Federal inspection record · CMS data as of October 1, 2026
Sweet Memorial Nursing Home
125 Airport Rd, Chinook, MT · (406) 357-2549
- Certified beds
- 42
- Residents per day
- 36
- Ownership
- Non-Profit
- Chain
- No chain reported
- Medicare / Medicaid
- Medicare + Medicaid
- Certified since
- September 1, 1989
1
How this home got 2 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.
-
Health inspections
★★★★★starting point
Everything starts from what state inspectors found on site. This is a ranking against other homes in Montana.
-
Staffing
★★★★★no change
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
Same rule: 5 stars adds one, 1 star takes one away. These measures are mostly reported by the home itself.
-
Overall
★★★★★2 of 5
Matches the rating CMS publishes on Care Compare.
2
Where it sits among Montana homes
Sweet Memorial Nursing Home carries 101 inspection points. That is fewer than 27% of Montana's 59 rated homes.
Inspectors' citations earn points by how serious and how widespread they were (the grid below). CMS then ranks every home in Montana: 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★ 0–31.5 pts
- 4★ 31.5–49.25 pts
- 3★ 49.25–84.75 pts
- 2★ 84.75–135.38 pts
- 1★ over 135.38 pts
Bars show every rated home in Montana 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
44 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)
-
G
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Everything else, by area of care
Resident Assessment and Care Planning10E
- E
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- D
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
- E
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
- E
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
- D
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
- D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- E
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
- E
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- E
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
- D
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation9E
- D
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
- D
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
- E
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
- E
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
- E
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
- E
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
- D
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
- E
Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
- E
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Quality of Life and Care9E
- D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- D
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
- D
Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
- D
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
- D
Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
- D
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- D
Provide appropriate foot care.
- E
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- D
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Infection Control5F
- E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- D
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
- F
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Pharmacy Service5E
- D
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
- E
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
- E
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
- D
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.
- D
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.
Administration2E
- D
Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
- E
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Nursing and Physician Services1E
- E
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Nutrition and Dietary1D
- D
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Resident Rights1D
- D
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspection history
2026-01-29
13 health deficiencies · 4 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Quality of Life and Care (5 deficiencies)
2024-12-05
19 health deficiencies · 6 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Freedom from Abuse and Neglect and Exploitation (5 deficiencies)
2023-12-06
12 health deficiencies · 6 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Resident Assessment and Care Planning (4 deficiencies)
4
Nursing time per resident, per day
Each resident here gets about 3 h 38 min of nursing staff time a day, 47 min of it from a registered nurse.
This home
3 h 38 min
Montana average
4 h 1 min
U.S. average
3 h 54 min
- Registered nurse
- Licensed practical nurse
- Nurse aide
Turnover: 61% of nursing staff and 67% of registered nurses left in the past year.
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
$28,243 in federal fines on record over the past three years.
| Date | Penalty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-02-05 | Fine | $28,243 |
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. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days0.5 pts better | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident daysAbout the same | 2.1 | 2.1 | 1.7 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine4.4 pts worse | 92.3% | 96.7% | 93.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine6 pts better | 100.0% | 94.0% | 95.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury6.1 pts worse | 10.5% | 4.4% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms0.5 pts better | 5.8% | 6.3% | 13.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight4.9 pts worse | 11.3% | 6.4% | 5.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication17 pts worse | 32.4% | 15.4% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication5.1 pts better | 15.6% | 20.7% | 15.4% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained2.9 pts worse | 3.5% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened5.2 pts better | 10.9% | 16.1% | 12.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased7.3 pts better | 11.2% | 18.5% | 13.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder0.4 pts worse | 2.4% | 2.0% | 0.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection1.2 pts worse | 4.2% | 3.0% | 1.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence9.9 pts worse | 32.0% | 22.1% | 18.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers1.8 pts better | 4.4% | 6.2% | 4.5% |
·
Who owns and runs it
10 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friede, Danny | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Kleinjan, Arthur | Managing Control - Governing Body · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Kleinjan, Arthur | Corporate Officer · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Nesslar, Heather | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Nesslar, Heather | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Overcast, Denny | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Robertson, Carley | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Robertson, Carley | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Shackelford, Rebecca | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Shackelford, Rebecca | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
·
Fire safety
16 life-safety citations (sprinklers, exits, alarms). These don't count toward the star rating.
Smoke6F
- F
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- D
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- D
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems5F
- F
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F
Have power receptacles that are properly grounded.
- D
Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
- F
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- D
Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
Egress5F
- D
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.
- F
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- E
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.
- D
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
- E
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
·
Other homes nearby
-
Northern Montana Care Center
Havre, MT
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- E
- Nursing / resident / day
- 4 h 33 min
- Fines
- $0
-
Montana Mental Health Nursing Home
Lewistown, MT
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- G
- Nursing / resident / day
- 7 h 50 min
- Fines
- $0
-
Valle Vista Rehabilitation And Nursing LLC
Lewistown, MT · The Charly Bello Family, The Maze Family, The Swain Family, & Walter Myers
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- G
- Nursing / resident / day
- 3 h 8 min
- Fines
- $19,071