Federal inspection record · CMS data as of October 1, 2026
Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare
1201 17th Street Ne, Austin, MN · (507) 434-8537
- CMS high-performer trophy
- Certified beds
- 45
- Residents per day
- 44
- Ownership
- Non-Profit
- Chain
- Good Samaritan Society
- Medicare / Medicaid
- Medicare + Medicaid
- Certified since
- June 1, 1986
1
How this home got 5 stars
The overall rating isn't an average. CMS starts from the inspection rating and nudges it at most two steps. Here is the arithmetic for this home, using CMS's own rules.
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Health inspections
★★★★★starting point
Everything starts from what state inspectors found on site. This is a ranking against other homes in Minnesota.
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Staffing
★★★★★+1 star
Only a 5-star staffing rating adds a star, and only a 1-star rating removes one. Ratings of 2 to 4 change nothing.
-
Quality measures
★★★★★no change (already 5)
Same rule: 5 stars adds one, 1 star takes one away. These measures are mostly reported by the home itself.
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Overall
★★★★★5 of 5
Matches the rating CMS publishes on Care Compare.
2
Where it sits among Minnesota homes
Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare carries 10 inspection points. That is fewer than 86% of Minnesota's 335 rated homes.
Inspectors' citations earn points by how serious and how widespread they were (the grid below). CMS then ranks every home in Minnesota: the 10% with the fewest points get 5 stars, the 20% with the most get 1 star, and the middle 70% split evenly into 2, 3 and 4.
- 5★ 0–9 pts
- 4★ 9–30 pts
- 3★ 30–54 pts
- 2★ 54–92 pts
- 1★ over 92 pts
Bars show every rated home in Minnesota by its weighted inspection score. CMS recalibrates the cut points monthly but holds a home's rating until its own score changes, so a home can sit just outside today's band.
3
What inspectors found
14 health citations on record since 2023. Each one gets a letter: the row says how badly residents were affected, the column how many.
Immediate jeopardyResidents at risk of serious injury or death
Actual harmA resident was hurt
Potential for harmNo one was hurt, but could have been
Minimal harmPaperwork-level problems
Read the rows, not the total. Most citations nationwide are a D: one problem, nobody hurt. Rows G–I mean a resident was harmed; J–L mean inspectors found residents in immediate danger of serious injury or death.
Small numbers in each cell are the inspection points CMS assigns per citation. Those points are what the state curve above ranks.
Harm and immediate-jeopardy citations (1)
-
J
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.
Everything else, by area of care
Quality of Life and Care3D
- D
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Rights3D
- D
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
- D
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
- D
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.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning3D
- D
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
- D
Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
- D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Infection Control2D
- D
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- D
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Nutrition and Dietary1E
- E
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Nursing and Physician Services1C
- C
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Inspection history
2026-01-29
0 health deficiencies · 6 fire-safety deficiencies
No concentrated health issue counts in this cycle.
2024-11-07
6 health deficiencies · 4 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (2 deficiencies)
2023-12-28
8 health deficiencies · 7 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Resident Assessment and Care Planning (3 deficiencies)
4
Nursing time per resident, per day
Each resident here gets about 4 h 8 min of nursing staff time a day, 54 min of it from a registered nurse.
This home
4 h 8 min
Minnesota average
4 h 16 min
U.S. average
3 h 54 min
- Registered nurse
- Licensed practical nurse
- Nurse aide
Turnover: 28% of nursing staff and 18% of registered nurses left in the past year, along with 1 administrator.
Reported hours from payroll data the home submits to CMS, divided by its daily resident count. Not adjusted for how sick residents are.
5
Fines and payment denials
$21,645 in federal fines on record over the past three years.
| Date | Penalty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-03-06 | Fine | $21,645 |
6
Resident outcomes
Quality measures compared with state and national averages. Most come from assessments the home itself reports.
