FOWLER HEALTH CARE
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Fowler Health Care has received a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice, although not the top-tier option. It ranks #102 out of 208 facilities in Colorado, placing it in the top half, and is the best option among the two nursing homes in Otero County. Unfortunately, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with reported issues increasing from 4 in 2019 to 6 in 2024. Staffing appears to be a strength, with a 4/5 star rating and a turnover rate of 40%, which is lower than the state average, but RN coverage is concerning as it is below what 78% of Colorado facilities provide. While there are no fines on record, indicating compliance with regulations, there have been specific incidents of concern. For instance, the facility failed to ensure proper staffing data was submitted accurately, which could impact care quality. Additionally, there was a violation related to food safety and hygiene practices, as staff did not follow proper handwashing procedures and the freezer temperature was not maintained below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, there were gaps in staff training for abuse prevention and dementia care, raising concerns about the adequacy of staff preparedness to handle such sensitive issues. Overall, while Fowler Health Care has strengths in staffing and no fines, it also has notable weaknesses that families should carefully consider.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Colorado
- #102/208
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 40% turnover. Near Colorado's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Colorado facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 39 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Colorado. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (40%)
8 points below Colorado average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Colorado average (3.1)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Colorado avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 11 deficiencies on record
Mar 2024
6 deficiencies
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure care for residents was provided in a manner and in an environment that maintained or enhanced the residents' dignity ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to notify the provider according to physician orders for one (#28) of...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0730
(Tag F0730)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to complete a performance review of every nurse aide at least once every 12 months and provide regular in-service education based on the outc...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations and interviews the facility failed to store, distribute and serve food in a sanitary manner in two of two kitchen nourishment refrigerators.
Specifically, the facility failed to ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0923
(Tag F0923)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to provide adequate ventilation by means of mechanical ventilati...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Staffing Data
(Tag F0851)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure mandatory submission of direct care staffing based on payroll roll data.
Specifically, the facility failed to ensure staffing data...
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Dec 2019
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0604
(Tag F0604)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure residents were free from physical restraints ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure as needed (PRN) orders for psychotropic drugs...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure food was stored, prepared, and served under sanitary conditions in one of one kitchen.
Specifically, the facili...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0943
(Tag F0943)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on record review and interviews, the facility failed to ensure staff had current abuse and dementia care training.
Specifically, the facility failed to:
-Ensure one of two registered nurses (RNs...
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Dec 2018
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure residents who needed respiratory care was prov...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Colorado facilities.
- • 40% turnover. Below Colorado's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 11 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Fowler Health Care's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns FOWLER HEALTH CARE an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Colorado, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Fowler Health Care Staffed?
CMS rates FOWLER HEALTH CARE's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 40%, compared to the Colorado average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Fowler Health Care?
State health inspectors documented 11 deficiencies at FOWLER HEALTH CARE during 2018 to 2024. These included: 11 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Fowler Health Care?
FOWLER HEALTH CARE is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 45 certified beds and approximately 36 residents (about 80% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in FOWLER, Colorado.
How Does Fowler Health Care Compare to Other Colorado Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Colorado, FOWLER HEALTH CARE's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (40%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Fowler Health Care?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Fowler Health Care Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, FOWLER HEALTH CARE has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in Colorado. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Fowler Health Care Stick Around?
FOWLER HEALTH CARE has a staff turnover rate of 40%, which is about average for Colorado nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Fowler Health Care Ever Fined?
FOWLER HEALTH CARE has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Fowler Health Care on Any Federal Watch List?
FOWLER HEALTH CARE is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.