Nursing HomeMedicaid

University Park Care Center

Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise warm, compassionate nursing staff. Still worth an in-person visit.

945 Desert Flower Blvd, University · Pueblo, CO 81001|180 beds|Licensed & Active

Source: CO CDPHE — view official record

4/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

4.3/5

based on 172 Google reviews

(719) 545-5321 Directions Website

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What this means for your family

University Park Care Center is frequently praised for its compassionate staff and clean environment, making it a potentially good choice for those who value a warm atmosphere. However, because multiple families have reported serious concerns regarding medication management and slow response times, we strongly recommend you conduct unannounced visits and ask specific questions about their process for handling medical emergencies and family grievances.

Google Reviews

172 reviews on Google

“University Park Care Center receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the staff's kindness and the facility's cleanliness, while others report severe incidents of neglect and unprofessionalism. While many reviewers highlight a warm, home-like environment, critical concerns regarding medication errors, slow response times to call lights, and poor communication with families persist. Prospective families should weigh the positive reports of attentive nursing against serious allegations of patient safety lapses.”

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Warm, compassionate nursing staff
Clean and well-maintained facility
Effective physical therapy services
Friendly and welcoming environment

Concerns

Neglect and slow response to call lights (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
Poor communication and lack of responsiveness from management (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
Medication management errors and omissions (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Unprofessional or rude staff behavior (mentioned by 5 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 172 analyzed

128

How They Respond to Reviews

97%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

1I noticed you are very active in responding to feedback online; how do you use that family input to improve the daily experience for residents?
2Could you walk me through the specific protocols in place to ensure medications are administered accurately and on time for each resident?
3When a resident uses their call light, what is the standard process for ensuring they receive assistance in a timely manner?
4Given the importance of clear communication, what is the best way for families to stay updated on their loved one's care and reach management when they have questions?
5How does your team work to maintain a professional and supportive atmosphere for residents during busy shifts?
6What kind of social activities or dining experiences do you offer to help residents feel connected and engaged with the community here?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“The staff are wonderful and very attentive to my papas needs especially the nurse Melissa Buchanan, she’s absolutely wonderful and very caring which puts me at ease knowing he’s being cared for.”

Family member · 2024★★★★★

“I really wish, however, that the faculty had a handbook for relatives of residents that specified policies and procedures, like how to contact staff with questions or concerns.”

Family member · 2025★★★★☆

“I had a family member stay at this facility and they had a truly terrible experience. They missed several meals and medications. I overheard the nurses disparaging my family member at the nurses station.”

Family member · 2026★★☆☆☆

Source: 172 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026

RN Hours

0.84hrs

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.35hrs

82%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

51%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

62%

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

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating

5/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

😔

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility15.3%

Worse than Avg

Here

15.3%

12.1%

8.5%

Pueblo

6.4%

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

💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility11.9%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

11.9%

19.5%

11.3%

Pueblo

11.2%

💉

Residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility91.1%

Worse than Avg

Here

91.1%

95.5%

94.7%

Pueblo

96.8%

🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility11.4%

Better than Avg

Here

11.4%

15.3%

14.4%

Pueblo

15.0%

💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility16.6%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

16.6%

15.5%

20.0%

Pueblo

20.3%

🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility21.9%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

21.9%

19.4%

21.7%

Pueblo

23.2%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility67.7%

Worse than Avg

Here

67.7%

79.8%

75.6%

Pueblo

82.8%

💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility76.2%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

76.2%

81.8%

76.3%

Pueblo

72.4%

💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility0.0%

Better than Avg

Here

0.0%

1.6%

1.5%

Pueblo

0.3%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

10deficiencies

2penalties

Above state avg (8.8)

5 complaint-triggered

$22,653 in fines

University Park Care Center has 43 deficiencies across six surveys, with families filing five complaint-triggered reports including serious allegations about abuse investigation failures and pain management. The facility shows persistent problems with medication management, fire safety systems, and abuse prevention protocols that recur across multiple surveys. While all deficiencies are marked as corrected, the pattern of repeated violations in critical care areas warrants careful consideration.

Nov 20, 2025Complaint1 finding

0610Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Jun 11, 2024Routine14 findings

0686Actual harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

0880Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0211Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.

0291Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.

0293Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Egress Deficiencies

Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.

0324Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

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.

0658Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

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

0881Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

0688Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

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.

0759Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

0760Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

0761Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Jun 11, 2024Complaint1 finding

0561Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.

Feb 21, 2024Complaint2 findings

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.

0697Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

Jan 8, 2024Complaint1 finding

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.

Feb 2, 2023Routine9 findings

0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

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.

0521Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Services Deficiencies

Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.

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.

0324Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

0363Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

0372Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

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

Federal Penalties

Fine

Jun 11, 2024

$22,653

Payment Denial

Jan 8, 2024

15-day denial

State Inspection History

State Inspections

Source: CO Dept. of Public Health & Environment

9total

1deficiencies

Jun 16, 2025ComplaintNo deficiencies

CleanReport