Map showing the location of Dubuque Specialty Care in Dubuque, Iowa
2935 Kaufmann Avenue, Dubuque, IA, 52001

Overall Score

CMS Five-Star Quality Rating
2/5Below averageCMS Five-Star overall rating
  1. Much below average
  2. Below average
  3. Average
  4. Above average
  5. Much above average

Where it ranks

  • IowaAbove only 21% of peers388 rated homes · average 3.1★
  • Dubuque CountyLowest tier among peers12 rated homes · average 3.7★
  • United StatesAbove only 20% of peers14,574 rated homes · average 3.0★

How the rating is built

  • Health inspectionsStarting point2★−0.9 vs IA avg
  • StaffingCan add or remove a star3★−0.5 vs IA avg
  • Quality measuresCan add or remove a star4★+0.6 vs IA avg

CMS starts from the health inspection stars, then adds or subtracts a star for staffing and for quality measures. Stars are assigned relative to other facilities in the same state.

Ratings & measures

Tap a row to see what it means
Health inspection ratingCMS stars from the last three on-site inspection cycles2★Above only 19% of peersIA avg2.9★U.S. avg2.8★
What is health inspection rating?

Stars assigned from the last three standard surveys and every complaint investigation in that window, weighted toward the most recent and the most serious findings. CMS assigns these stars relative to other facilities in the same state.

Why it matters

It carries the most weight in the overall rating and is the only domain based on what trained inspectors saw on site rather than what the facility reported.

Staffing ratingCMS stars from payroll-reported hours and turnover3★Above only 19% of peersIA avg3.5★U.S. avg2.9★
What is staffing rating?

Nurse and aide hours per resident day from payroll records CMS collects every quarter, adjusted for how much care residents need, plus staff turnover and weekend coverage.

Why it matters

More hours and lower turnover are the strongest predictors of fewer falls, pressure sores, and avoidable hospital stays.

Quality measures ratingCMS stars from clinical outcomes and resident assessments4★Above only 48% of peersIA avg3.4★U.S. avg3.6★
What is quality measures rating?

Clinical outcomes from resident assessments and Medicare claims: falls with injury, pressure ulcers, hospitalizations, antipsychotic use, and more, for both short-stay and long-stay residents.

Why it matters

It shows whether care is working, but part of it comes from the facility’s own assessments, so read it alongside the inspection results.

Total nurse hoursPer resident per day, all nursing staff3.16hrsAbove only 11% of peersIA avg3.83Benchmark4.10
What is total nurse hours?

All licensed nurse and aide hours worked, divided by the number of residents, on an average day. Reported from payroll, not self-reported.

Why it matters

Federal research links 4.1 hours a day to fewer avoidable harms. Below about 3 hours, residents wait longer for help with basics like toileting and repositioning.

RN hoursPer resident per day, registered nurses only0.57hrsAbove only 32% of peersIA avg0.73Benchmark0.75
What is rn hours?

Registered nurse hours only. RNs assess residents, manage medications, and catch changes in condition; LPNs and aides deliver most hands-on care.

Why it matters

RN coverage is the staffing measure most tied to fewer hospital transfers and infections, and it is where thinly staffed facilities cut first.

Nursing staff turnoverShare of nursing staff who left within a year · lower is better57%Above only 19% of peersIA avg44%RN turnover58%
What is nursing staff turnover?

The share of nursing staff who left within the past year, from the same payroll data.

Why it matters

High turnover means residents are cared for by people who do not know them, and it is one of the strongest predictors of inspection problems.

Fines in the last three yearsCivil money penalties imposed by CMS · lower is better$53,372Above only 11% of peersIA avg$21,037Fines · denials1 · 1
What is fines in the last three years?

Civil money penalties CMS imposed after serious or uncorrected deficiencies, and denials of Medicare payment for new admissions.

Why it matters

Penalties follow the worst inspection findings. A recent fine is the clearest sign that inspectors found real harm.

Inspection history

Last three inspection cycles
25citations
4inspection dates
3actual harm (G–I)
0immediate jeopardy (J–L)
Jul 30, 2025most recent

Citations by monthFeb 2023 – Jul 2025

  • No actual harm (D–F)
  • Actual harm (G–I)
  • Immediate jeopardy (J–L)
  • $Fine or payment denial

Click a month or a year to filter the findings below. Arrow keys move between months; Esc clears.

