Sacred Heart Care Center
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
Sacred Heart Care Center has a Trust Grade of C+, which means it is slightly above average but not exceptional. In Minnesota, it ranks #199 out of 337 nursing facilities, placing it in the bottom half, while it is #2 out of 4 in Mower County, indicating limited local competition. The facility is improving, with issues decreasing from 14 in 2024 to 8 in 2025. Staffing is a strength with a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, although the turnover rate is 51%, which is average for the state. It has no fines on record, which is a positive sign, but it has less RN coverage than 91% of other facilities, raising concerns about adequate nursing oversight. Specific incidents noted include a failure to ensure staff were adequately trained on mechanical lift maintenance, which could risk the safety of residents who rely on these devices. Additionally, there were two instances where the facility lacked RN coverage for eight consecutive hours, which could lead to inadequate care during those times. While there are clear strengths in staffing and a lack of fines, families should be aware of the training gaps and RN coverage issues that could affect resident safety.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Minnesota
- #199/337
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 51% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Minnesota facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 51 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than average for Minnesota. RNs are trained to catch health problems early.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 29 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Minnesota average (3.2)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Minnesota avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
The Ugly 29 deficiencies on record
Jul 2025
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0645
(Tag F0645)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure a Level II Pre-admission Screening and Resid...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0699
(Tag F0699)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to comprehensively assess past trauma and implement individualized c...
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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 interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure employee illnesses were tracked to identify when employees would be able to return to work after an illness, dependent upon their ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure a process was in place to maintain 4 of 4 Med...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0726
(Tag F0726)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure staff were appropriately trained and educated on how to identify and report mechanical lift maintenance concerns to p...
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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
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and document review the facility failed to implement their abuse prohibition policy when there was an allegation of misappropriation of resident property for 1 of 1 resident (R1) re...
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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
Based on interviews and document review the facility failed to report to state agency (SA) potential misappropriation of resident property (missing narcotics) no later than twenty-four after an allega...
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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
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to implement policies and procedures to ensure accurate reconciliation of controlled substances to ensure rapid detection of po...
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May 2024
13 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0554
(Tag F0554)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure a self-administration of medications (SAM) a...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0561
(Tag F0561)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to provide opportunities for participation in the activities of choice (walking outside) for 1 of 1 residents (R44), reviewed f...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0625
(Tag F0625)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to provide the resident or their representative a written bed hold p...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to consistently follow orders for application of splints...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure respiratory equipment was changed weekly acc...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Antibiotic Stewardship
(Tag F0881)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to develop an antibiotic stewardship program which included the deve...
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CONCERN
(F)
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 interview and record review the facility failed to ensure a registered nurse (RN) was on duty a minimum of 8 consecutive hours per day on 10/7/23 and 10/21/23.
Findings include:
A review of...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0865
(Tag F0865)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and document review the facility failed to provide policies and procedures for their quality assurance and quality improvement committee (QAPI). This had the potential to effect all...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure appropriate hand hygiene and donning/doffing ...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure the required and complete nurse staffing information was posted and readily available for viewing by the residents an...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Data
(Tag F0851)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and document review, the facility failed to submit complete and accurate direct care staffing information during 1 of 1 quarters (Quarter 1) reviewed for payroll based journal (PBJ)...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
QAPI Program
(Tag F0867)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and document review the facility failed to ensure infection control data and performance improvement plans were incorporated into the facility-wide Quality Assurance and Performance...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Deficiency F0868
(Tag F0868)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on document review and interview, the facility failed to demonstrate routine attendance and participation in the QA/QAPI process for 1 of 1 medical director (MD) required to be in attendance qua...
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Feb 2024
1 deficiency
MINOR
(C)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and document review the facility failed to have a policy consistent with federal requirements for reporting allegations of abuse to the State Agency immediately but no later than tw...
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Jul 2023
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and document review, facility failed to ensure a comfortable environment, having hot water avai...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0661
(Tag F0661)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and document review the facility failed to ensure an appropriate discharge summary had been completed for 1 o...
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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** R16's significant change in status MDS assessment, dated 6/9/22, indicated severely impaired cognition, no behaviors, no rejecti...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0813
(Tag F0813)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure food brought in from home was dated and stored separately from...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure doses of controlled substances were stored in a manner to reduce the risk of theft and/or diversion in 1 of 1 refrigerators and emerge...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0883
(Tag F0883)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and document review the facility failed to provide evidence pneumococcal vaccinations were up to date for 4 o...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to adequately follow water management program to consi...
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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 Minnesota facilities.
- • 29 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Sacred Heart Care Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Sacred Heart Care Center an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Minnesota, 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 Sacred Heart Care Center Staffed?
CMS rates Sacred Heart Care Center's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 51%, compared to the Minnesota average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Sacred Heart Care Center?
State health inspectors documented 29 deficiencies at Sacred Heart Care Center during 2023 to 2025. These included: 24 with potential for harm and 5 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Sacred Heart Care Center?
Sacred Heart 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 59 certified beds and approximately 54 residents (about 92% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in AUSTIN, Minnesota.
How Does Sacred Heart Care Center Compare to Other Minnesota Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Minnesota, Sacred Heart Care Center's overall rating (3 stars) is below the state average of 3.2, staff turnover (51%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Sacred Heart Care Center?
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 Sacred Heart Care Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Sacred Heart 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 3-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in Minnesota. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Sacred Heart Care Center Stick Around?
Sacred Heart Care Center has a staff turnover rate of 51%, which is about average for Minnesota 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 Sacred Heart Care Center Ever Fined?
Sacred Heart Care Center 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 Sacred Heart Care Center on Any Federal Watch List?
Sacred Heart 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.