Cycle 1
Health 2025-11-25 · Fire 2025-11-25
7 health deficiencies
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (2 deficiencies)
2 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Emergency Preparedness (1 deficiency)
Fitchburg, MA
Highlands, The
4-star overall rating with 3-star inspections with 7 recent health deficiencies with 2 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA
(978) 343-4411
Overall
4 / 5
CMS overall stars
Health inspections
3 / 5
Survey and complaint cycles
Staffing
3 / 5
RN + nurse staffing
Quality measures
5 / 5
Resident outcomes and process measures
Quick facts
Facility snapshot
Beds
168
Certified beds
Average residents
155
Average occupied residents
Ownership
For-Profit
Publicly displayed owner type
Chain
Life Care Centers Of America
Operator or chain grouping
Approved since
1988-12-08
CMS approved date
Coverage
Medicare + Medicaid
Participation flags
Chain footprint
194 facilities
Chain averages 4 overall / 3 health / 3 staffing / 5 quality stars
Changed ownership
No
Within the last 12 months
Family council
Yes
Resident and family council reported
Sprinklers
Yes
Automatic sprinklers in all required areas
Staffing
Hours and turnover
RN hours / resident day
0.46
Registered nurse staffing · state 0.65 · national 0.68
LPN hours / resident day
1.07
Licensed practical nurse staffing · state 0.96 · national 0.87
Aide hours / resident day
2.48
Nurse aide staffing · state 2.26 · national 2.35
Total nurse hours
4.00
All reported nurse hours · state 3.86 · national 3.89
Licensed hours
1.53
RN + LPN hours · state 1.60 · national 1.54
Weekend hours
3.56
Weekend nurse staffing · state 3.45 · national 3.43
Weekend RN hours
0.26
Weekend registered nurse coverage · state 0.46 · national 0.47
Physical therapist
0.09
Reported PT staffing · state 0.08 · national 0.07
Adjusted RN hours
0.43
CMS adjusted RN staffing hours
Adjusted total hours
3.77
CMS adjusted total nurse staffing hours
Case-mix index
1.45
Higher values indicate more complex resident acuity
RN turnover
48%
Annual RN turnover · state 45% · national 45%
Total nurse turnover
31%
Annual nurse turnover · state 40% · national 46%
SNF VBP
Value-based purchasing
Program rank
10,666
Lower is better among SNFs in the FY 2026 VBP program.
Performance score
19.56
Composite VBP score used to determine payment impact.
Payment multiplier
0.9822
Above 1.000 increases Medicare payment; below 1.000 reduces it.
Program components
How the VBP score is built
Readmission
0
Baseline 22.19% · Performance 22.95% · Measure score 0 · Achievement 0 · Improvement 0
Healthcare-associated infections
0.45
Baseline 9.11% · Performance 8.71% · Measure score 0.45 · Achievement 0 · Improvement 0.45
Total nurse turnover
5.42
Baseline 36.36% · Performance 41.51% · Measure score 5.42 · Achievement 5.42 · Improvement 0
Adjusted total nurse staffing
1.95
Baseline 3.17 hours · Performance 3.63 hours · Measure score 1.95 · Achievement 1.95 · Improvement 1.28
SNF QRP
Medicare quality reporting measures
| Measure | Facility | National | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potentially preventable 30-day readmission | 9.73% |
10.72%
1 pts better
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 339 · Observed rate 9.44% · Lower 95% interval 7.57% |
| Discharge to community | 62.58% |
50.57%
12 pts better
|
Better than the National Rate · Eligible stays 340 · Observed rate 55% · Lower 95% interval 58.36% |
| Medicare spending per beneficiary | 1.04 |
1.02
About the same
|
|
| Drug regimen review with follow-up | 97.51% |
95.27%
2.2 pts better
|
Numerator 235 · Denominator 241 |
| Falls with major injury | 0% |
0.77%
0.8 pts better
|
Numerator 0 · Denominator 241 |
| Discharge self-care score | 75.14% |
53.69%
21.5 pts better
|
Numerator 130 · Denominator 173 |
| Discharge mobility score | 74.57% |
50.94%
23.6 pts better
|
Numerator 129 · Denominator 173 |
| Pressure ulcers or injuries, new or worsened | 4.15% |
2.29%
1.9 pts worse
|
Numerator 10 · Denominator 241 · Adjusted rate 4.16% |
| Healthcare-associated infections requiring hospitalization | 8.71% |
7.12%
1.6 pts worse
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 241 · Observed rate 9.54% · Lower 95% interval 6.3% |
| Staff COVID-19 vaccination coverage | 4.14% |
8.2%
4.1 pts worse
|
Numerator 11 · Denominator 266 |
| Staff flu vaccination coverage | 52.51% |
42%
10.5 pts better
|
Numerator 157 · Denominator 299 |
| Discharge function score | 81.5% |
56.45%
25 pts better
|
Numerator 141 · Denominator 173 |
| Transfer of health information to provider | 100% |
95.95%
4 pts better
|
Numerator 62 · Denominator 62 |
| Transfer of health information to patient | 99.26% |
96.28%
3 pts better
|
Numerator 135 · Denominator 136 |
| Resident COVID-19 vaccinations up to date | 6.25% |
25.2%
18.9 pts worse
|
Numerator 8 · Denominator 128 |
Quality measures
Resident outcomes and process scores
| Measure | Facility | State | National | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.4 |
