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Nursing HomeMedicaid Top Rated

Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings. Still worth an in-person visit before deciding.

5211 Highway 110, Aurora, MN 5570533 bedsLicensed & Active
5/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center Nursing Home in Aurora, MN — Street View
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What this means for your family

Choosing Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center means your loved one is in a facility that ranks well on Medicare quality measures. High RN hours correlate directly with lower rates of hospital readmission and better specialized care coordination. While no facility is perfect, the clinical data here is encouraging.

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
1.01hrs
OK
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.60hrs
88%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
20%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
14%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Total nursing hours are below minimum, though RN coverage is adequate. This may mean fewer aides for daily tasks like bathing and mobility.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 16 measures

Medicare Rating
4/ 5
Better Than Avg

14

measures

Worse Than Avg

1

measures

Mixed Results

1

measures

Long-Stay Residents
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
12.1%
MN
4.3%
St. louis
19.4%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility1.4%
Better than Avg
Here
1.4%
US
15.5%
MN
17.0%
St. louis
19.3%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
93.4%
MN
97.3%
St. louis
83.0%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility10.5%
Better than Avg
Here
10.5%
US
19.4%
MN
24.5%
St. louis
18.3%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility9.5%
Better than Avg
Here
9.5%
US
15.3%
MN
21.4%
St. louis
16.5%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility8.0%
Better than Avg
Here
8.0%
US
19.5%
MN
12.5%
St. louis
16.8%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility96.3%
Better than Avg
Here
96.3%
US
81.8%
MN
88.3%
St. louis
62.9%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
1.6%
MN
1.8%
St. louis
1.8%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

0deficiencies
Well below state avg (8.0)
Clean record — no deficiencies

Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center has persistent fire safety issues across all three surveys, with recurring problems in smoke barriers, fire equipment maintenance, and emergency procedures that remain uncorrected into 2026. While most resident care deficiencies from 2023 involving daily living assistance and resident rights appear corrected, the facility's ongoing struggles with basic safety infrastructure and emergency preparedness present concerning patterns families should carefully consider.

Jan 28, 2026Routine
5
0372Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0353Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0712Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0761Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

0921Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

Jan 30, 2025Routine
8
0346Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.

0354Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.

0355Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0920Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

0781Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have restrictions on the use of portable space heaters.

Oct 25, 2023Routine
9
0851Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.

0712Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

0321Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

0372Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.

0578Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

0883Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

0353Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Essentia Health Northern Pines Medical Center

Organization Type

nonprofit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Essentia Health

Chain Size

6 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 3.8/5 · Rank 2 of 5 (Best)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Essentia Health

Owner · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Aronson Norr, NancyOfficer / DirectorBachand, AdamOfficer / DirectorBergstrom, AmyOfficer / DirectorDuininck, TroyOfficer / DirectorJamar, ThomasOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

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References & Resources

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