Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation has received a Trust Grade of F, indicating significant concerns about its quality of care. It ranks #28 out of 33 facilities in Wyoming, placing it in the bottom half, but it is the only facility available in Albany County. While the facility is showing improvement, as the number of issues decreased from 11 in 2023 to 8 in 2024, it still has serious weaknesses. Staffing is average with a turnover rate of 47%, which is better than the state average, but the facility has concerning RN coverage, being below 94% of facilities in Wyoming. Specific incidents include a failure to protect residents from physical and sexual abuse, resulting in harm, and a lack of care that led to pressure injuries for one resident, highlighting the need for better oversight and care practices.
- Trust Score
- F
- In Wyoming
- #28/33
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 47% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $58,828 in fines. Higher than 58% of Wyoming facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 31 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Wyoming. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 28 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 Wyoming average (2.9)
Significant quality concerns identified by CMS
Near Wyoming avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Above median ($33,413)
Moderate penalties - review what triggered them
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 28 deficiencies on record
Oct 2024
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure target symptoms ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation and resident and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure a clean environment for 1 of 3 sample residents (#5) reviewed for bowel and bladder incontinence and activities of ...
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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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure medications were labeled w...
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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 policy review, the facility failed to ensure infection control procedures were implemented for 4 of 4 sample residents (#2, #14, #23, ...
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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
Deficiency F0923
(Tag F0923)
Could have caused harm · 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 ventilation was working in 7 of 10 resident rooms observ...
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CONCERN
(F)
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 staff interview, the facility failed to ensure the dietary manager met the required qualifications. The facility census was 48. The findings were:
Interview with the dietary manager on 10/9/2...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0882
(Tag F0882)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on staff interview and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure a qualified individual was designated as the facility infection preventionist. The facility Census was 48. The f...
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May 2024
1 deficiency
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on medical record review, staff interview, and review of incident and quality improvement documentation, the facility failed to ensure residents were free from physical abuse by other residents ...
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Jul 2023
8 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on resident representative and staff interview, medical record review, facility incident investigation review, facility pe...
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CONCERN
(D)
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 medical record review, State Survey Agency incident report log review, policy review, and staff interview, the facility failed to develop and/or implement policies and procedures for ensuring...
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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 medical record review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure pharmacist recommendations were addressed by the attending physician for 1 of 5 sample r...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
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 medication-specific target symptoms were ident...
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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, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure infection control techniques were utilized during 1 of 2 dining observations. The census was 53. T...
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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
Based on medical record review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure vaccinations were administered to 2 of 5 sample residents (#25, #42) reviewed for immuni...
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CONCERN
(F)
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 staff interview, the facility failed to ensure the dietary manager met the required qualifications. The facility census was 53. The findings were:
Interview with the dietary manager on 7/24/2...
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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, temperature log review, manufacturer instruction review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure the sanitization level of the automatic d...
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Mar 2023
3 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, staff interview, hospital record review, hospital staff interview, and policy and procedure revi...
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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
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, staff interview, hospital record review, hospital staff interview, and policy and procedure revi...
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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
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, staff interview, hospital record review, hospital staff interview, and policy and procedure revi...
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Nov 2022
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
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, medical record review, and resident and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure residents with urinary catheters received appropriate treatment and services to prevent uri...
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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
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to implement measures to effectively ensure residen...
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Jun 2022
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Notification of Changes
(Tag F0580)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on resident representative interview, medical record review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to notify the resident's representative for 1 of 7 sample resid...
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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 resident and staff interview, medical record review, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to develop an...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0657
(Tag F0657)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, medical record review, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure the care plan was...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, medical record review, resident and staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on medical record review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure appropriate beha...
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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, policy and procedure review, CMS Guidance review, CDC guideline review, facilty COVID line list review, and county transmission rate review. the facility failed ...
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MINOR
(B)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Staffing Information
(Tag F0732)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, review of the nursing staff postings, and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure the information on the posted 24-hour nursing staff information was maintained and update...
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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
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 3 harm violation(s), $58,828 in fines. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 28 deficiencies on record, including 3 serious (caused harm) violations. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • $58,828 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in Wyoming. Major compliance failures.
- • Grade F (15/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is considered much below average nationally. Within Wyoming, 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 Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation Staffed?
CMS rates Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 47%, compared to the Wyoming average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation?
State health inspectors documented 28 deficiencies at Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation during 2022 to 2024. These included: 3 that caused actual resident harm, 24 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 Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation?
Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by STELLAR SENIOR LIVING, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 105 certified beds and approximately 49 residents (about 47% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Laramie, Wyoming.
How Does Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation Compare to Other Wyoming Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Wyoming, Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation's overall rating (1 stars) is below the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (47%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (2 stars) is below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation?
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 Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation 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 1-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in Wyoming. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation Stick Around?
Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation has a staff turnover rate of 47%, which is about average for Wyoming 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 Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation Ever Fined?
Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation has been fined $58,828 across 3 penalty actions. This is above the Wyoming average of $33,667. Fines in this range indicate compliance issues significant enough for CMS to impose meaningful financial consequences. Common causes include delayed correction of deficiencies, repeat violations, or care failures affecting resident safety. Families should ask facility leadership what changes have been made since these penalties.
Is Cottonwood Health And Rehabilitation on Any Federal Watch List?
Cottonwood Health and Rehabilitation 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.