Worth Considering
1
Facilities graded B or better with zero fines
Best Nursing Homes in Ottumwa, Iowa
1 of 3 nursing homes in Ottumwa (33%) meet our strict criteria. The Iowa statewide average is 29%.
1 recommended · 0 caution · 2 avoid · data
City Average
3.0
★
+0.00 vs state
Total Beds
254
across 3 facilities
High Risk Facilities
2
1 Grade F
$100,568 in combined fines
Zero Fines
1
/3
passed all inspections
Nurse Availability
45 min
RN time per resident daily
Meets CMS recommendation
Why This One?
The nursing home market in Ottumwa, Iowa, is limited and challenging, with only one of the three facilities recommended. Families should be aware that while Vista Woods Care Center has a solid rating, two facilities have incurred a total of $100,568 in fines, indicating potential concerns.
Qualified (Grade B, Trust Score 70-79)
- 1 Vista Woods Care Center (75) — Vista Woods Care Center boasts a commendable CMS rating of 4★ and maintains a solid Trust Score of 75/100. With a grade B and no fines, it demonstrates a commitment to quality care within its 60-bed facility. As a for-profit corporation, it effectively balances operational excellence with resident satisfaction.
The other 2 Ottumwa facilities didn't qualify — 2 carry Grade D or F ratings and 2 have fines totaling $100K.
Recommended
Vista Woods Care Center boasts a commendable CMS rating of 4★ and maintains a solid Trust Score of 75/100. With a grade B and no fines, it demonstrates a commitment to quality care within its 60-bed facility. As a for-profit corporation, it effectively balances operational excellence with resident satisfaction.
Staffing Comparison
Staffing levels are the strongest predictor of care quality
| Metric | Top Facility | Ottumwa Avg | CMS Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| RN Hours / Resident / Day | 0.69 | 0.75 | 0.75 |
| CMS Star Rating | 4 stars | 3.0 stars | — |
| Deficiencies / Inspection | 9 | 25.3 | — |
Facilities to Avoid
These facilities have significant quality concerns.
What Disqualified the Other 2?
Our criteria: Trust Grade B or better (score 70+) AND zero fines in 3 years
- Grade F facilities
- 1 Grade F — critical inspection failures
- Facilities with fines
- 2 Have fines totaling $100,568
- Low-scoring facilities
- 1 Scored below B — Trust Scores under 70
Questions Ottumwa Families Should Ask
Based on what we found in local inspection data
-
1
"What is your current CMS star rating and Trust Score?"
Ottumwa's city average is 3.0 stars
-
2
"Have you received any fines in the past 3 years?"
2 of 3 Ottumwa facilities have fines
-
3
"How many RN hours per resident do you provide daily?"
CMS recommends 45 min; Ottumwa avg is 45 min
-
4
"What were your most recent inspection findings?"
Ottumwa facilities average 25.3 deficiencies per inspection
Explore Nearby Cities
Looking for options in Ottumwa? These nearby cities also have recommended facilities
Ottumwa at a Glance
Good News
- 1 facility meets our strict criteria — 33% of the market
- 1 facility with zero fines in the past 3 years
Be Aware
- 1 facility carries Grade F — a significant share
- $100K in total fines across 2 facilities
- Worst facility has $91K in fines alone
Key Numbers
- Average Trust Score: 45.3 (dragged down by 1 F-grade)
- 33% for-profit, 67% non-profit, 0% government
- 25.3 average deficiencies per facility
Frequently Asked Questions
How many nursing homes in Ottumwa, IA are recommended?
1 of 3 nursing homes in Ottumwa (33%) meet our strict criteria of excellent inspection results and a clean record with no fines.
What makes a nursing home in Ottumwa "recommended"?
A facility earns our recommendation when it achieves a Trust Grade of B or better (score of 70+) AND has zero fines in the past three years. This combination indicates consistent quality care and regulatory compliance.
How should I evaluate nursing homes in Ottumwa?
Look beyond star ratings. Check for recent fines, abuse citations, staffing levels (especially RN hours), and inspection deficiencies. Visit in person during different times of day to observe care quality firsthand.