Waters of Wakarusa Skilled Nursing Facility, the
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
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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 (2/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (11 vs median 6)
- High staff turnover (62%)
Below average in IN · Below recommended RN staffing · $14,661 in fines
What this means for your family
This facility has areas of concern that warrant careful consideration. Registered Nurse hours are only 99% of the national benchmark, which can affect medication management and response times. The facility has 12 deficiencies, which is above the state average. 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.
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
12
measures
4
measures
1
measures
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents on antipsychotic medication
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 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
This facility shows concerning patterns with 11 complaint-triggered deficiencies indicating families filed reports about problems. The most recurring issues involve fire safety systems (sprinklers, alarms, emergency equipment), dietary services, and resident care planning. While all violations show correction dates, the facility has repeated problems across multiple surveys with fire safety equipment maintenance and emergency preparedness, suggesting ongoing operational challenges that families should investigate during visits.
Mar 16, 2026Complaint2
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 treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Mar 14, 2025Routine23
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
Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Services Deficiencies
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
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.
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.
Administration Deficiencies
Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents.
Mar 14, 2025Complaint2
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
Provide appropriate colostomy, urostomy, or ileostomy care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Jan 8, 2025Complaint7
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Prepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home.
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
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.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Apr 3, 2024Routine12
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Construction Deficiencies
Meet requirements for sections of health care facilities separated by fire resistive construction.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper fire barriers, ventilation and signs for the transfilling of oxygen.
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.
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
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Feb 21, 2024Complaint1
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Jan 8, 2025
$14,661
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Waters of Wakarusa Skilled Nursing Facility, the
for profit
Chain Affiliation
Infinity Healthcare Consulting
70 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 2.2/5 · Rank 30 of 69
Ownership & Management
Owners
Johnson Memorial Hospital
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
Read reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit watersofwakarusaalf.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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