Fitchburg HealthcareCMS ratings, inspections and fines
- Address
- 1199 John Fitch Hwy, Fitchburg, MA 01420
- CCN
- 225216
- Ownership type
- For-profit, limited liability company
- Certified beds
- 160
- Chain
- Next Step Healthcare
- Residents per day
- 133
- CMS flags
- None in the CMS record
The watch list stays in this browser. After each CMS update, it shows the values that changed at the homes on the list.
CMS gives Fitchburg Healthcare an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars. The last standard survey was on 11 Feb 2026. The latest survey cycle has 14 health citations. The median for nursing homes in Massachusetts is 6. CMS lists 1 fine of $33,180 for this home in its penalties file.
Facilities may see a change in their overall rating for a number of reasons. Since the overall rating is based on three individual domains, a change in any one of the domains can affect the overall rating. Any new data for a nursing home could potentially change a star rating domain.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical Users' Guide, July 2026. CMS processed this record on .
Since the last CMS update
The site has no recorded change for this home. In each CMS update, the site compares the ratings, the penalties and the citations of each home.
Changes in the CMS recordFeed of changes in Massachusetts (RSS)
Ratings
CMS gives each home 1 to 5 stars for health inspections, for staffing and for quality measures, and one overall rating.
| Rating (1 to 5 stars) | This home | Worcester County median | Massachusetts median | US average (CMS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 1 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Health inspection rating | 1 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Staffing rating | 2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Quality measure rating | 2 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.6 |
A median is the middle value of the homes in the group: 50 homes in the county, 341 homes in the state. What the CMS star ratings measure
Citations by survey cycle
CMS keeps the last three cycles, and cycle 1 is the latest. A cycle has one standard survey. Citations from complaint and infection control inspections go into cycles of 12 months.
| Survey cycle | Standard survey | Citations | Massachusetts median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 (latest) | 11 Feb 2026 | 14 | 6 |
| Cycle 2 | 1 Oct 2024 | 13 | 8 |
| Cycle 3 | No date | 12 | 10 |
Health citations
The record of one deficiency in an inspection. One inspection can give many citations.
Scope and severity. A letter from A to L on each citation. Scope is the number of residents that the deficiency affected. Severity is the level of harm.
| Severity | Isolated | Pattern | Widespread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J0 | K0 | L0 |
| Actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy | H0 | I0 | |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | F0 | ||
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A0 | C0 |
Survey cycle 1 (latest): 14 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0580 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | 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 | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0604 | Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0677 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0697 | Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services. | G | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0760 | Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. | D | Standard survey | 19 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0761 | 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 | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0791 | Provide or obtain dental services for each resident. | D | Standard survey | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 11 Feb 2026 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Standard survey | 19 Mar 2026 |
| 30 Dec 2025 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | E | Complaint investigation | 26 Jan 2026 |
| 17 Sep 2025 | F0557 | Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions. | D | Complaint investigation | 15 Oct 2025 |
Survey cycle 2: 13 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0578 | 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. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 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 | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0641 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | B | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0645 | PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0658 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0679 | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0690 | 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 | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0692 | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0773 | Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0825 | Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 1 Oct 2024 | F0883 | Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. | D | Standard survey | 8 Nov 2024 |
Survey cycle 3: 12 citations
The CMS provider file has no standard survey date for this cycle.
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0677 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0687 | Provide appropriate foot care. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0690 | 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 | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0694 | Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0699 | Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0727 | 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. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0772 | Have an agreement with an approved laboratory to obtain services, if on-site laboratory services aren't provided. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
| 11 Jul 2023 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 11 Aug 2023 |
The requirement text is the CMS summary of the F-tag. It is not the report of the surveyor. How to read an inspection report
Penalties
A fine, or a payment denial: a period in which Medicare or Medicaid does not pay for new admissions. The CMS penalties file holds three years.
| Date | Type | Fine | Days without payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 Feb 2026 | Fine | $33,180 |
Staffing
Hours per resident per day. The nurse hours for one resident on an average day. CMS calculates the figure from the hours that the home reports for a quarter.
| Staff | This home | Massachusetts median | Massachusetts average (CMS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nurse staff | 3.51 | 3.70 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.41 | 0.60 | 0.65 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 1.22 | 0.95 | |
| Nurse aides | 1.88 | 2.26 | |
| All nurse staff, weekends | 3.07 | 3.30 | 3.48 |
- Nurse staff turnover in a year
- 42.0%
- Nurse staff turnover, Massachusetts median
- 37.7%
- RN turnover in a year
- 41.2%
- Administrators who left in a year
- 0
Homes report the hours to CMS in the Payroll-Based Journal.
