Belle Plaine Specialty Care
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Belle Plaine Specialty Care has a Trust Grade of C, which means it is average and sits in the middle of the pack among nursing homes. It ranks #253 out of 392 facilities in Iowa, placing it in the bottom half, and #4 out of 4 in Benton County, indicating it has no local competitors that are better. The facility is showing improvement, as it reduced its issues from 11 in 2024 to only 3 in 2025. Staffing is rated average with a turnover rate of 53%, which is on par with the state average, though this means many staff members do leave. There have been no fines recorded, which is a positive sign, and the facility offers more registered nurse coverage than many others, ensuring better oversight for residents. However, there are concerns regarding staffing stability, as the facility has not had a full-time Director of Nurses since January 2024, and it also lacks a full-time Dietary Manager, which could affect meal planning and nutrition. Additionally, the Administrator is responsible for two facilities, potentially leading to divided attention and oversight. While there are no critical issues, the presence of 23 concerns indicates potential areas of risk, including the need for more consistent management and coverage. Families considering this facility should weigh these strengths and weaknesses carefully.
- Trust Score
- C
- In Iowa
- #253/392
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 53% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Iowa facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 35 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Iowa. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 23 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
Below Iowa average (3.0)
Below average - review inspection findings carefully
Near Iowa avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 23 deficiencies on record
Apr 2025
3 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
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, clinical record review, staff interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to respect resident dign...
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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
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, clinical record review, resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to appropriately provide an ass...
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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
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, clinical record review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to safely transfer 1 of 1 residents (Res...
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Oct 2024
1 deficiency
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
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, and staff, resident and resident responsible party interviews, the facility failed to assess a ...
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Oct 2024
6 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and resident interview the facility failed to provide a resident room tray until early afternoon for 1 resident (Resident #5) and when the tray was served the facility failed to p...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Drug Regimen Review
(Tag F0756)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, personal health record reviews and pharmacy recommendation reviews, the facility failed to have a provider respond to a monthly pharmacy recommendation in July and in August for 1...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0804
(Tag F0804)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, document review, and resident and staff interview the facility failed to maintain hot foods above 135 degrees Fahrenheit and cold beverages below 41 degrees Fahrenheit for 1 of 1...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0808
(Tag F0808)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to obtain a doctor's order for a change in diet for 1 of 6 resident's reviewed (Resident #16). Speech Therapy recommended a di...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews, and policy review, the facility failed to safely handle food when preparing sandwiches. The staff put on gloves then touched other items with gloved hands prior to t...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0805
(Tag F0805)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility served 1 resident the wrong diet (Resident #27) and failed to initially set up the appropriate diets for 4 other residents with the i...
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Feb 2024
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Menu Adequacy
(Tag F0803)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on clinical record reviews, staff and resident interviews, observations, and review of dietary spread sheets/menus the facility failed to prepare and serve the correct amount of food for 2 of 3 ...
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CONCERN
(F)
📢 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
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and observations the facility failed to employ a full time Director of Nurses since 1/26/2024. The facility reported a census of 39.
Findings include...
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CONCERN
(F)
📢 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
Deficiency F0801
(Tag F0801)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on clinical record review, staff and resident interviews, observations, and dietary schedules the facility failed to employ a full time Dietary Manager since 12/31/23. The facility reported a ce...
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CONCERN
(F)
📢 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
Deficiency F0836
(Tag F0836)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, staff interviews, and observations the facility failed to employ an Assistant Administrator to ...
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Jul 2023
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0578
(Tag F0578)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, policy review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure clear direction of a residen...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, clinical record review, policy review, and staff interview, the facility failed to follow physician orders during the administration of a tube feeding for 1 of 1 residents review...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on clinical record review, resident and staff interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide ordered nutrition supplements or contact the Dietician or provider for altern...
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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 observation, record review, and staff interview, the facility failed to store and prepare foods under sanitary conditions for 2 of 2 kitchen observations. The facility reported a census of 42...
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Jun 2022
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, clinical record review, policy review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to revise Resident Care Plans after each assessment for 1 of 12 residents (Resident #5). The faci...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, Physician Orders review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to carry out Physician's Ord...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0800
(Tag F0800)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, policy review and staff interviews, the facility failed to meet the nutritional well being ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0802
(Tag F0802)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, policy review, and staff interviews the facility failed to provide a sufficient number of Dietary Staff to safely and effectively prepare 4 of 12 meals. The facility reported a c...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Menu Adequacy
(Tag F0803)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, Menu review, Training Form review, and staff interviews, the facility failed to follow the Planned Menu for 3 out of 38 meals. The facility reported a census of 40 residents.
Fin...
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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 Iowa facilities.
- • 23 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • Grade C (50/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Belle Plaine Specialty Care's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Belle Plaine Specialty Care an overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars, which is considered below average nationally. Within Iowa, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. A rating at this level reflects concerns identified through health inspections, staffing assessments, or quality measures that families should carefully consider.
How is Belle Plaine Specialty Care Staffed?
CMS rates Belle Plaine Specialty Care's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 53%, compared to the Iowa average of 46%. RN turnover specifically is 60%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Belle Plaine Specialty Care?
State health inspectors documented 23 deficiencies at Belle Plaine Specialty Care during 2022 to 2025. These included: 23 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Belle Plaine Specialty Care?
Belle Plaine Specialty Care is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by CARE INITIATIVES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 46 certified beds and approximately 35 residents (about 76% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Belle Plaine, Iowa.
How Does Belle Plaine Specialty Care Compare to Other Iowa Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Iowa, Belle Plaine Specialty Care's overall rating (2 stars) is below the state average of 3.0, staff turnover (53%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (2 stars) is below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Belle Plaine Specialty 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 Belle Plaine Specialty Care Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Belle Plaine Specialty 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 2-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in Iowa. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Belle Plaine Specialty Care Stick Around?
Belle Plaine Specialty Care has a staff turnover rate of 53%, which is 7 percentage points above the Iowa average of 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 Belle Plaine Specialty Care Ever Fined?
Belle Plaine Specialty 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 Belle Plaine Specialty Care on Any Federal Watch List?
Belle Plaine Specialty 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.