Birchwood Health Care Center
604 1st Street Ne · Forest Lake, MN · 55025 · 6514645600
100 certified beds Non profit - Corporation Chain: Lifespark
Why this verdict
- Inspectors found immediate jeopardy — danger of serious harm or death — in the most recent cycle (1 citation).
- Federal penalties on record: $15,940 in fines in the last 24 months.
- Staffing hours comfortably above national benchmarks.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
1 immediate-jeopardy citation in the most recent inspection cycle
Immediate jeopardy is the most serious finding an inspector can make: a situation likely to cause serious injury, harm, or death.
1 abuse-related citation at the actual-harm level
Inspectors cited failures in the abuse-prevention rules (F600–F610) that resulted in actual harm to a resident.
If someone you love was harmed at a facility with findings like these, you have options — read this.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 2 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 4 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 4.06 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.77 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.79 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 38% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 3 · $54,277 |
Inspection citations (35 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D December 19, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected January 23, 2026 · Infection Control
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Immediate jeopardy · J November 13, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected November 9, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D November 13, 2025 · found via complaint
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected January 9, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D April 10, 2025
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected May 27, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D April 10, 2025
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Corrected May 27, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D April 10, 2025
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.
Corrected May 27, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D April 10, 2025
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Corrected May 27, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D April 10, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected May 27, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · G February 9, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · F February 9, 2024
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · F February 9, 2024
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · F February 9, 2024
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · F February 9, 2024
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D February 9, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · E February 9, 2024
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Infection Control
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No harm found · C February 9, 2024
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Corrected March 11, 2024 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Actual harm · G January 10, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected February 3, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 10, 2024 · found via complaint
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Corrected February 3, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D January 10, 2024 · found via complaint
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected February 3, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| November 13, 2025 | Fine | $15,940 |
| February 9, 2024 | Fine | $29,234 |
| January 4, 2024 | Fine | $9,103 |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 245200 · certified since December 1, 1974. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.