22 health deficiencies
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (9 deficiencies)
14 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Smoke (5 deficiencies)
Lowell, MA
1-star overall rating with 1-star inspections with $165,780 in total fines with 22 recent health deficiencies with 14 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
1010 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA
(978) 458-8773
Overall
1 / 5
CMS overall stars
Health inspections
1 / 5
Survey and complaint cycles
Staffing
2 / 5
RN + nurse staffing
Quality measures
3 / 5
Resident outcomes and process measures
Quick facts
Beds
123
Certified beds
Average residents
117
Average occupied residents
Ownership
For-Profit
Publicly displayed owner type
Chain
Athena Healthcare Systems
Operator or chain grouping
Approved since
1987-02-17
CMS approved date
Coverage
Medicare + Medicaid
Participation flags
Chain footprint
24 facilities
Chain averages 2 overall / 2 health / 3 staffing / 3 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
RN hours / resident day
0.47
Registered nurse staffing · state 0.65 · national 0.68
LPN hours / resident day
0.68
Licensed practical nurse staffing · state 0.96 · national 0.87
Aide hours / resident day
1.89
Nurse aide staffing · state 2.26 · national 2.35
Total nurse hours
3.05
All reported nurse hours · state 3.86 · national 3.89
Licensed hours
1.15
RN + LPN hours · state 1.60 · national 1.54
Weekend hours
2.83
Weekend nurse staffing · state 3.45 · national 3.43
Weekend RN hours
0.31
Weekend registered nurse coverage · state 0.46 · national 0.47
Physical therapist
0.04
Reported PT staffing · state 0.08 · national 0.07
Adjusted RN hours
0.48
CMS adjusted RN staffing hours
Adjusted total hours
3.06
CMS adjusted total nurse staffing hours
Case-mix index
1.36
Higher values indicate more complex resident acuity
RN turnover
44%
Annual RN turnover · state 45% · national 45%
Total nurse turnover
27%
Annual nurse turnover · state 40% · national 46%
SNF VBP
Program rank
5,528
Lower is better among SNFs in the FY 2026 VBP program.
Performance score
35.89
Composite VBP score used to determine payment impact.
Payment multiplier
0.9894
Above 1.000 increases Medicare payment; below 1.000 reduces it.
Program components
Readmission
0.19
Baseline 21.78% · Performance 21.45% · Measure score 0.19 · Achievement 0 · Improvement 0.19
Healthcare-associated infections
6.39
Baseline 7.08% · Performance 5.92% · Measure score 6.39 · Achievement 6.39 · Improvement 5.04
Total nurse turnover
7.77
Baseline 40.22% · Performance 31.91% · Measure score 7.77 · Achievement 7.77 · Improvement 4.90
Adjusted total nurse staffing
0
Baseline 3.53 hours · Performance 3.05 hours · Measure score 0 · Achievement 0 · Improvement 0
SNF QRP
| Measure | Facility | National | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Potentially preventable 30-day readmission | 11.03% |
10.72%
0.3 pts worse
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 109 · Observed rate 14.68% · Lower 95% interval 8.09% |
| Discharge to community | 48.13% |
50.57%
2.4 pts worse
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 104 · Observed rate 38.46% · Lower 95% interval 38.92% |
| Medicare spending per beneficiary | 1.12 |
1.02
0.1 pts worse
|
|
| Drug regimen review with follow-up | 100% |
95.27%
4.7 pts better
|
Numerator 66 · Denominator 66 |
| Falls with major injury | 1.52% |
0.77%
0.8 pts worse
|
Numerator 1 · Denominator 66 |
| Discharge self-care score | 50% |
53.69%
3.7 pts worse
|
Numerator 25 · Denominator 50 |
| Discharge mobility score | 62% |
50.94%
11.1 pts better
|
Numerator 31 · Denominator 50 |
| Pressure ulcers or injuries, new or worsened | 0% |
2.29%
2.3 pts better
|
Numerator 0 · Denominator 66 · Adjusted rate 0% |
| Healthcare-associated infections requiring hospitalization | 5.92% |
7.12%
1.2 pts better
|
No Different than the National Rate · Eligible stays 75 · Observed rate 4% · Lower 95% interval 3.55% |
| Staff COVID-19 vaccination coverage | 7.41% |
8.2%
0.8 pts worse
|
Numerator 12 · Denominator 162 |
| Staff flu vaccination coverage | 35.19% |
42%
6.8 pts worse
|
Numerator 57 · Denominator 162 |
| Discharge function score | 54% |
56.45%
2.5 pts worse
|
Numerator 27 · Denominator 50 |
| Transfer of health information to provider | 100% |
95.95%
4 pts better
|
Numerator 20 · Denominator 20 |
| Transfer of health information to patient | 100% |
96.28%
3.7 pts better
|
Numerator 25 · Denominator 25 |
| Resident COVID-19 vaccinations up to date | 25% |
25.2%
0.2 pts worse
|
Numerator 9 · Denominator 36 |
Quality measures
| Measure | Facility | State | National | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.1 |
1.9
0.2 pts worse
|
1.9
0.2 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 2.1 · Observed 1.7 · Expected 1.6 · Used in QM five-star |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.4 |
1.5
0.9 pts worse
|
1.8
0.6 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 2.4 · Observed 2.3 · Expected 1.6 · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 75.9% |
92.2%
16.3 pts worse
|
93.4%
17.5 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 74.3% · Q2 74.3% · Q3 72.5% · Q4 82.3% · 4Q avg 75.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 91.9% |
94.8%
2.9 pts worse
|
95.5%
3.6 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q3-2025Q2 · 4Q avg 91.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 3.0% |
3.5%
0.5 pts better
|
3.3%
0.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 5.0% · Q2 2.8% · Q3 1.8% · Q4 2.7% · 4Q avg 3.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 0.8% |
12.0%
11.2 pts better
|
11.4%
10.6 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 1.1% · Q2 1.1% · Q3 1.1% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 0.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 2.5% |
5.2%
2.7 pts better
|
5.4%
2.9 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 6.6% · Q2 1.0% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 2.9% · 4Q avg 2.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 32.8% |
19.2%
13.6 pts worse
|
19.6%
13.2 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 26.6% · Q2 29.8% · Q3 35.9% · Q4 38.1% · 4Q avg 32.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 38.0% |
22.5%
15.5 pts worse
|
16.7%