Quality measures
A figure that CMS calculates from the assessments of residents. One example is the percentage of long-stay residents with a fall and a major injury.
| Measure (CMS text) | Residents | This home | Massachusetts median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 10.3% | 15.4% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.2% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.4% | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 4.8% | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 1.9% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 12.0% | 14.4% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 7.0% | 3.8% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 32.4% | 19.6% | 13.4% |
For each measure in this table, CMS gives more points in the quality measure rating for a lower percentage. The site calculates the medians from the CMS file. What the CMS star ratings measure
Ownership
An organisation in the CMS ownership file. CMS records its role, for example an ownership interest, operational or managerial control, or a mortgage interest.
- Ownership type
- For-profit, limited liability company
- Legal business name
- 1199 John Fitch Highway Operator LLC
- Chain
- Next Step Healthcare (14 homes in the CMS chain file)
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next Step Healthcare LLC | Operational/managerial control | 1 Sep 2017 | |
| Next Step Healthcare LLC | Adp of the snf | 28 Apr 2025 |
The site shows organisations only. It does not show the names of persons.
Other homes in Worcester County
| Nursing home | City | Overall rating | Citations, latest cycle | Fines | Last standard survey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands, The | Fitchburg | 3 of 5 | 7 | $0 | 25 Nov 2025 | |
| Fitchburg Rehabilitation and Nursing Center | Fitchburg | 1 of 5 | 11 | $43,719 | 7 Mar 2025 | |
| Leominster Rehabilitation and Nursing Center | Leominster | 1 of 5 | 5 | $26,033 | 19 Nov 2025 | |
| Life Care Center of Leominster | Leominster | 4 of 5 | 7 | $0 | 21 Aug 2025 | |
| River Terrace Rehabilitation and Healthcare Ctr | Lancaster | 5 of 5 | 0 | $8,964 | 19 Mar 2026 | |
| Wachusett Manor | Gardner | 3 of 5 | 5 | $0 | 26 Sep 2025 | |
| Gardner Rehabilitation and Nursing Center | Gardner | 2 of 5 | 10 | $0 | 2 Feb 2026 | |
| Sterling Village | Sterling | 4 of 5 | 3 | $0 | 22 Dec 2025 | |
| Alliance Health at Baldwinville | Baldwinville | 4 of 5 | 6 | $0 | 5 Jan 2026 | |
| Oakdale Rehabilitation & Skilled Nursing Center | West Boylston | 4 of 5 | 5 | $0 | 11 Jun 2025 | |
| Holden Rehabilitation & Nursing Center | Holden | 4 of 5 | 4 | $0 | 20 May 2026 | |
| Knollwood Nursing Center | Worcester | 4 of 5 | 5 | $0 | 15 Dec 2025 |
Official channels
- Care Compare record of this nursing homeMedicare.gov. The official CMS record of this home.
- Contact information for State Survey AgenciesCMS. The web address and the telephone number of the State Survey Agency of each state. These agencies investigate complaints about nursing homes.
- Filing a complaintMedicare.gov. The page names the State Survey Agency as the place for a complaint about nursing home care or facility conditions.
- Eldercare LocatorAdministration for Community Living. A public service that connects older adults and their families to local services. Telephone: 1-800-677-1116.
Cite this page
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare. Record of Fitchburg Healthcare (CCN 225216). Data processed 1 Aug 2026. Elder Care Record, https://eldercarerecord.com/facility/fitchburg-healthcare-fitchburg-ma-225216/
Provenance
- Licence
- US government work, public domain
- CMS processed the data on
A program makes this page from the CMS files, and the same files always give the same text. How the site makes the figures. Report an error.
Questions
- When was Fitchburg Healthcare last inspected?
- The latest inspection with a citation in the CMS record was on 11 Feb 2026. It was a standard survey. It gave 12 citations. The standard survey before the last one was on 1 Oct 2024.
- Who operates Fitchburg Healthcare?
- The CMS record gives the ownership type as for-profit, limited liability company. CMS lists the home in the chain Next Step Healthcare. The CMS ownership file names Next Step Healthcare LLC for operational or managerial control. This site does not show the names of persons.
- Is Fitchburg Healthcare a Special Focus Facility?
- No. The CMS provider file lists no Special Focus status for this home. CMS lists 2 homes in Massachusetts as Special Focus Facilities and 10 as candidates.
- Where does the data on this page come from?
- The data comes from the CMS Care Compare files for nursing homes. CMS processed the files on 1 Aug 2026. The Care Compare record on Medicare.gov is the official record of the home.