Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare CenterCMS ratings, inspections and fines
- Address
- 1010 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854
- CCN
- 225298
- Ownership type
- For-profit, partnership
- Certified beds
- 123
- Residents per day
- 115
- CMS flags
- None in the CMS record
Open the watch listCare Compare record (Medicare.gov)
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 Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars. The last standard survey was on 15 Aug 2025. The latest survey cycle has 22 health citations. The median for nursing homes in Massachusetts is 6. CMS lists 1 fine of $85,178 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 | Middlesex 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 | 4.0 | 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: 72 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) | 15 Aug 2025 | 22 | 6 |
| Cycle 2 | 29 Aug 2024 | 18 | 8 |
| Cycle 3 | No date | 15 | 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): 22 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0558 | Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. | E | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | 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 | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0600 | Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0604 | Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0607 | Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0641 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | B | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | 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 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0658 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0677 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | E | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0679 | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | 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 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0692 | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D | Standard survey | 12 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0694 | Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0712 | Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0730 | Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0740 | Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | 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 | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0778 | Help the resident make transportation arrangements to and from radiology services. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
| 15 Aug 2025 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 11 Sep 2025 |
Survey cycle 2: 18 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0552 | Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 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 | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0583 | Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 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 | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | 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 Oct 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0677 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0686 | Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. | G | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0692 | Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0698 | Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0699 | Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 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 | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0740 | Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services. | G | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0759 | Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. | D | Standard survey | 4 Oct 2024 |
| 29 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 | Standard survey | 4 Oct 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | E | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
| 29 Aug 2024 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Standard survey | 27 Sep 2024 |
Survey cycle 3: 15 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 Jun 2024 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Complaint investigation | 28 Jun 2024 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0609 | Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0610 | Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | E | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0677 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0679 | Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | G | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0699 | Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0712 | Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0758 | Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited. | E | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0759 | Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0791 | Provide or obtain dental services for each resident. | E | Standard survey | 19 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0808 | Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 2023 |
| 10 Aug 2023 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 8 Sep 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 2024 | Fine | $85,178 |
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 | 2.83 | 3.70 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.38 | 0.60 | 0.65 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 0.60 | 0.95 | |
| Nurse aides | 1.86 | 2.26 | |
| All nurse staff, weekends | 2.75 | 3.30 | 3.48 |
- Nurse staff turnover in a year
- 23.8%
- Nurse staff turnover, Massachusetts median
- 37.7%
- RN turnover in a year
- 33.3%
- Administrators who left in a year
- No data
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 | 12.4% | 15.4% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 1.7% | 0.6% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 1.4% | 1.5% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 2.5% | 3.3% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 3.2% | 1.0% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 11.9% | 14.4% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 0.6% | 3.8% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 40.9% | 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, partnership
- Legal business name
- Northwood Ma SNF LLC
- Chain
- Athena Healthcare Systems (22 homes in the CMS chain file)
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athena Health Care Systems Ma R LLC | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | 100% | 1 Sep 2012 |
| Athena Health Care Associates, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | 1 Sep 2012 |
The site shows organisations only. It does not show the names of persons.
Other homes in Middlesex County
| Nursing home | City | Overall rating | Citations, latest cycle | Fines | Last standard survey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| D'Youville Senior Care | Lowell | 1 of 5 | 22 | $0 | 15 Apr 2026 | |
| D'Youville Care for Advanced Therapy | Lowell | 5 of 5 | 0 | $0 | 25 Jul 2025 | |
| Fairhaven Healthcare Center | Lowell | 2 of 5 | 14 | $15,030 | 26 Sep 2025 | |
| Regalcare at Lowell | Lowell | 1 of 5 | 10 | $91,558 | 10 Mar 2026 | |
| Palm Springs Post Acute | Chelmsford | 2 of 5 | 12 | $0 | 20 Nov 2025 | |
| Care One at Lowell | Lowell | 3 of 5 | 9 | $0 | 21 May 2025 | |
| Sunny Acres Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Ctr | Chelmsford | 4 of 5 | 3 | $0 | 6 May 2025 | |
| Vantage at Lowell LLC | Lowell | 2 of 5 | 9 | $13,497 | 14 May 2025 | |
| New England Pediatric Care | North Billerica | 5 of 5 | 0 | $0 | 1 Apr 2026 | |
| Life Care Center of Merrimack Valley | Billerica | 2 of 5 | 6 | $161,920 | 10 Dec 2025 | |
| Blaire House of TewksburySpecial Focus candidate | Tewksbury | 1 of 5 | 26 | $71,902 | 17 Dec 2025 | |
| Westford Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Westford | 4 of 5 | 3 | $0 | 16 Jul 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 Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center (CCN 225298). Data processed 1 Aug 2026. Elder Care Record, https://eldercarerecord.com/facility/northwood-rehabilitation-healthcare-center-lowell-ma-225298/
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 Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center last inspected?
- The latest inspection with a citation in the CMS record was on 15 Aug 2025. It was a standard survey. It gave 22 citations. The standard survey before the last one was on 29 Aug 2024.
- Who operates Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center?
- The CMS record gives the ownership type as for-profit, partnership. CMS lists the home in the chain Athena Healthcare Systems. The CMS ownership file names Athena Health Care Associates, Inc. for operational or managerial control. This site does not show the names of persons.
- Is Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center 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.