Quick answers
- Where is Brookestone Gardens?
- 2615 West 11th Street, Kearney, NE 68845, in Buffalo County, Nebraska.
- What is the phone number of Brookestone Gardens?
- (308) 236-0211, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Brookestone Gardens?
- Medicare overall rating: 5 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Brookestone Gardens been fined?
- Medicare lists no fines for Brookestone Gardens.
- What did inspectors find at Brookestone Gardens?
- In its last three inspection cycles (October 17, 2023 to December 16, 2025), Medicare lists 9 health citations; the most serious was level F. See the list below (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
Medicare ratings, explained
Star ratings are one piece of information. Visit, ask questions and talk with your doctor about what matters for your care.
Inspections, fines and staffing
In its last three inspection cycles (October 17, 2023 to December 16, 2025), Brookestone Gardens had 9 health citations; the most serious was level F (no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm). Medicare lists no fines or payment denials for it in the last three years. Nurse staffing is 4.74 hours per resident per day; the Nebraska average is 4.12 and the national average is 3.90.
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Data Catalog, data updated October 1, 2026, retrieved November 13, 2026.
Inspection history: last three cycles
State inspectors visit about once a year and also investigate complaints. Each citation (deficiency) has a tag number and a letter, A to L. The letter shows how serious the problem was and how many residents it affected.
What the letters A to L mean
| Seriousness | Isolated (a few residents) | Pattern (some) | Widespread (many) |
|---|---|---|---|
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A | B | C |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | D | E | F |
| Actual harm to residents | G | H | I |
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J | K | L |
Source: the scope and severity grid Medicare (CMS) uses for nursing home citations.
Most recent cycle: December 16, 2025 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: December 16, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 6 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0732 Level F
“Post nurse staffing information every day.”
F0655 Level E
“Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted”
F0712 Level E
“Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.”
F0880 Level E
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0605 Level D
“Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.”
F0686 Level D
“Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.”
Previous cycle: October 31, 2024 — 3 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: October 31, 2024 (standard health inspection).
Show 3 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0684 Level D
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
F0755 Level D
“Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
Earlier cycle: October 17, 2023 — no health citations
Inspections in this cycle: October 17, 2023 (standard health inspection).
Citation descriptions are Medicare’s official wording. “From a complaint” means the citation came from a complaint investigation instead of the regular yearly inspection.
Full inspection reports on Medicare Care Compare →
Fire safety citations (9)
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0363 Level F
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
E0041 Level F
“Implement emergency and standby power systems.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0921 Level F
“Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.”
K0321 Level E
“Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”
K0923 Level E
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
K0761 Level F
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0923 Level F
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
Staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, from the payroll records nursing homes send to Medicare, next to the state and national averages.
| Measure | This home | Nebraska | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.92 | 0.69 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.50 | 0.68 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 3.32 | 2.75 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.74 | 4.12 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 4.08 | 3.57 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.86 | 0.48 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 37.8% | 48.5% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 21.4% | 43.5% | 42.5% |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Part of a group of 22 nursing homes: Vetter Senior Living.
Legal business name: VSL Kearney LLC.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (3)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vetter Senior Living | Direct owner | 100% | December 23, 2016 |
| Vetter Senior Living | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | December 23, 2016 |
| VSL Vetter Health Services LLC | Management company (operational or managerial control) | NOT APPLICABLE | July 1, 2017 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Ownership file, data updated October 1, 2026. Only owners with an ownership interest and management companies are shown.
Compare with other nursing homes
Key facts
| Type | Nursing home |
|---|---|
| Certified beds | 54 |
| Average residents per day | 51.5 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – corporation |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | Vetter Senior Living |
| Legal business name | VSL Kearney LLC |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 2019-08-21 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 2615 West 11th Street, Kearney, NE 68845 |
| County | Buffalo County |
| State | Nebraska |
| Phone | (308) 236‑0211 |
| CMS Certification Number | 285305 |
| Corrections | Report an error or suggest an update → |
What to ask when you call or visit
A general checklist for any nursing home, not advice about this one. Medicare also publishes guides on medicare.gov.
- Is the home certified by Medicare and/or Medicaid, and does it have a bed for the care you need (short-term rehab or long-term care)?
- Can you see the latest state inspection report? Ask how any problems found were fixed.
- How many nurses and aides work on each shift, at night and on weekends? Is there a registered nurse on site at all times?
- Which doctors see residents, and how often? What happens in a medical emergency, and which hospital is used?
- What therapy (physical, occupational, speech) is offered, and how many days a week?
- Are residents clean, dressed and taking part in activities? Do staff speak to them kindly and answer call lights quickly?
- What do the daily rate and extra services cost, and what do Medicare, Medicaid or your insurance pay? Ask for it in writing.
- Is there a resident council and a family council? How are complaints handled? Ask for the long-term care ombudsman’s contact.
- Are meals appetizing, and can the home meet special diets, language needs and religious or cultural preferences?
- Visit more than once, including at a mealtime or in the evening, without an appointment.
Other nursing homes nearby
By straight-line distance (not driving distance).
- Mt Carmel Home - Keens Memorial1.7 mi · Kearney, NE · 5 of 5 stars
- Mother Hull Home2.2 mi · Kearney, NE · 2 of 5 stars
- Good Samaritan Society - St John's2.5 mi · Kearney, NE · 2 of 5 stars
- Good Samaritan Society - St Luke's Village3.7 mi · Kearney, NE · 1 of 5 stars
- Bethany Home, Inc16 mi · Minden, NE · 3 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Kearney Regional Medical Center0.4 mi · Kearney, NE · Acute Care Hospital
- CHI Health Good Samaritan2.4 mi · Kearney, NE · Acute Care Hospital
- Kearney County Health Services Hospital16 mi · Minden, NE · Critical Access Hospital
Sources
- Provider Information — Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Medicare Care Compare — official Medicare profile of this provider
- Health Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Fire Safety Deficiencies — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Penalties — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Ownership — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- State US Averages — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Survey Summary — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Citation Code Look-up — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13
- Inspection Dates — CMS, data updated 2026-10-01, retrieved 2026-11-13