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Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 121 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 78% of the EveryPlace reference benchmark; ask how RN coverage is allocated across shifts. The latest standard survey recorded 16 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.
Harmony West Des Moines has experienced a significant shift in reputation, with many recent reviews praising a new administration team for improving care quality, staff morale, and facility atmosphere. While long-term rehab patients frequently highlight excellent therapy services and kind nursing staff, some families continue to express concerns regarding chronic understaffing, slow response times for call lights, and inconsistent communication.
Quality Themes
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Concerns
Rating Trends
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Distribution · 116 analyzed
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“I know this place hasn’t always had the best reputation, but it is on its way to greatness under their new administrator Karah!”
“On the day of this release, Mom was overwhelmed by the farewell. As we left her room and proceeded to make our way to the front, many staff members stopped to hug mom and wish her well.”
“The therapists were all very knowledgeable, attractive and motivating. I started out with a poor attitude about my chances for being mobile. The way they work you, teach you and become your friends is o”
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
10
measures
5
measures
2
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
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
Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback
Harmony West Des Moines has serious quality concerns with 40 complaint-triggered deficiencies from families who filed reports about care problems. The facility repeatedly struggles with nursing staffing levels, medication management, and infection control across multiple surveys. While all violations show correction dates, the persistent pattern of complaints about basic care standards, resident dignity, and safety issues suggests ongoing operational challenges that families should carefully investigate before considering placement.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
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.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Provide each resident with a nourishing, palatable, well-balanced diet that meets his or her daily nutritional and special dietary needs.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
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
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
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 and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement 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.
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.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and 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
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Federal Penalties
Payment Denial
Mar 5, 2026
733-day denial
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 2, State violations: 1
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 14, State violations: 2
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Harmony West Des Moines
for profit
Legacy Healthcare
89 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 89 of 89 (Lowest rating)
Owners
Doros Generation Trust U/a/d 1/3/12
Owner · Organization
Gpn Family Trust U/a/d 4/28/08
Owner · Organization
Oakway Operations LLC
Owner · Organization
Key personnel
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
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Google Reviews
121 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
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Original nursing home datasets
EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Some summaries, interpretations, suggested questions, and pricing research are AI-generated or AI-assisted and may contain errors or omit important context. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.
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