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Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 13 Google reviews
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These current public-data fields deserve follow-up with the facility and the official Medicare record. They are not a clinical risk score or a substitute for an in-person assessment.
This facility has areas of concern that warrant careful consideration. Registered Nurse hours are 41% of the EveryPlace reference benchmark; ask how RN coverage is allocated across shifts. The latest standard survey recorded 9 findings, above the IA average of 6.2. We recommend asking the administrator directly: "How are you addressing recent staffing shortfalls?" These are not reasons to panic, but they are reasons to ask tough questions and visit in person.
Bethany Lutheran Home receives highly polarized feedback, with some families praising the physical therapy and meal variety while others report significant neglect and administrative hostility. Recurring complaints highlight long response times for call lights, poor communication from management, and inconsistent access to medical doctors.
Quality Themes
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Concerns
Rating Trends
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Distribution · 13 analyzed
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The physical therapy staff is fantastic. I had wonderful care from nursing and generally all staff. Food is very good and contained a wide variety.”
“Mom’s first day at facility and she had to wait over 17 minutes to get staff in so she could use the restroom. Staff came in argumentative and saying if there was a problem we could go speak to the director of nursing.”
“STAY AWAY WHATEVER YOU DO. THE ADMINSTATION WILL THREATEN YOU WITH ELDER ABUSE TO KEEP YOUR FAMILY MEMBER IN THEIR FACILITY LONGER. FACILITY IS NOT KEPT CLEAN. LACK OF BATHING PATIENTS. LACK OF ACCESS TO MEDICAL DOCTORS. 2 HOURS CALL LIGHT TIMES.”
Both RN and total nursing hours are below the EveryPlace reference benchmarks. Ask the facility how it staffs each shift for current resident needs.
Reference benchmarks (0.75 RN and 4.1 total nursing hours per resident/day) are comparison targets, not current federal minimum requirements.
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
8
measures
5
measures
4
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback
Bethany Lutheran Home shows concerning patterns with families frequently filing complaints that triggered over half of its 61 deficiencies across recent surveys. The facility has persistent issues with nursing staffing levels, care planning, and safety hazards that recur across multiple inspections despite correction dates. Most troubling are repeated problems with accident prevention, medication management, and ensuring adequate nursing coverage, suggesting ongoing challenges in providing consistent, safe care for residents.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop 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 Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop 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 Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Provide 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 Services Deficiencies
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
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 Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Oct 2, 2025
$16,588
Fine
Nov 2, 2023
$11,183
Fine
Aug 21, 2023
$19,143
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 1
Fed violations: 2, State violations: 1
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 4, State violations: 1
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 16, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 0
Bethany Lutheran Home
nonprofit
Key personnel
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13 reviews from families & visitors
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