INTERNATIONAL FALLS, MN — Federal health inspectors found Good Samaritan Society - International Falls failed to maintain an adequate infection prevention and control program during a standard health inspection completed January 14, 2026. The facility, one of many operated under the national Good Samaritan Society network, was cited for three total deficiencies during the survey — and has not submitted a plan of correction for any of them.
Infection Prevention Program Found Lacking
The most notable citation involved regulatory tag F0880, which requires nursing homes to provide and implement a comprehensive infection prevention and control program. Inspectors determined the facility's program did not meet federal standards, documenting the violation at a Scope/Severity Level D — meaning the deficiency was isolated in nature and did not result in documented actual harm, but carried the potential for more than minimal harm to residents.
Infection control programs in long-term care settings are foundational to resident safety. These programs are designed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases, reduce healthcare-associated infections, and establish protocols for hand hygiene, equipment sterilization, isolation procedures, and outbreak response. When these programs fall short, residents face elevated risk of contracting infections that can escalate quickly in elderly and immunocompromised populations.
Respiratory infections, urinary tract infections, and skin infections are among the most common healthcare-associated infections in nursing homes. For older adults — particularly those with chronic conditions or reduced immune function — even a routine infection can lead to hospitalization, sepsis, or death. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has estimated that 1 to 3 million serious infections occur every year in long-term care facilities across the United States.
No Correction Plan on File
Perhaps more concerning than the citations themselves is the facility's response — or lack thereof. As of the most recent federal records, Good Samaritan Society - International Falls has not submitted a plan of correction for the deficiencies identified during the January inspection. Federal regulations require facilities to submit a written plan describing how they will address each cited deficiency, including specific timelines for implementation.
The absence of a correction plan means there is no documented commitment from the facility to resolve the identified gaps in its infection control program. Under the federal survey process administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), facilities that fail to submit timely correction plans or demonstrate compliance may face escalating enforcement actions, including civil monetary penalties, denial of payment for new admissions, or termination from the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Three Deficiencies in a Single Survey
The infection control citation was one of three deficiencies documented during the January 2026 inspection. While the full details of all three citations provide a broader picture of the facility's compliance status, the infection control finding stands out because of its direct connection to resident health outcomes and the well-documented risks of infection spread in congregate living environments.
Standard infection prevention protocols in nursing homes should include regular staff training, surveillance systems for tracking infections among residents, antibiotic stewardship programs, and clearly documented procedures for responding to outbreaks. Facilities are also expected to designate an infection preventionist — a trained individual responsible for overseeing the program and ensuring compliance with both federal and state requirements.
What Families Should Know
Families with loved ones at Good Samaritan Society - International Falls may wish to review the full inspection report, which is available through the CMS Care Compare database. Key questions to ask facility administrators include whether the infection control program has been updated since the January inspection, whether staff have received additional training, and what specific steps are being taken to address all three cited deficiencies.
International Falls, located in Koochiching County along Minnesota's northern border, is a community where long-term care options are limited. That reality makes compliance and accountability at existing facilities all the more important for residents and their families.
The full inspection report, including details on all three deficiencies cited during the January 2026 survey, is available on the [facility's inspection detail page](/facility/good-samaritan-society-international-falls-245437).
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Good Samaritan Society - International Falls from 2026-01-14 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.