LUTHERAN CARE CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Lutheran Care Center in Altamont, Illinois, has a Trust Grade of B+, which means it is above average and recommended for families considering care for their loved ones. The facility ranks #58 out of 665 in Illinois, placing it in the top half of nursing homes in the state, and it is the top choice among four local options in Effingham County. However, the facility's trend is worsening, as issues increased from three in 2023 to four in 2024. Staffing is a strength, with a 5/5 star rating and a turnover rate of only 25%, well below the state average, which suggests that staff are experienced and familiar with residents' needs. While there are some strengths, there are also concerning issues. The facility has faced $25,233 in fines, indicating average compliance problems. Specific incidents include a serious failure to supervise a confused resident during toileting, which led to a fall causing significant injuries. Additionally, there were concerns about infection control measures not being adequately followed for several residents, and one case of verbal abuse toward a resident was reported, highlighting a need for better oversight in staff interactions. Overall, while Lutheran Care Center has notable strengths in staffing and general care, families should weigh these against the recent troubling incidents.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In Illinois
- #58/665
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 25% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 23 points below Illinois's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $25,233 in fines. Lower than most Illinois facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 45 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Illinois. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ○ Average
- 10 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
Low Staff Turnover (25%) · Staff stability means consistent care
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (25%)
23 points below Illinois average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Below median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
The Ugly 10 deficiencies on record
Nov 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident was free from staff to resident verbal abuse for ...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to immediately report an allegation of staff to resident verbal and ph...
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Jul 2024
2 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, observation, and record review, the facility failed to supervise a confused resident during toileting for 1 ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to follow enhanced barrier precautions for 8 of 12 residents (R5, R6, R8, R12, R18, R25, R35 and R41) reviewed for infection cont...
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Jun 2023
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to add fall prevention interventions for a resident at h...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to administer prescribed medication per physicians orders and manufacturers directions for two residents of ten residents (R9, R...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Deficiency F0912
(Tag F0912)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interviews, observation, and record review the facility failed to provide at least 80 square feet of living space per r...
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Jun 2022
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to maintain aseptic technique during wound care and perineal care for two (R49 and R7) of 13 residents reviewed for infection con...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0688
(Tag F0688)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, observation and record review, the facility failed to provide range of motion for one (R49) of one resident ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview and record review, the facility failed to provide oxygen therapy humidification for 3 (R47, R38, R3) of 3 residents reviewed for oxygen therapy services in the sample o...
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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
- • Grade B+ (83/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Illinois.
- • 25% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 23 points below Illinois's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • 10 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $25,233 in fines. Higher than 94% of Illinois facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
About This Facility
What is Lutheran's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns LUTHERAN CARE CENTER an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Illinois, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Lutheran Staffed?
CMS rates LUTHERAN CARE CENTER's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 25%, compared to the Illinois average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Lutheran?
State health inspectors documented 10 deficiencies at LUTHERAN CARE CENTER during 2022 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm, 8 with potential for harm, and 1 minor or isolated issues. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Lutheran?
LUTHERAN CARE CENTER is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 96 certified beds and approximately 41 residents (about 43% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in ALTAMONT, Illinois.
How Does Lutheran Compare to Other Illinois Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Illinois, LUTHERAN CARE CENTER's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.5, staff turnover (25%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Lutheran?
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 Lutheran Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, LUTHERAN CARE CENTER 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Illinois. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Lutheran Stick Around?
Staff at LUTHERAN CARE CENTER tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 25%, the facility is 21 percentage points below the Illinois average of 46%. Low turnover is a positive sign. It means caregivers have time to learn each resident's needs, medications, and personal preferences. Consistent staff also notice subtle changes in a resident's condition more quickly.
Was Lutheran Ever Fined?
LUTHERAN CARE CENTER has been fined $25,233 across 2 penalty actions. This is below the Illinois average of $33,331. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Lutheran on Any Federal Watch List?
LUTHERAN CARE CENTER 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.