Your report for Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
Overall Score
CMS Five-Star Quality Rating- Much below average
- Below average
- Average
- Above average
- Much above average
Where it ranks
- MassachusettsLowest tier among peers338 rated homes · average 3.0★
- Middlesex CountyLowest tier among peers71 rated homes · average 2.9★
- United StatesLowest tier among peers14,574 rated homes · average 3.0★
How the rating is built
- Health inspectionsStarting point1★−1.9 vs MA avg
- StaffingCan add or remove a star2★−0.9 vs MA avg
- Quality measuresCan add or remove a star3★−0.3 vs MA 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 meansHealth inspection ratingCMS stars from the last three on-site inspection cycles1★Lowest tier among peersMA avg2.9★U.S. avg2.8★
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.
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 turnover2★Above only 11% of peersMA avg2.9★U.S. avg2.9★
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.
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 assessments3★Above only 27% of peersMA avg3.3★U.S. avg3.6★
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.
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 staff3.05hrsAbove only 2% of peersMA avg3.86Benchmark4.10
All licensed nurse and aide hours worked, divided by the number of residents, on an average day. Reported from payroll, not self-reported.
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 only0.47hrsAbove only 26% of peersMA avg0.65Benchmark0.75
Registered nurse hours only. RNs assess residents, manage medications, and catch changes in condition; LPNs and aides deliver most hands-on care.
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 better27%Above 83% of peersMA avg39%RN turnover44%
The share of nursing staff who left within the past year, from the same payroll data.
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$165,780Above only 8% of peersMA avg$39,993Fines · denials2 · 0
Civil money penalties CMS imposed after serious or uncorrected deficiencies, and denials of Medicare payment for new admissions.
Penalties follow the worst inspection findings. A recent fine is the clearest sign that inspectors found real harm.
Inspection history
Last three inspection cyclesCitations by monthSep 2022 – Aug 2024
- No actual harm (D–F)
- Actual harm (G–I)
- Immediate jeopardy (J–L)
- $Fine or payment denial
Showing
Click a month or a year to filter the findings below. Arrow keys move between months; Esc clears.
Aug 29, 2024Cycle 1worst G · actual harm$85,178
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Infection ControlD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, residentâs preferences and goals.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F552Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- 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 Sep 27, 2024
- F583Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- 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 Sep 27, 2024
- F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Oct 4, 2024
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F698Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F699Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- 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 Sep 27, 2024
- F740Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Sep 27, 2024
- F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Oct 4, 2024
- F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Oct 4, 2024
- F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningE · patternCorrected Sep 27, 2024
Jun 5, 2024Cycle 2worst D · no actual harm
- F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Jun 28, 2024
Aug 10, 2023Cycle 2worst G · actual harm$80,602
- F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and ExploitationD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and ExploitationD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningE · patternCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F679Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F699Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F712Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.Nursing and Physician ServicesD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F758Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.Pharmacy ServiceE · patternCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
- F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.Quality of Life and CareE · patternCorrected Sep 19, 2023
- F808Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.Nutrition and DietaryD · isolatedCorrected Sep 8, 2023
Sep 26, 2022Cycle 3worst H · actual harm
- Notify the resident or the residentâs representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the residentâs bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and ExploitationG · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and ExploitationD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and ExploitationD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F623Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.Resident RightsD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F637Assess the resident when there is a significant change in conditionResident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningE · patternCorrected Nov 14, 2022
- F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningG · isolatedCorrected Nov 14, 2022
- F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F685Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F686Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.Quality of Life and CareG · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.Quality of Life and CareH · patternCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F710Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.Nursing and Physician ServicesE · patternCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F755Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Pharmacy ServiceD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.Quality of Life and CareD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Resident Assessment and Care PlanningD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
- F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Infection ControlD · isolatedCorrected Oct 24, 2022
Staffing
From quarterly payroll reportsHours per resident per day
- All nursing staffRNs, LPNs and aides combined3.05hrs
- Registered nursesRN hours only0.47hrs
- Licensed practical nursesLPN hours0.68hrs
- Nurse aidesCNA hours1.89hrs
- Weekend nursingAll staff on Saturdays and Sundays2.83hrs
- Massachusetts average
- Research benchmark (4.10 total, 0.75 RN)
Turnover & capacity
- Nursing staff turnoverShare who left within a year · lower is better27%Above 83% of peersMA avg 39%
- RN turnoverRegistered nurses only44%Not ranked by CMS
- Administrators who leftIn the past year0Stable leadership
- Occupancy123 certified beds · ~117 residents a day95%Top 7%MA avg 81%
Fines & penalties
Roughly the past three yearsEnforcement summary
- $165,780In fines
- 2Fines
- 0Payment denials
- $39,993MA avg in fines
Actions on record
- Aug 29, 2024Civil money penalty$85,178
- Aug 10, 2023Civil money penalty$80,602
Ownership
As filed with CMSStructure
- Ownership type
- For profit - Corporation
- Chain
- Athena Healthcare Systems27 facilities in the chain1.6★ chain average
- Certification
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Location type
- Urban
- Ownership change
- None in the last 12 months
People and entities on file
- Athena Health Care Systems Ma R LLC
- Valerie Chakalos-Santilli
- Diane Curtis
- Michael Mosier
- Lorrie Rezendes
- Lawrence Santilli
- Athena Health Care Associates, INC.
- Lawrence Santilli
- Michael Mosier
Person Organization
Sources & notes
Public data, updated quarterlyData 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 225298 · 1010 VARNUM AVENUE, LOWELL, MA, 01854.
- Percentiles compare this facility with every rated nursing home in Massachusetts and Middlesex 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.