21.3 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 33.3% · Q2 37.9% · Q3 37.3% · Q4 42.9% · 4Q avg 38.0% · 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 | 14.2% |
17.7%
3.5 pts better
|
16.3%
2.1 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 21.0% · Q2 8.7% · Q3 15.1% · Q4 12.4% · 4Q avg 14.2% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 13.6% |
17.6%
4 pts better
|
14.9%
1.3 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 20.7% · Q2 12.6% · Q3 13.8% · Q4 8.2% · 4Q avg 13.6% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 1.6% |
1.0%
0.6 pts worse
|
1.0%
0.6 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 2.1% · Q2 1.9% · Q3 0.8% · Q4 1.6% · 4Q avg 1.6% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.0% |
2.0%
1 pts better
|
1.7%
0.7 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 0.0% · Q2 0.0% · Q3 0.9% · Q4 2.7% · 4Q avg 1.0% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 25.0% |
21.7%
3.3 pts worse
|
19.8%
5.2 pts worse
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 24.5% · Q2 29.5% · Q3 24.4% · Q4 22.0% · 4Q avg 25.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 1.6% |
4.6%
3 pts better
|
5.1%
3.5 pts better
|
Long Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 2.5% · Q2 3.4% · Q3 0.7% · Q4 0.0% · 4Q avg 1.6% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 51.6% |
77.1%
25.5 pts worse
|
81.7%
30.1 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 63.2% · Q2 48.8% · Q3 44.3% · Q4 41.8% · 4Q avg 51.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 9.1% |
11.8%
2.7 pts better
|
12.0%
2.9 pts better
|
Short Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 9.1% · Observed 10.9% · Expected 13.3% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 3.3% |
1.3%
2 pts worse
|
1.6%
1.7 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 2024Q4-2025Q3 · Q1 3.9% · Q2 2.5% · Q3 0.0% · Q4 5.9% · 4Q avg 3.3% · Used in QM five-star |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 25.0% |
77.7%
52.7 pts worse
|
79.7%
54.7 pts worse
|
Short Stay · 2024Q3-2025Q2 · 4Q avg 25.0% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 18.4% |
25.8%
7.4 pts better
|
23.9%
5.5 pts better
|
Short Stay · 20240701-20250630 · Adjusted 18.4% · Observed 20.0% · Expected 25.9% · Used in QM five-star |
Survey summary
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (9 deficiencies)
14 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Smoke (5 deficiencies)
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (8 deficiencies)
6 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Emergency Preparedness (2 deficiencies)
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (6 deficiencies)
4 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Smoke (2 deficiencies)
Fire safety
Fire Safety
Establish staff and initial training requirements.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Corrected 2026-01-30
Fire Safety
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Corrected 2026-01-23
Fire Safety
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Corrected 2026-02-04
Fire Safety
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
Corrected 2025-10-05
Fire Safety
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Corrected 2024-10-07
Fire Safety
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Corrected 2024-10-07
Fire Safety
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Corrected 2024-10-07
Fire Safety
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Corrected 2024-10-07
Fire Safety
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Corrected 2024-10-07
Fire Safety
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Corrected 2024-10-07
Fire Safety
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Corrected 2023-09-07
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 2023-09-07
Fire Safety
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Corrected 2023-09-07
Fire Safety
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Corrected 2023-09-07
Inspection history
Health
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected 2025-09-11
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 2025-09-11
Health
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected 2025-09-12
Health
Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
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 2025-09-11
Health
Help the resident make transportation arrangements to and from radiology services.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected 2025-09-11
Health
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
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.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2024-10-04
Health
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Corrected 2024-10-04
Health
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 2024-10-04
Health
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected 2024-09-27
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2024-06-28
Health
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected 2023-09-19
Health
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Health
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected 2023-09-08
Penalties and ownership
Fine · fine $85,178
Fine
Fine · fine $80,602
Fine
5% Or Greater Direct Ownership Interest · Organization
5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual
5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual
5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual
Operational/Managerial Control · Organization
5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual
W-2 Managing Employee · Individual
5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual
Corporate Officer · Individual
Nearby options
Lowell, MA
2-star overall rating with 2-star inspections with $10,517 in total fines with 13 recent health deficiencies with 8 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
Lowell, MA
5-star overall rating with 5-star inspections with 7 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
Lowell, MA
2-star overall rating with 2-star inspections with $15,030 in total fines with 13 recent health deficiencies with 23 fire-safety deficiencies in the latest cycle
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