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Complaint Investigation

Salem Lutheran Home

May 22, 2026 · Elk Horn, IA · 2027 College Avenue
Citations 8
CMS Rating 1/5
Beds 64
Provider ID 165155
Healthcare Facility
Salem Lutheran Home
Elk Horn, IA  ·  View full profile →
Inspection Summary

Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA — inspection on May 22, 2026.

Found 8 citations. Severity: Standard violations.

Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct within required timeframes. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns and are subject to follow-up verification.

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Inspection Findings

FF0550
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Potential for More Than Minimal Harm

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0550 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0580 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0609 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0610 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

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Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0725 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0760 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Scope/Severity Level G: isolated, actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy.

Actual harm to residents was documented as a result of this deficiency.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0761 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: 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.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Federal health inspectors cited Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA for a deficiency under regulatory tag F-F0842 during a complaint investigation conducted on 2026-05-22.

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

The facility was found deficient in the following area: Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Scope/Severity Level D: isolated, no actual harm with potential for more than minimal harm.

While no actual harm was documented, there was potential for more than minimal harm to residents.

This was one of 8 deficiencies cited during this inspection of Salem Lutheran Home.

Correction Status: Deficient, Provider has plan of correction.

The facility reported correction as of 2026-06-05.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an F-tag violation?
F-tags are federal deficiency codes used by CMS to categorize nursing home violations. Each F-tag corresponds to a specific federal regulation (42 CFR Part 483). For example, F607 relates to abuse prevention policies, F880 relates to infection control.
Were these violations corrected?
Facilities must submit plans of correction and implement changes within required timeframes. CMS conducts follow-up inspections to verify corrections. Check the inspection report for specific correction dates and follow-up verification status.
How often do nursing home inspections happen?
CMS conducts unannounced inspections of all Medicare/Medicaid-certified nursing homes at least once per year. Additional inspections may occur based on complaints, facility-reported incidents, or follow-up to verify previous violations were corrected.
What should families do about these violations?
Families should: (1) Review the full inspection report for details, (2) Ask facility administration about specific corrective actions taken, (3) Check if this represents a pattern by reviewing prior inspections, (4) Compare with other facilities in Elk Horn, IA, (5) Report new concerns to state authorities.
Where can I see the full inspection report?
Complete inspection reports are available on Medicare.gov's Care Compare website (www.medicare.gov/care-compare). You can also request copies directly from Salem Lutheran Home or from the state Department of Health. Reports include deficiency codes, facility responses, and correction timelines.


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