Quick answers
- Where is Creston Specialty Care?
- 1001 Cottonwood Drive, Creston, IA 50801, in Union County, Iowa.
- What is the phone number of Creston Specialty Care?
- (641) 782-8511, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Creston Specialty Care?
- Medicare overall rating: 3 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Creston Specialty Care been fined?
- Medicare lists 2 fines totaling $19,663.
- What did inspectors find at Creston Specialty Care?
- In its last three inspection cycles (January 4, 2024 to July 1, 2026), Medicare lists 19 health citations; the most serious was level G. 2 were level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). 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 (January 4, 2024 to July 1, 2026), Creston Specialty Care had 19 health citations; the most serious was level G (actual harm to residents). 2 of them were level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). It was fined $19,663 in total (2 fines, the latest on June 20, 2024). Nurse staffing is 3.38 hours per resident per day; the Iowa average is 3.86 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: July 1, 2026 — 8 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: October 9, 2025 (complaint investigation); July 1, 2026 (complaint investigation); July 1, 2026 (standard health inspection).
Show 8 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0761 Level E
“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.”
F0803 Level E
“Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.”
F0804 Level E
“Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.”
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
F0725 Level D
“Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.”
Previous cycle: May 8, 2025 — 4 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: December 31, 2024 (complaint investigation); May 8, 2025 (complaint investigation); May 8, 2025 (standard health inspection).
Show 4 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0637 Level E
“Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition”
F0561 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.”
F0887 Level D
“Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.”
F0658 Level D
“Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.”
Earlier cycle: June 20, 2024 — 7 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: January 4, 2024 (complaint investigation); June 20, 2024 (standard health inspection).
F0689 Level G
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
F0684 Level G
“Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.”
actual harm to residents; isolated (a few residents) · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Show 5 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0812 Level E
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
F0842 Level E
“Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.”
F0880 Level E
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0550 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.”
F0759 Level D
“Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.”
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 (12)
K0511 Level E
“Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.”
K0222 Level F
“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.”
K0281 Level F
“Install proper backup exit lighting.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0923 Level F
“Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.”
K0754 Level D
“Provide properly sized and located linen or trash receptacles.”
K0914 Level F
“Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0761 Level E
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0222 Level 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.”
K0291 Level D
“Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.”
K0341 Level D
“Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $19,663 (2 fines). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| June 20, 2024 | Fine | $12,048 |
| January 4, 2024 | Fine | $7,615 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Penalties file, data updated October 1, 2026.
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 | Iowa | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 0.54 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.91 | 0.56 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 1.93 | 2.56 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 3.38 | 3.86 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 2.89 | 3.38 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.32 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 41.8% | 44.1% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 55.6% | 42.1% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.4 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Part of a group of 43 nursing homes: Care Initiatives.
Legal business name: Care Initiatives.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (1)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Care Initiatives | Direct owner | 100% | November 12, 2010 |
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 | 74 |
| Average residents per day | 48.8 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – corporation |
| Group or chain (affiliated entity) | Care Initiatives |
| Legal business name | Care Initiatives |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 1994-03-01 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 1001 Cottonwood Drive, Creston, IA 50801 |
| County | Union County |
| State | Iowa |
| Phone | (641) 782‑8511 |
| CMS Certification Number | 165199 |
| 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).
- Accura Healthcare of Creston1.9 mi · Creston, IA · 2 of 5 stars
- Lenox Care Center16 mi · Lenox, IA · 2 of 5 stars
- Greenfield Rehabilitation & Health Care Center17 mi · Greenfield, IA · 2 of 5 stars
- Corning Specialty Care19 mi · Corning, IA · 4 of 5 stars
- Clearview Home25 mi · Mount Ayr, IA · 4 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Greater Regional Medical Center0.2 mi · Creston, IA · Critical Access Hospital
- Adair County Memorial Hospital17 mi · Greenfield, IA · Critical Access Hospital
- CHI Health - Mercy Corning20 mi · Corning, IA · 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