Type | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Jul 2024 | Payment denial | — | 16 days |
| 15 Jul 2024 | Fine | $53,372 |
Staffing
Hours per resident per day as reported through the Payroll-Based Journal; grey bars are the Iowa average. Turnover: nursing staff 57.1%, RNs 71.4%; 1 administrator left in the reporting year.
Quality measures
| Measure | Residents | This facility | Iowa median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 7.9% | 16.8% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 3.3% | 0.8% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.5% | 1.8% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 5.2% | 3.4% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.0% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 20.4% | 15.9% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 3.0% | 3.6% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 27.7% | 18.2% | 13.4% |
Four-quarter averages for the measures CMS uses in the quality-measure star rating (2025Q2-2026Q1). Lower is better for every measure listed. Medians are computed across facilities on this site.
Ownership
Ownership type: non-profit, corporation. Legal business name: Care Initiatives. Chain: Care Initiatives (43 facilities).
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care Initiatives | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | 100% | 09/01/2009 |
| Computershare Corporate Trust Company, Na | 5% or greater mortgage interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/01/2025 |
| Computershare Corporate Trust Company, Na | Adp of the snf | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/11/2025 |
Only organisations are shown. CMS also records individual owners, officers and managing employees; this site does not publish people's names.
Other nursing homes in Dubuque County
| Facility | City | Beds | Overall | Health | Staffing | Citations | Per 100 beds | Fines | Last survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bethany Home | Dubuque | 66 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1.5 | — | 18 Jun 2026 |
| Ennoble Nursing and Rehab | Dubuque | 85 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2.4 | — | 18 Jul 2024 |
| Mercyone Dyersville Senior Care | Dyersville | 40 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 15.0 | — | 7 Nov 2024 |
| Mount Carmel Bluffs | Dubuque | 60 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 11.7 | — | 26 Feb 2026 |
| Stonehill Care Center | Dubuque | 185 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2.2 | — | 7 Aug 2025 |
| Sunnycrest Manor | Dubuque | 77 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 18.2 | — | 5 Mar 2026 |
| Hawkeye Care Center Dubuque | Asbury | 80 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 12.5 | — | 18 Sep 2025 |
| Accura Healthcare of Cascade LLCabuse icon | Cascade | 46 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 10.9 | — | 28 May 2026 |
All 12 facilities in Dubuque County
Questions and answers
How many deficiencies has Dubuque Specialty Care been cited for?
23 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles, 2 at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. The Iowa median is 16 per facility.
Has Dubuque Specialty Care been fined?
Yes. CMS lists fines totalling $53K in the period covered, plus 1 payment denial.
How does staffing at Dubuque Specialty Care compare?
Reported total nurse staffing is 2.9 hours per resident per day against a Iowa median of 3.7 and a national average of 3.9.
Who operates Dubuque Specialty Care?
It is part of the Care Initiatives chain. Ownership type is non-profit, corporation. Organisations in the CMS ownership record include Care Initiatives. Individual owners and managers are not listed on this site.
When was Dubuque Specialty Care last inspected?
The most recent survey or investigation in the CMS record is dated 30 Jul 2025; the most recent standard health survey was 30 Jul 2025.
Where does this data come from?
All figures are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Care Compare datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership and quality measures), processed 1 Aug 2026. Ratings and citations may change; the Care Compare record is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare nursing home datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership, MDS quality measures, state and national averages), public domain, processed by CMS on 1 Aug 2026. Facility record: Care Compare. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections.