Salem Lutheran Home
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 4 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 (9 vs median 5)
- High staff turnover (65%)
- High RN turnover (85%)
Bottom 25% in IA · $25,448 in fines
What this means for your family
While the facility is praised for its physical environment and location, the lack of detailed reviews makes it difficult to verify the quality of daily care. Families should schedule an in-person tour to observe staff-resident interactions and ask specific questions about care protocols, as online feedback is currently insufficient to form a comprehensive opinion.
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 · 16 measures
9
measures
5
measures
2
measures
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
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 needing more daily help over time
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Families have filed complaints prompting inspections at Salem Lutheran Home, with 12 complaint-triggered deficiencies out of 55 total across recent surveys. The most recurring issues involve care planning and quality standards, infection control, and safety/emergency preparedness protocols. While all deficiencies show correction dates, the pattern of repeated complaints and violations across multiple care areas warrants careful evaluation during your visit.
Dec 15, 2025Complaint1
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Oct 8, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Jun 26, 2025Routine6
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
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.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Jun 26, 2025Complaint2
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
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Oct 22, 2024Complaint2
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Aug 11, 2024Routine19
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
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.
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 and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Services Deficiencies
Have an externally vented heating system.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
State Inspection History
State Inspections
Source: Iowa Dept. of Inspections, Appeals & Licensing
May 22, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 8, State violations: 2
Jan 15, 2026ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Dec 15, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0
Dec 1, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Oct 8, 2025ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 1, State violations: 0
Jul 11, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Jun 26, 2025InspectionClean
Fed violations: 7, State violations: 1
Nov 1, 2024ComplaintClean
Fed violations: 0, State violations: 0
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Salem Lutheran Home
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Good Samaritan Society
92 facilities nationwide
Ownership & Management
Owners
American Lutheran Church
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
4 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit salemlutheranhomes.org
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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Safer Alternatives Nearby
Based on current clinical data, we identified 1 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.