Sunnycrest Manor
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Sunnycrest Manor in Dubuque, Iowa has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice among nursing homes, but not the best. It ranks #150 out of 392 facilities in Iowa, placing it in the top half of all state options, and #7 out of 12 in Dubuque County, meaning only a few local options are better. However, the facility's trend is worsening, with issues increasing from 4 in 2024 to 6 in 2025. Staffing is a strong point, rated 5 out of 5 stars, and turnover is low at 27%, which is significantly better than the state average. There have been no fines reported, but the RN coverage is only average. Specific incidents that raise concerns include staff failing to date opened food items and not wearing hair nets or using gloves properly while serving meals, which poses potential health risks. Additionally, kitchen cleanliness issues were noted, such as using the same rag for multiple clean-up tasks without proper sanitizing. While the facility has strong staffing and no fines, the ongoing issues in food safety and sanitation practices are notable weaknesses that families should consider.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Iowa
- #150/392
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 27% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 21 points below Iowa's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Iowa facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 42 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Iowa. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
-
Low Staff Turnover (27%) · Staff stability means consistent care
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover is low (27%)
21 points below Iowa average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
No Significant Concerns Identified
This facility shows no red flags. Among Iowa's 100 nursing homes, only 1% achieve this.
The Ugly 15 deficiencies on record
Sept 2025
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
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, clinical record review, staff and resident interviews, and facility policy, the facility failed to ensure staff treated each resident with dignity and respect for one of four res...
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Feb 2025
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 record review, interviews, and policy review the facility failed to review and revise a resident's Care Plan for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications (Resident #63). The resi...
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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, staff interview, and record review the facility failed to use proper technique to administer insulin for 1 out of 1 residents injected with an insulin pen (Resident #18). The fac...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, staff interview, and record review the facility failed to provide proper hand washing and wound care to prevent the spread of infection in 1 out of 1 wound care observed (Residen...
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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, kitchen record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to store foods according to professional standards and maintain effective sanitizing solution during...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0865
(Tag F0865)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) Statements of Deficiencies, the facility Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) Plan, and staff interviews the facility failed ...
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Apr 2024
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0637
(Tag F0637)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instru...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on clinical record review, Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Long-Term Care (LTC) Facility Resident Assessment Instru...
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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
Based on observations, policy review, and staff interviews the facility failed to maintain appropriate food holding temperatures to prevent food-borne illness and utilize the menu-approved serving siz...
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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 observation, policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to date opened foods, wear hair nets, use gloves appropriately for assembling and serving meals, and wash hands between glo...
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Aug 2023
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
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
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 and resident interviews, the facility failed to follow the resident's ca...
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Dec 2022
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, facility policy, resident and staff interviews the facility failed to assistance residents who are dependent on staff to complete personal care (shaving, washing hands and cleani...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0698
(Tag F0698)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on clinical record review, facility staff interview, and resident interview the facility failed to provide professional standards of practice in order to meet the resident's dialysis care needs ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, facility staff interviews, Dietary Manager interview, and review of facility policies and procedures the ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. The Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment tool, dated 10/12/22, diagnoses listed for Resident #30 included: COVID 19, obesity, an...
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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.
- • 27% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 21 points below Iowa's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
- • 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Sunnycrest Manor's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Sunnycrest Manor an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Iowa, 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 Sunnycrest Manor Staffed?
CMS rates Sunnycrest Manor's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 27%, compared to the Iowa average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Sunnycrest Manor?
State health inspectors documented 15 deficiencies at Sunnycrest Manor during 2022 to 2025. These included: 15 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Sunnycrest Manor?
Sunnycrest Manor is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 77 certified beds and approximately 73 residents (about 95% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in DUBUQUE, Iowa.
How Does Sunnycrest Manor Compare to Other Iowa Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Iowa, Sunnycrest Manor's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (27%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Sunnycrest Manor?
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 Sunnycrest Manor Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Sunnycrest Manor 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 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 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 Sunnycrest Manor Stick Around?
Staff at Sunnycrest Manor tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 27%, the facility is 19 percentage points below the Iowa 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 Sunnycrest Manor Ever Fined?
Sunnycrest Manor 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 Sunnycrest Manor on Any Federal Watch List?
Sunnycrest Manor 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.