Quick answers
- Where is Sandstone Heights?
- 440 State Street, Little River, KS 67457, in Rice County, Kansas.
- What is the phone number of Sandstone Heights?
- (620) 897-6266, as listed by Medicare (CMS).
- What is the Medicare star rating of Sandstone Heights?
- Medicare overall rating: 2 out of 5 stars (CMS data updated 2026-10-01).
- Has Sandstone Heights been fined?
- Medicare lists 2 fines totaling $67,763 and 1 payment denial.
- What did inspectors find at Sandstone Heights?
- In its last three inspection cycles (November 4, 2021 to March 13, 2025), Medicare lists 20 health citations; the most serious was level J. 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 (November 4, 2021 to March 13, 2025), Sandstone Heights had 20 health citations; the most serious was level J (immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety). 2 of them were level G or higher (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). It was fined $67,763 in total (2 fines, the latest on March 13, 2025) and had 1 Medicare payment denial. Nurse staffing is 4.32 hours per resident per day; the Kansas average is 4.13 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: March 13, 2025 — 5 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: March 13, 2025 (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
Show 4 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0851 Level F
“Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.”
F0625 Level D
“Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.”
F0657 Level D
“Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.”
F0812 Level D
“Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.”
Previous cycle: June 15, 2023 — 9 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: June 15, 2023 (standard health inspection); March 13, 2025 (complaint investigation).
Show 9 citations (levels A to F, no actual harm)
F0727 Level F
“Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.”
F0880 Level F
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
F0921 Level F
“Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.”
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.”
F0557 Level D
“Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.”
F0641 Level D
“Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.”
F0660 Level D
“Plan the resident's discharge to meet the resident's goals and needs.”
F0661 Level D
“Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.”
F0677 Level D
“Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.”
Earlier cycle: November 4, 2021 — 6 health citations
Inspections in this cycle: November 4, 2021 (standard health inspection); January 16, 2024 (complaint investigation).
F0602 Level J
“Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.”
immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety; isolated (a few residents) · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Show 5 less serious citations (levels A to F)
F0882 Level F
“Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.”
F0881 Level E
“Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.”
F0689 Level D
“Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.”
F0761 Level 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.”
F0880 Level D
“Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.”
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 (31)
E0007 Level F
“Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.”
E0015 Level F
“Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.”
E0018 Level F
“Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency.”
E0026 Level F
“Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary.”
E0030 Level F
“List the names and contact information of those in the facility.”
K0161 Level F
“Use approved construction type or materials.”
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.”
K0321 Level F
“Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.”
K0324 Level F
“Provide properly protected cooking facilities.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0363 Level F
“Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.”
K0372 Level F
“Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.”
K0511 Level F
“Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0920 Level F
“Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.”
K0211 Level E
“Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.”
K0711 Level E
“Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.”
E0004 Level F
“Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
K0918 Level F
“Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.”
K0926 Level F
“Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.”
K0761 Level E
“To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.”
K0362 Level D
“Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.”
K0511 Level D
“Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.”
K0345 Level F
“Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.”
K0353 Level F
“Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.”
K0712 Level F
“Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.”
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.”
Fines and payment denials
Total fines over about the last three years: $67,763 (2 fines). A payment denial means Medicare stopped paying for new admissions for a time.
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| March 13, 2025 | Fine | $41,262 |
| March 13, 2025 | Payment denial | from April 11, 2025, 40 days |
| January 16, 2024 | Fine | $26,501 |
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 | Kansas | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day | 1.09 | 0.73 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day | 0.64 | 0.66 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day | 2.59 | 2.74 | 2.35 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day | 4.32 | 4.13 | 3.90 |
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend | 3.92 | 3.62 | 3.43 |
| RN hours per resident per day on the weekend | 0.85 | 0.51 | 0.48 |
| Nursing staff turnover (per year) | 51.4% | 48.0% | 45.3% |
| RN turnover (per year) | 25.0% | 42.6% | 42.5% |
| Administrators who left in the last year | 0.0 | 0.3 | 0.5 |
Source: Medicare (CMS) Provider Information and State US Averages, data updated October 1, 2026.
Owners and operator
Legal business name: Rice County Hospital District No 2.
Owners and managers Medicare lists (1)
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rice County Hospital District No 2 | Direct owner | 100% | July 1, 1989 |
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 | 36 |
| Average residents per day | 26.2 |
| Takes part in | Medicare and Medicaid |
| Ownership | Non-profit – other |
| Legal business name | Rice County Hospital District No 2 |
| First approved by Medicare/Medicaid | 2008-10-01 |
| Resident and family councils | Resident council |
| Sprinklers in all required areas | Yes |
| Changed ownership in the last 12 months | No |
| Address | 440 State Street, Little River, KS 67457 |
| County | Rice County |
| State | Kansas |
| Phone | (620) 897‑6266 |
| CMS Certification Number | 175509 |
| Name in Medicare records | SANDSTONE HEIGHTS |
| 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).
- Riverview Estates14 mi · Marquette, KS · 1 of 5 stars
- Sterling Village16 mi · Sterling, KS · 3 of 5 stars
- Pleasant View Home18 mi · Inman, KS · 4 of 5 stars
- McPherson Operator, LLC19 mi · McPherson, KS · 4 of 5 stars
- The Cedars20 mi · McPherson, KS · 4 of 5 stars
Nearest hospital emergency rooms
- Hospital District #1 of Rice County11 mi · Lyons, KS · Critical Access Hospital
- McPherson Hospital19 mi · McPherson, KS · Acute Care Hospital
- Lindsborg Community Hospital22 mi · Lindsborg, KS · 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