Nursing HomeInspections

Salem Lutheran Home

Nursing home in Elk Horn, IA

Medicare & Medicaid certified1★ overall (CMS)

Call (712) 764-4201Send a messageMap ↗

Public-record details

Address
2027 College Avenue, Elk Horn, IA 51531
Phone
(712) 764-4201
Listed under
For-profit, No fines in 3 years
Medicare CCN
165155
Overall star rating
1 of 5 ★☆☆☆☆
Health inspection rating
1 of 5
Staffing rating
4 of 5
Quality measures rating
2 of 5
Certified beds
64
Average residents per day
48
Ownership
For-profit, corporation
Legal business name
American Lutheran Church
Chain
Good Samaritan Society (92 facilities)
Certified for
Medicare and Medicaid
First approved by Medicare/Medicaid
May 1, 1990
Changed ownership in last 12 months
No
Continuing care retirement community
No
Located inside a hospital
No
Resident or family council
Resident council
Sprinklers in all required areas
Yes

CMS certification number 165155. Source: CMS Nursing Home Provider Information, Health Deficiencies and Penalties (record). Data as of 2026-09-30.

Inspection record

Most recent standard health inspection: Jun 26, 2025. CMS lists 46 health citations for this facility across its last three standard inspection cycles and complaint inspections (Jun 6, 2023 to May 22, 2026): 16 from complaint inspections, 3 at the “actual harm” level or higher.

InspectionCitationSeverity
May 22, 2026Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Nursing and Physician Services · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Ensure 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…
Pharmacy Service · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
May 22, 2026Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Pharmacy Service · complaint inspection		G
Actual harm, isolated
Dec 15, 2025Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Oct 8, 2025Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Jun 26, 2025Honor 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.
Resident Rights		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Jun 26, 2025Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated

Showing the 12 most recent of 46. Full inspection reports are on Medicare Care Compare.

Severity letters follow CMS's scope-and-severity grid: A–C potential for minimal harm, D–F potential for more than minimal harm, G–I actual harm, J–L immediate jeopardy. Most citations are corrected; a citation is what inspectors found on that date. Source: CMS Health Deficiencies file, processed Aug 1, 2026.

Fines and payment denials

CMS records no fines or payment denials for this facility in the last three years.

Source: CMS Penalties file, processed Aug 1, 2026. Amounts are as CMS reports them and may reflect later reductions or appeals.

Staffing

Total nurse staffing per resident per day
3.86 hours
Registered nurse (RN) time per resident per day
0.64 hours
Nurse aide time per resident per day
2.58 hours
Total nurse staffing on weekends
3.17 hours
Nursing staff turnover (yearly)
63%
RN turnover (yearly)
80%

From payroll-based staffing data the facility submits to CMS. Hours are per resident per day.

A citation is what inspectors found on one date; most are corrected within weeks. Look for patterns — the same problem cited in several inspections — and for anything at the G–L level (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). The full inspection narrative (Form CMS-2567) is linked from Medicare Care Compare, and your state long-term care ombudsman can tell you about complaints.