Dubuque Specialty Care
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 29 Google reviews

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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Low overall rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (8 vs median 5)
- High staff turnover (57%)
- High RN turnover (58%)
Below average in IA · Below recommended RN staffing · Below chain average · $53,372 in fines
What this means for your family
This facility is highly regarded for its cleanliness, therapy programs, and dedicated nursing staff, making it a strong candidate for rehabilitation. However, because some families have reported issues with administrative communication and food quality, we recommend asking specifically about how the facility handles care plan updates and dietary preferences during your tour.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
29 reviews on Google“Dubuque Specialty Care receives high praise for its attentive nursing staff, clean environment, and effective rehabilitation services. While many families report positive long-term experiences, some reviewers have raised concerns regarding administrative communication, inconsistent care during pandemic-era restrictions, and occasional issues with food quality.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Attentive and compassionate nursing staff
- Clean and well-maintained facility
- Effective physical and occupational therapy
- Engaging activities program
Concerns
- Inconsistent communication and administrative issues (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Poor quality or lack of variety in food service (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 33 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility responds to some reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed your team is active in responding to feedback online; how do you use that family input to improve daily operations and communication?
- 2Given that some families have expressed a desire for more variety in dining, what is the current process for addressing dietary preferences or specific meal requests for residents?
- 3With the facility currently holding a 3-star staffing rating, how do you ensure that nursing staff remain available and attentive to residents' needs throughout all shifts?
- 4What steps is the leadership team taking to address the recent state violations and improve the overall health inspection outcomes?
- 5Since your activities program is frequently highlighted as a strength, could you walk us through a few of the most popular events or social opportunities residents are currently enjoying?
- 6In the event of a sudden medical change or emergency, what is your specific protocol for notifying family members and coordinating with local hospitals?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The staff is amazing they do everything that they can to help everyone the food is really good I loved going to therapy and doing some of the social activities”
“The activies director Madi is awesome. She plans great activities. Some of my family activities are BINGO, Yahtzee, and social events.”
“I just love Dubuque Specialty Care my brother Alfonso has been a resident for almost 10 years and from day one he has loved it”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
7
measures
9
measures
1
measures
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents whose walking got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
This facility shows concerning patterns with 38 deficiencies across 4 surveys, including 10 complaint-triggered issues where families filed reports about problems. Recurring issues involve nursing staff adequacy, care planning, infection control, and fire safety systems. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the facility has struggled with basic safety hazards, resident rights violations, and ensuring adequate nursing coverage to meet resident needs.
Jul 30, 2025Routine9
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
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 the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
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.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Jul 30, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Jul 15, 2024Routine12
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor 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 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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
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.
Jul 15, 2024Complaint8
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Environmental Deficiencies
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
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.
Oct 24, 2023Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 4, 2023Routine7
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Egress Deficiencies
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Jul 15, 2024
$53,372
Payment Denial
Jul 15, 2024
16-day denial
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Dec 3, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 9, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Sep 12, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jul 30, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 0
Aug 20, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jul 15, 2024InspectionClean
Fed violations: 14, State violations: 1
Dec 4, 2023ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 24, 2023ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 1
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Dubuque Specialty Care
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Care Initiatives
43 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 29 of 43
Ownership & Management
Owners
Care Initiatives
Owner · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
29 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit careinitiatives.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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