OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Otterbein North Shore has a Trust Grade of C+, which means it is considered decent and slightly above average among nursing homes. In Ohio, it ranks #313 out of 913 facilities, placing it in the top half, and it is #2 out of 4 in Ottawa County, indicating that there is only one local option rated higher. However, the facility is experiencing a worsening trend, with issues increasing from 2 in 2024 to 9 in 2025. Staffing is a concern, as the turnover rate is 70%, significantly higher than the state average of 49%, although the home does have good RN coverage, exceeding 98% of Ohio facilities. Recent inspections revealed serious issues, including expired and unlabeled food in storage and insufficient nursing coverage on multiple days, which raised potential risks for residents. Overall, while there are strengths in RN coverage and no fines, the increasing number of concerns and staffing issues may be red flags for families considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- C+
- In Ohio
- #313/913
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 70% turnover. Very high, 22 points above average. Constant new faces learning your loved one's needs.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Ohio facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 105 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Ohio nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 15 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
24pts above Ohio avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
22 points above Ohio average of 48%
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
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, observation, staff interviews, and review of the manufacturer's instructions for the facility's ...
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Apr 2025
8 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0558
(Tag F0558)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, observations, and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure the call lights were within th...
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CONCERN
(D)
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 medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to develop a care plan for dehydration for a resident wh...
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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 medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure a resident who was on a stool softener daily r...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, observations, and staff interviews, the facility failed ensure there was a policy and procedure ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0883
(Tag F0883)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on medical record review, staff interviews, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to offer annual influenza immunizations to the residents during the 2024-2025 influenza season. Thi...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, staff interview, and review of the facility policies, the facility failed to ensure food items were stored...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Deficiency F0575
(Tag F0575)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure all required postings were displayed in the facility in ...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure nurse staffing information was posted as required. This ...
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Jun 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
Abuse Prevention Policies
(Tag F0607)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on review of the Self-Reported Incident (SRI), medical record review, staff interview and review of the facility policy, the facility failed to implement their policy and ensure staff accused of...
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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
Staffing Data
(Tag F0851)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on the review of the facility's Payroll-Based Journal (PBJ) Staffing Data Report, staffing schedule, staff time sheets, and staff interview, the facility failed to submit accurate information in...
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Mar 2023
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, medical record review, staff interview, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to ensure a resident's tube feeding was administered at the rate ordered by the physici...
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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, medical record review, staff interview, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to ensure a resident who was on contact isolation had proper signage posted and persona...
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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 review of Quality Assurance (QA) meeting attendance records, staff interview and policy review, the facility failed to ensure required staff members were in attendance at the quarterly QA mee...
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Feb 2020
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0700
(Tag F0700)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, observation, staff interview, review of standards from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FD...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Why is there high staff turnover? How do you retain staff?"
- "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 Ohio facilities.
- • 15 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
- • 70% turnover. Very high, 22 points above average. Constant new faces learning your loved one's needs.
About This Facility
What is Otterbein North Shore's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Ohio, 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 Otterbein North Shore Staffed?
CMS rates OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 70%, which is 24 percentage points above the Ohio average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. 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 Otterbein North Shore?
State health inspectors documented 15 deficiencies at OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE during 2020 to 2025. These included: 12 with potential for harm and 3 minor or isolated issues.
Who Owns and Operates Otterbein North Shore?
OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by OTTERBEIN SENIORLIFE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 20 certified beds and approximately 18 residents (about 90% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in LAKESIDE, Ohio.
How Does Otterbein North Shore Compare to Other Ohio Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Ohio, OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.2, staff turnover (70%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Otterbein North Shore?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "How do you ensure continuity of care given staff turnover, and what is your staff retention strategy?" "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?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate.
Is Otterbein North Shore Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE 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 Ohio. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Otterbein North Shore Stick Around?
Staff turnover at OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE is high. At 70%, the facility is 24 percentage points above the Ohio average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 60%. RNs handle complex medical decisions and coordinate care — frequent RN changes can directly impact care quality. High turnover means new staff may not know residents' individual needs, medications, or preferences. It can also be disorienting for residents, especially those with dementia who rely on familiar faces. Families should ask: What is causing the turnover? What retention programs are in place? How do you ensure care continuity during staff transitions?
Was Otterbein North Shore Ever Fined?
OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE 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 Otterbein North Shore on Any Federal Watch List?
OTTERBEIN NORTH SHORE 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.