1.9
0.5 pts better
|
1.9
0.5 pts better
|
Long Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 1.4 · Observed 1.6 · Expected 2.1 · Used in QM five-star |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.5 |
1.5
About the same
|
1.8
0.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 1.5 · Observed 1.6 · Expected 1.8 · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 59.5% |
92.2%
32.7 pts worse
|
93.4%
33.9 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 68.3% · Q2 59.4% · Q3 55.8% · Q4 54.7% · 4Q avg 59.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 92.0% |
94.8%
2.8 pts worse
|
95.5%
3.5 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q3-2025Q2 · 4Q avg 92.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 2.7% |
3.5%
0.8 pts better
|
3.3%
0.6 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.8% · Q3 2.3% · Q4 7.8% · 4Q avg 2.7% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 3.7% |
12.0%
8.3 pts better
|
11.4%
7.7 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 6.8% · Q2 3.4% · Q3 2.7% · Q4 1.7% · 4Q avg 3.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 10.6% |
5.2%
5.4 pts worse
|
5.4%
5.2 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 9.4% · Q2 12.2% · Q3 12.9% · Q4 7.6% · 4Q avg 10.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 23.0% |
19.2%
3.8 pts worse
|
19.6%
3.4 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 20.7% · Q2 22.8% · Q3 25.0% · Q4 23.2% · 4Q avg 23.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 15.0% |
22.5%
7.5 pts better
|
16.7%
1.7 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 11.9% · Q2 16.5% · Q3 14.6% · Q4 16.8% · 4Q avg 15.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% |
0.1%
0.1 pts better
|
0.1%
0.1 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.0% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 10.0% |
17.7%
7.7 pts better
|
16.3%
6.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 13.9% · Q2 8.0% · Q3 4.5% · Q4 13.1% · 4Q avg 10.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 7.9% |
17.6%
9.7 pts better
|
14.9%
7 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 5.5% · Q2 7.7% · Q3 4.9% · Q4 13.4% · 4Q avg 7.9% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.2% |
1.0%
0.8 pts better
|
1.0%
0.8 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.8% · Q2 0.0% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.2% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 0.0% |
2.0%
2 pts better
|
1.7%
1.7 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.0% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 28.9% |
21.7%
7.2 pts worse
|
19.8%
9.1 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 35.1% · Q2 21.1% · Q3 31.1% · Q4 28.4% · 4Q avg 28.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 4.4% |
4.6%
0.2 pts better
|
5.1%
0.7 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 2.7% · Q2 5.8% · Q3 5.4% · Q4 3.8% · 4Q avg 4.4% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 19.6% |
77.1%
57.5 pts worse
|
81.7%
62.1 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 25.2% · Q2 13.9% · Q3 15.7% · Q4 23.3% · 4Q avg 19.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 8.7% |
11.8%
3.1 pts better
|
12.0%
3.3 pts better
|
Short Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 8.7% · Observed 8.3% · Expected 10.6% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.3% |
1.3%
1 pts better
|
1.6%
1.3 pts better
|
Short Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.6% · Q3 0.6% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.3% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 50.4% |
77.7%
27.3 pts worse
|
79.7%
29.3 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 2024Q3-2025Q2 · 4Q avg 50.4% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 25.9% |
25.8%
0.1 pts worse
|
23.9%
2 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 25.9% · Observed 24.5% · Expected 22.5% · Used in QM five-star |
Survey summary
Recent inspection cycles
Cycle 2
Health 2024-07-23 · Fire 2024-07-23
6 health deficiencies
Top issue: Resident Assessment and Care Planning (3 deficiencies)
5 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Gas and Vacuum and Electrical Systems (2 deficiencies)
Cycle 3
Health 2023-03-20 · Fire 2023-03-20
5 health deficiencies
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (2 deficiencies)
4 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Emergency Preparedness (1 deficiency)
Fire safety
Fire-safety citations
F · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
K321 · Smoke Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Corrected 2026-01-12
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
E31 · Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
Corrected 2026-01-06
F · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
K347 · Smoke Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Corrected 2024-09-24
F · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
K914 · Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Corrected 2024-08-16
F · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
K918 · Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Corrected 2024-08-20
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
E41 · Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Corrected 2024-08-20
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
K712 · Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Corrected 2024-08-16
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
K712 · Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Corrected 2023-05-17
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
E41 · Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Corrected 2023-04-24
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
K341 · Smoke Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
Corrected 2023-05-16
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
K918 · Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Fire Safety
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Corrected 2023-04-24
Inspection history
Recent health citations
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F804 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Health
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Corrected 2025-12-19
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F880 · Infection Control Deficiencies
Health
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected 2025-12-19
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2025-12-19
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F676 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Corrected 2025-12-19
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F690 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
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 2025-12-19
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F773 · Administration Deficiencies
Health
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
Corrected 2025-12-19
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2025-11-25
F842 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2025-12-19
E · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
F658 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected 2024-08-16
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
F656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2024-08-16
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
F690 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
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 2024-08-16
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
F812 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Health
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected 2024-08-16
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2024-07-23
F883 · Infection Control Deficiencies
Health
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Corrected 2024-08-16
B · Minimal harm
2024-07-23
F641 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected 2024-08-16
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
F580 · Resident Rights Deficiencies
Health
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected 2023-04-03
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
F698 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected 2023-04-03
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
F700 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Health
Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
Corrected 2023-04-03
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-20
F812 · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Health
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected 2023-04-03
D · Potential for more than minimal harm
2023-03-09
F656 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2023-03-30
Penalties and ownership
What sits behind the stars
Ownership
Preston, Forrest
5% Or Greater Direct Ownership Interest · Individual
Bonilla, Carlos-Andres
W-2 Managing Employee · Individual
Cross, Cindy
Corporate Officer · Individual
Life Care Centers Of America, Inc.
Operational/Managerial Control · Organization
Thurmond, Joan
Corporate Officer · Individual
Nearby options
Other facilities in reach
#1
Fitchburg Healthcare
Fitchburg, MA
2-star overall rating with 2-star inspections with 15 recent health deficiencies with 3 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
#2
Fitchburg Rehabilitation And Nursing Center
Fitchburg, MA
1-star overall rating with 1-star inspections with $43,719 in total fines with 11 recent health deficiencies with 9 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
#3
Keystone Center
Leominster, MA
1-star overall rating with 2-star inspections with $33,476 in total fines with 7 recent health deficiencies with 1 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
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