Jul 30, 20258 citationsCycle 1worst F · no actual harm
  1. F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  2. F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Nutrition and DietaryD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  3. F865Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.AdministrationF · widespreadCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  4. F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Infection ControlD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  5. F740Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  6. F644Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  7. F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
  8. F725Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.Nursing and Physician ServicesD · isolatedCorrected Aug 28, 2025
Jul 15, 202414 citationsCycle 2worst G · actual harm$53,372, payment denial
  1. F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  2. F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  3. F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningE · patternCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  4. F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  5. F725Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.Nursing and Physician ServicesE · patternCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  6. F919Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.EnvironmentalD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  7. Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.Resident RightsB · patternCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  8. Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  9. F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Infection ControlD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  10. F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  11. F623Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.Resident RightsB · patternCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  12. F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  13. F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Aug 6, 2024
  14. F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Nutrition and DietaryE · patternCorrected Aug 6, 2024
Oct 24, 20231 citationCycle 3worst G · actual harm
  1. F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Dec 4, 2023
Feb 9, 20232 citationsCycle 3worst G · actual harm
  1. F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Feb 26, 2023
  2. F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Feb 23, 2023

Staffing

From quarterly payroll reports

Hours per resident per day

  • All nursing staffRNs, LPNs and aides combined3.16hrsAbove only 11% of peers−0.67 vs IA avg
  • Registered nursesRN hours only0.57hrsAbove only 32% of peers−0.16 vs IA avg
  • Licensed practical nursesLPN hours0.59hrs
  • Nurse aidesCNA hours2.00hrs
  • Weekend nursingAll staff on Saturdays and Sundays2.76hrs
  • Iowa average
  • Research benchmark (4.10 total, 0.75 RN)

Turnover & capacity

  • Nursing staff turnoverShare who left within a year · lower is better57%Above only 19% of peersIA avg 44%
  • RN turnoverRegistered nurses only58%Not ranked by CMS
  • Administrators who leftIn the past year0Stable leadership
  • Occupancy84 certified beds · ~52 residents a day62%Above only 8% of peersIA avg 81%

Fines & penalties

Roughly the past three years

Enforcement summary

  • $53,372In fines
  • 1Fine
  • 1Payment denial
  • $21,037IA avg in fines
Above only 11% of peersFewer fines than 11% of rated homes in Iowa

Actions on record

  1. Jul 15, 2024Civil money penalty$53,372
  2. Jul 15, 2024Denial of payment for new admissionsfrom Aug 7, 2024

Ownership

As filed with CMS

Structure

Ownership type
Non profit - Corporation
Chain
Care Initiatives43 facilities in the chain3.0★ chain average
Certification
Medicare and Medicaid
Location type
Urban
Ownership change
None in the last 12 months

People and entities on file

Direct owners (5%+)
  • Care Initiatives
Operational or managerial control
  • Charissa Baedke
  • Jamie Duve
  • Brian Whyms
Corporate directors
  • Michael Beal
  • Lane Bowen
  • Mary Jane Carothers
  • Kevin Childs
  • Peter Corless
  • Keith Krein
  • Elizabeth Rust
  • Denise Sturm
  • +1 more
Corporate officers
  • Michael Beal
  • David Dixon
  • Emily Drake
  • Tanya Gilyard
  • Jeramy Kuhn
  • Jessica McDyer
  • Johanna Volm
Mortgage or security interest (5%+)
  • Computershare Corporate Trust

Person Organization

Sources & notes

Public data, updated quarterly

Data sources

  • CMS Care Compare · Provider InformationStar ratings, staffing hours, turnover, penalties and flags · processed February 2026.
  • CMS Health CitationsEvery deficiency from the last three inspection cycles, with scope, severity and inspection cycle.
  • CMS Penalties and Ownership filesCivil money penalties, payment denials, and the owners and managers on file.

Notes

  • CMS Certification Number 165228 · 2935 Kaufmann Avenue, Dubuque, IA, 52001.
  • Percentiles compare this facility with every rated nursing home in Iowa and Dubuque County. Turnover and fines are inverted so a high percentile is always good.
  • This is an informational summary of public data, not medical, legal, or placement advice. Facilities cannot pay to change it; a facility that believes a record is wrong can dispute it with CMS.

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