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Nursing HomeMedicaid

Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines

Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.

701 Riverview, Capitol Park · Des Moines, IA 5031674 bedsLicensed & Active
3/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.3/5

based on 56 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1
Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines Nursing Home in Des Moines, IA — Street View
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What this means for your family

While the facility's rehabilitation therapy team is frequently praised, the recurring reports of neglect, poor hygiene, and slow response times are significant red flags. We strongly recommend visiting the facility unannounced and speaking directly with current residents' families before making a decision.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

56 reviews on Google
The Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines receives highly polarized feedback, with recent reviews highlighting significant concerns regarding facility cleanliness, neglect, and poor communication. While some reviewers praise the rehabilitation therapy team and specific staff members, many families report issues with call light response times, hygiene, and building maintenance.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food3.0Staff4.0Clean1.0ActivitiesN/AMeds2.0MemoryN/AComms2.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Knowledgeable rehabilitation therapy team
  • Scenic location near the river
  • Some dedicated and caring individual staff members

Concerns

  • Neglect and poor hygiene (e.g., bed sores, lack of bathing, soiled clothing) (mentioned by 7 reviewers)
  • Slow or ignored call lights and lack of staff responsiveness (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
  • Facility cleanliness and maintenance issues (smells, stains, outdated furniture) (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
  • Poor communication and administrative disorganization (mentioned by 4 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

234'13(1)'17(2)'19(5)'21(3)'23(11)'25(18)'26(3)

Distribution · 62 analyzed

5
35
4
3
3
0
2
3
1
21
13 reviews posted between Nov 10, 2025Nov 11, 2025 · 13 were 5-star

How They Respond to Reviews

17%response rate

This facility rarely responds to reviews.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1Given the facility's proximity to the river, what kind of outdoor access or scenic activities are available to residents on a daily basis?
  • 2With rehabilitation therapy being a noted strength here, how do you ensure that progress made in therapy is maintained by the nursing staff during daily care routines?
  • 3I noticed some concerns regarding facility maintenance and cleanliness; could you walk me through your current housekeeping schedule and how you address deep-cleaning needs?
  • 4How does your leadership team ensure that call lights are answered promptly, and what is your process for tracking staff responsiveness throughout the day?
  • 5Regarding personal care and hygiene, what specific protocols do you have in place to ensure residents receive consistent assistance with bathing and clothing changes?
  • 6How do you keep families informed about changes in a resident's health or care plan, and what is the best way for us to communicate with the administrative team?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

My mom stayed here for rehab and if we would’ve known how horrible this place was, she never would’ve gone. In fact, we removed her and took her home because they ran out of her meds. The final straw.

Rehab patient's family · 2022☆☆☆☆

It is the lowest quality Nursing home in all of Des Moines. It smells like pee, FEW employees actually look like they work or do anything, and it is a cluttered mess.

Visitor/Former healthcare worker · 2024☆☆☆☆

The partnership between the clinical and rehabilitation (therapy) team will offer a holistic approach of care, addressing all needs of your loved one.

Family member · 2020★★★★
Source: 56 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.39hrs
52%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
3.82hrs
93%
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
35%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
55%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Both 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

Medicare Rating
5/ 5
Better Than Avg

8

measures

Worse Than Avg

6

measures

Mixed Results

3

measures

Long-Stay Residents
😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better
This Facility36.7%
Worse than Avg
Here
36.7%
US
12.1%
IA
4.1%
Polk
2.8%

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

💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility77.2%
Worse than Avg
Here
77.2%
US
93.4%
IA
93.9%
Polk
97.0%
💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility85.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
85.9%
US
95.5%
IA
95.2%
Polk
96.5%
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility19.1%
Mixed vs Avgs
Here
19.1%
US
15.4%
IA
19.4%
Polk
11.1%
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility26.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
26.0%
US
19.4%
IA
25.9%
Polk
19.8%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility19.9%
Worse than Avg
Here
19.9%
US
14.4%
IA
17.6%
Polk
13.6%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility98.1%
Better than Avg
Here
98.1%
US
79.7%
IA
73.3%
Polk
82.9%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility95.4%
Better than Avg
Here
95.4%
US
81.8%
IA
84.0%
Polk
90.6%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility0.0%
Better than Avg
Here
0.0%
US
1.6%
IA
2.0%
Polk
1.6%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

10deficiencies
Well above state avg (6.2)
17 complaint-triggered

This facility has significant recurring problems that prompted 19 complaint-triggered investigations from families and staff reporting concerns. Persistent issues span infection control, fire safety systems, and care planning, with ongoing deficiencies in accident prevention and resident rights appearing across multiple surveys. While all violations show correction dates, the pattern of repeated problems in core safety and care areas, including serious concerns about abuse reporting and maintaining adequate nursing staff, suggests systemic challenges that warrant careful consideration.

Sep 16, 2025Routine
14
0341Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.

0353Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

0918Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

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

0641Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

0883Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

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

0887Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

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.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0692Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

0880Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0321Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

0355Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

0920Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

0922Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.

May 7, 2025Complaint
3
0557Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.

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.

0689Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Oct 17, 2024Routine
6
0880Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0039Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Conduct testing and exercise requirements.

0345Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0362Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0695Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Oct 17, 2024Complaint
3
0550Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0685Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.

Jun 6, 2024Complaint
5
0689Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

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.

0580Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0609Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Oct 5, 2023Routine
12
0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0711Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Miscellaneous Deficiencies

Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.

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.

0911Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.

0923Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies

Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.

0644Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0689Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

0693Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0698Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

0623Minimal · PatternCorrected

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.

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing

10total
17deficiencies
Mar 5, 2026Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Feb 10, 2026Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Nov 25, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Nov 15, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Sep 16, 2025Inspection
Clean

Fed violations: 7, State violations: 1

May 24, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

May 7, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 3, State violations: 0

Feb 6, 2025Complaint
Clean

Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Rehabilitation Center of Des Moines

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

The Ensign Group

Chain Size

338 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 3.2/5 · Rank 254 of 328

Ownership & Management

Owners

Gateway Healthcare LLC

Owner · Organization

The Ensign Group INC

Owner (parent company) · Organization

Port, Barry

Individual is an Owner, Partner or Trustee of Any Adp of the Snf

Key personnel

Hayden, ElizabethManaging Control - Governing BodyWei, ShipengManaging Control - Governing BodyJorgensen, DavidOfficer / DirectorBurnam, SoonOfficer / DirectorKeetch, ChadOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

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