Northwood Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center
1010 Varnum Avenue · Lowell, MA · 01854 · 9784588773
123 certified beds For profit - Partnership Chain: Athena Healthcare Systems
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Federal penalties on record: $85,178 in fines in the last 24 months.
- 3 citations involved actual harm to residents.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
Red flags
Cited under the freedom-from-abuse rule
Cited 1 time under F600 (freedom from abuse/neglect) below the actual-harm level — worth asking about on a tour.
$85,178 in federal fines in the last 24 months
1 fine — CMS fines are reserved for verified, serious non-compliance.
Total nurse staffing below 3.0 hours per resident-day
2.89 reported hours vs the 3.48 minimum CMS's own staffing study recommends.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 3 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 2.89 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.40 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 2.81 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 26% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 2 · $165,780 |
Inspection citations (55 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · E August 15, 2025
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E August 15, 2025
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected September 12, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
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.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Help the resident make transportation arrangements to and from radiology services.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D August 15, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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No harm found · B August 15, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected September 11, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Actual harm · G August 29, 2024
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected September 27, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · G August 29, 2024
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected September 27, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 29, 2024
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected September 27, 2024 · Resident Rights
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| August 29, 2024 | Fine | $85,178 |
| August 10, 2023 | Fine | $80,602 |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
No approved reviews yet. If your family has experience with this facility, yours could be the review that helps the next family decide.
Sign in to share your family's experience — reviews are moderated and never affect the Safety Score.
Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 225298 · certified since February 17, 1987. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.