| Measure | This home | State | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine1.8 pts better | 99.1% | 97.3% | 93.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine3.6 pts better | 100.0% | 96.4% | 95.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury0.4 pts worse | 4.5% | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms4.1 pts better | 0.0% | 4.1% | 13.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight3.9 pts better | 0.0% | 3.9% | 5.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication2.6 pts better | 10.1% | 12.7% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication6.9 pts better | 10.3% | 17.2% | 15.4% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained0.1 pts better | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened11.3 pts worse | 30.1% | 18.8% | 12.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased2.3 pts worse | 20.5% | 18.2% | 13.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder1.7 pts better | 0.0% | 1.7% | 0.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection2.6 pts better | 0.0% | 2.6% | 1.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence3 pts worse | 26.7% | 23.7% | 18.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers1.1 pts worse | 6.2% | 5.1% | 4.5% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine9.6 pts better | 97.7% | 88.1% | 82.3% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit4.8 pts better | 9.8% | 14.6% | 11.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication1.2 pts better | 0.7% | 1.9% | 1.5% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine9.1 pts better | 92.4% | 83.3% | 80.1% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission8.6 pts better | 14.4% | 23.0% | 23.4% |
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Who owns and runs it
55 owners and managers reported to CMS. The last column counts how many nursing homes each one is tied to.
Show ownership list
| Name | Role | Share | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | 5% Or Greater Direct Ownership Interest · Organization | 100% | 89 facilities |
| The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Organization | 100% | 87 facilities |
| Brown, George | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 72 facilities |
| Brown, George | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 72 facilities |
| Dtn Staffing Inc | Adp Of The SNF · Organization | 0% | 51 facilities |
| Dykhouse, Dana | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 85 facilities |
| Dykhouse, Dana | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 85 facilities |
| Engbrecht, Wesley | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Engbrecht, Wesley | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Fluit, Joel | Corporate Officer · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Fluit, Joel | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Focusone Solutions | Adp Of The SNF · Organization | 0% | 50 facilities |
| Gassen, William | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Gassen, William | Corporate Officer · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Gassen, William | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Grape Tree Medical Staffing LLC | Adp Of The SNF · Organization | 0% | 64 facilities |
| Gulsvig, Neil | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Gulsvig, Neil | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 86 facilities |
| Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 86 facilities |
| Jensen, Reece | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Jensen, Reece | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Lundeen, Mark | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Lundeen, Mark | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Mccausland, Maureen | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 69 facilities |
| Mccausland, Maureen | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 69 facilities |
| Middleton, Aimee | Corporate Officer · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Middleton, Aimee | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Mittal, Vikas | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 5 facilities |
| Mittal, Vikas | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 5 facilities |
| Molbert, Lauris | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Molbert, Lauris | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Morrison, Tony | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Morrison, Tony | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| North, Andrew | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| North, Andrew | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Olson, Nicholas | Corporate Officer · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Olson, Nicholas | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Sandgren, Deeandra | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 50 facilities |
| Sandgren, Deeandra | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 50 facilities |
| Sanford | Adp Of The SNF · Organization | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Schema, Nathan | Corporate Officer · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Schema, Nathan | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Schieffer, Kevin | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 69 facilities |
| Schieffer, Kevin | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 69 facilities |
| Shulkin, David | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 85 facilities |
| Shulkin, David | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 85 facilities |
| Teiken, Brent | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| Teiken, Brent | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 89 facilities |
| The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society | Adp Of The SNF · Organization | 0% | 87 facilities |
| Thrifty Drug Stores Inc | Adp Of The SNF · Organization | 0% | 6 facilities |
| Ventling-Herrmann, Marnie | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 90 facilities |
| Ventling-Herrmann, Marnie | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 90 facilities |
| Wenzel, Thomas | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 69 facilities |
| Wenzel, Thomas | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 69 facilities |
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Fire safety
17 life-safety citations (sprinklers, exits, alarms). These don't count toward the star rating.
Smoke6F
- F
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- F
Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- C
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- F
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- D
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems5F
- F
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F
Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.
- F
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- F
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- E
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Miscellaneous3F
- F
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- F
Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations.
- C
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Egress2F
- F
Have exits that are accessible at all times.
- F
Have exits that are accessible at all times.
Emergency Preparedness1C
- C
Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.
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Other homes nearby
-
St Marks Living
Austin, MN
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- J
- Nursing / resident / day
- 4 h 58 min
- Fines
- $127,000
-
Sacred Heart Care Center
Austin, MN
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- F
- Nursing / resident / day
- 5 h 34 min
- Fines
- $0
-
Prairie Manor Care Center
Blooming Prairie, MN
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- J
- Nursing / resident / day
- 4 h 34 min
- Fines
- $43,300