Florida › Polk County › Lakeland
Highlands Lake Center
4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813
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 179 beds, Highlands Lake Center serves Lakeland in Polk County, Florida and has taken Medicare and Medicaid residents since 1988.
CMS gives it 2 of 5 stars overall, below the Florida median of 3; the health inspection rating is 2, staffing 3 and quality measures 4.
Inspectors recorded 32 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles (17, 13, 2 by cycle, most recent first), none at the actual-harm level. That is 17.9 per 100 beds, about the same as the state median of 15.8.
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against the facility in the period covered.
Reported nurse staffing is 3.3 hours per resident per day (0.7 RN), close to the Florida median of 3.6; nursing staff turnover is 53.5%.
CMS flags that the facility has not had a standard health inspection in more than two years.
Compared with county, state and nation
| Measure | This facility | Polk Co. median | Florida median | US average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3.0 |
| Health citations, 3 cycles | 32 | 28 | 18 | 28.7 |
| Citations per 100 beds | 17.9 | 20.8 | 15.8 | 26.8 |
| Total nurse hours per resident day | 3.3 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 3.9 |
| RN hours per resident day | 0.7 | 0.5 | 0.6 | 0.7 |
| Nursing staff turnover | 53.5% | 46.3% | 41.8% | 45.8% |
| Fines listed | $0 | $12,051 | $0 | — |
County and state figures are medians across facilities (25 in the county, 694 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: Florida average per facility for the same cycle, as published by CMS. Standard health survey dates: 7 Mar 2024, 18 Nov 2021.
Severity mix: D ×25 E ×7
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Nov 2025 | F0755 | Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist. | E | Complaint investigation | 4 Dec 2025 |
| 5 Nov 2025 | F0697 | Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services. | D | Complaint investigation | 4 Dec 2025 |
| 17 Apr 2025 | F0585 | Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. | E | Complaint investigation | 12 May 2025 |
| 17 Apr 2025 | F0773 | Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results. | D | Complaint investigation | 12 May 2025 |
| 6 Aug 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 | Complaint investigation | 6 Sep 2024 |
| 6 Aug 2024 | F0585 | Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances. | D | Complaint investigation | 6 Sep 2024 |
| 6 Aug 2024 | 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 | Complaint investigation | 6 Sep 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0582 | Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. | E | Complaint investigation | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0641 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | E | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0644 | Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed. | E | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0675 | Honor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Complaint investigation | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 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 | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0694 | Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0755 | Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0759 | Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | 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 | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Complaint investigation | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0921 | Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 7 Mar 2024 | F0925 | Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests. | D | Standard survey | 7 Apr 2024 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0806 | Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options. | E | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0623 | Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | 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. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0692 | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0755 | Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 18 Nov 2021 | F0759 | Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. | D | Standard survey | 16 Dec 2021 |
| 28 Feb 2020 | 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. | E | Standard survey | 28 Mar 2020 |
| 28 Feb 2020 | F0759 | Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. | D | Standard survey | 28 Mar 2020 |
Penalties
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this facility in the period covered.
Staffing
Hours per resident per day as reported through the Payroll-Based Journal; grey bars are the Florida average. Turnover: nursing staff 53.5%, RNs 46.9%; 1 administrator left in the reporting year.
Quality measures
| Measure | Residents | This facility | Florida median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 6.7% | 7.4% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.2% | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 3.9% | 2.2% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.2% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 8.1% | 7.7% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 3.1% | 4.2% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 11.4% | 7.0% | 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: for-profit, corporation. Legal business name: Highlands Lake Center Llc. Chain: Aston Health (38 facilities).
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gabriel Living Center, LLC | Direct ownership interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/15/2023 |
| Highlands Lake Holdco LLC | Direct ownership interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/15/2023 |
| Lce Partners LLC | Indirect ownership interest | NOT APPLICABLE | 01/01/2021 |
| Aston Healthcare LLC | Adp of the snf | NOT APPLICABLE | 07/09/2025 |
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 Polk County
| Facility | City | Beds | Overall | Health | Staffing | Citations | Per 100 beds | Fines | Last survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida Presbyterian Homes Inc | Lakeland | 68 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 16 | 23.5 | — | 26 Feb 2024 |
| Spring Lake Rehabilitation Center | Winter Haven | 132 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 11.4 | — | 13 Feb 2025 |
| Davenport Nursing and Rehab Center | Davenport | 60 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 17 | 28.3 | $8K | 29 Jan 2026 |
| Life Care Center of Winter Haven | Winter Haven | 177 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 22 | 12.4 | — | 20 Feb 2025 |
| Manor At Carpenters, The | Lakeland | 72 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 15 | 20.8 | $24K | 17 Mar 2025 |
| Palm Garden of Winter Haven | Winter Haven | 120 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 24 | 20.0 | $24K | 20 Jun 2024 |
| Astoria Health and Rehabilitation Center | Winter Haven | 132 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 26 | 19.7 | — | 26 Mar 2024 |
| The Club At Lake Gibson | Lakeland | 120 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 17.5 | — | 8 May 2026 |
All 25 facilities in Polk County
Questions and answers
How many deficiencies has Highlands Lake Center been cited for?
32 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles, 0 at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. The Florida median is 18 per facility.
Has Highlands Lake Center been fined?
CMS lists no fines against the facility in the period covered.
How does staffing at Highlands Lake Center compare?
Reported total nurse staffing is 3.3 hours per resident per day against a Florida median of 3.6 and a national average of 3.9.
Who operates Highlands Lake Center?
It is part of the Aston Health chain. Ownership type is for-profit, corporation. Organisations in the CMS ownership record include Gabriel Living Center, LLC, Highlands Lake Holdco LLC and Lce Partners LLC. Individual owners and managers are not listed on this site.
When was Highlands Lake Center last inspected?
The most recent survey or investigation in the CMS record is dated 5 Nov 2025; the most recent standard health survey was 7 Mar 2024.
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.