Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 25 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 (1/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (1/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (13 vs median 5)
Bottom 25% in IA · Worst in THE ENSIGN GROUP chain · $135,298 in fines
What this means for your family
While the facility has historically been praised for its therapy team and home-like atmosphere, the recent, consistent reports of bed bugs, scabies, and neglect are critical red flags. We strongly advise families to conduct an unannounced visit and specifically inspect the cleanliness of rooms and ask management directly about their current pest control protocols and staffing ratios.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
25 reviews on Google“Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation presents a highly polarized experience for families. While some reviewers praise the therapy team and home-like environment, recent reports from 2024 describe severe sanitation issues, including bed bug and scabies infestations, alongside concerns regarding understaffing and neglect of basic patient needs.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Effective rehabilitation therapy team
- Home-like facility atmosphere
- Friendly staff members (noted by some)
Concerns
- Bed bug and scabies infestations (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Chronic understaffing and slow response times (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
- Poor quality and delivery of meals (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Lack of communication or difficulty reaching staff (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 27 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility responds to some reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1Given the recent focus on facility hygiene, could you walk me through your current protocols for pest control and how you ensure rooms remain clean and comfortable for residents?
- 2I noticed that communication is a top priority for families; what is the most reliable way for me to get in touch with my loved one's care team if I have a question or concern?
- 3With your rehabilitation team being a noted strength, how do they coordinate with the nursing staff to ensure a resident's therapy goals are supported throughout the rest of the day?
- 4I see that you have responded to some feedback online; how do you use family input to make tangible improvements to the daily dining experience and meal quality?
- 5Could you explain your current staffing model and how you ensure that residents receive timely assistance when they press their call lights, especially during evening or weekend hours?
- 6What specific activities or social opportunities are available to help residents feel connected and engaged in the community on a daily basis?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“I have a loved one there currently amd not only do they bed bugs, that have been spread throughout the building they now have scabies!!!!!! The recent change in leadership has made the building go down hill in my opinion”
“He was covered in sores from a medicine change. No one did anything about it until I showed up. I cried when I saw how bad he was.”
“The food was horrid, cold and soggy being the only thing consistent. Totally inept and understaffed.”
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
5
measures
9
measures
3
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
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
Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation has a concerning pattern of complaint-triggered deficiencies, with families filing reports that led to 23 violations across multiple surveys. The facility shows recurring issues with treatment and care quality, resident safety measures, and nursing staffing levels. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the persistent nature of similar problems across multiple years suggests ongoing operational challenges that prospective families should carefully consider.
Feb 26, 2026Routine19
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Construction Deficiencies
Use approved construction type or materials.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install an approved automatic sprinkler system.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.
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
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
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.
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 feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Administration Deficiencies
Help the resident with transportation to and from laboratory services outside of the facility.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Feb 26, 2026Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Nov 17, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Aug 27, 2025Complaint5
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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 Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
May 22, 2025Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Mar 27, 2025Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Obtain a doctor's order to admit a resident and ensure the resident is under a doctor's care.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Feb 26, 2026
$47,300
Fine
Aug 27, 2025
$135,298
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Apr 1, 2026InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Feb 26, 2026InspectionClean
Fed violations: 17, State violations: 2
Dec 23, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Nov 17, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 1
Oct 29, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Aug 27, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 5, State violations: 1
Jul 3, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
May 22, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 2, State violations: 1
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation
for profit
Chain Affiliation
The Ensign Group
342 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.2/5 · Rank 290 of 328 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Owners
Port, Barry
Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf
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
25 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit fortdodgehealth.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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