Dubuque Specialty Care
2935 Kaufmann Avenue, Dubuque, IA 52001
Dubuque Specialty Care is a nursing home in Dubuque, Iowa. This page lists the citations, fines and star ratings that CMS publishes for it. Each one has a date and a link to CMS.
CMS star ratings
- 2 of 5CMS overall star rating
- 2 of 5CMS health inspection star rating
- 3 of 5CMS staffing star rating
- 3 of 5CMS quality measures star rating
Facts from CMS
- Phone
- (563) 556-0673
- Last standard health inspection
- July 30, 2025 (1 year ago)
- Certified beds
- 84
- Residents per day, on average
- 48.3
- Ownership type
- Non profit - Corporation
- Legal business name
- Care Initiatives
- Chain
- Care Initiatives
- Takes part in
- Medicare and Medicaid
More health citations than the Iowa average (23 vs 21).
Inspections, fines and changes
This list shows every citation and fine in CMS's current data, which covers about the last three years. It also shows changes CMS made to this home's ratings and records.
CMS update of July 29, 2026
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 3 of 5.
CMS update of April 29, 2026
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 2 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 3 of 5.
CMS update of February 25, 2026
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 3 of 5.
CMS update of November 20, 2025
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 1 of 5 to 2 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 1 of 5 to 2 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
8 citations
Health inspection on July 30, 2025
CMS lists this as a standard inspection and a complaint inspection.
Citation F0865. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
Citation F0644. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
Citation F0657. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for F0657 2 times since 2024.
Citation F0725. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for F0725 2 times since 2024.
Citation F0740. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
Citation F0760. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
Citation F0812. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for F0812 2 times since 2024.
Citation F0880. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 28, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for F0880 2 times since 2024.
2 citations
Fire safety inspection on July 30, 2025
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation K0353. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on July 22, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for K0353 3 times since 2023.
Citation K0363. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
CMS lists it as corrected on July 22, 2025.
CMS update of July 30, 2025
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 1 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 1 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 4 of 5.
CMS update of April 30, 2025
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 2 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 3 of 5.
CMS update of February 26, 2025
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 3 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 4 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
Fine
CMS changed the fine from July 15, 2024 from $82,110 to $53,372.
CMS update of October 30, 2024
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 1 of 5 to 2 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 1 of 5 to 2 of 5.
CMS update of August 29, 2024
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 1 of 5 to 2 of 5.
Payment stopped
August 7, 2024 (2 years ago)
CMS stopped payment for new admissions from August 7, 2024, for 16 days.
14 citations
Health inspection on July 15, 2024
CMS lists this as a standard inspection and a complaint inspection.
Severity G is the second-highest of CMS's four levels. It means a resident was harmed.
91 of 387 Iowa homes (24%) got a citation at the actual harm level in 2024.
Citation F0686. Severity G: actual harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0658. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0725. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0812. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0550. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0580. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0584. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Honor 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.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0657. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0684. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0689. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for F0689 2 times since 2023.
Citation F0880. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0919. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0623. Severity B: potential for minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
Citation F0625. Severity B: potential for minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
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.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 6, 2024.
6 citations
Fire safety inspection on July 15, 2024
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation E0039. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
CMS lists it as corrected on July 31, 2024.
Citation E0041. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on July 30, 2024.
Citation K0353. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 5, 2024.
Citation K0918. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 23, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for K0918 2 times since 2023.
Citation K0223. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
CMS lists it as corrected on July 16, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for K0223 2 times since 2023.
Citation K0321. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
CMS lists it as corrected on July 16, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for K0321 2 times since 2023.
Fine
July 15, 2024 (2 years ago)
CMS fine of $53,372 on July 15, 2024.
1 citation
Health inspection on October 24, 2023
CMS lists this as a complaint inspection.
Severity G is the second-highest of CMS's four levels. It means a resident was harmed.
28 of 387 Iowa homes (7%) got a citation at the actual harm level in 2023.
Citation F0689. Severity G: actual harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 4, 2023.
7 citations
Fire safety inspection on May 4, 2023
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation K0324. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 11, 2023.
Citation K0345. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 11, 2023.
Citation K0353. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 17, 2023.
Citation K0918. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 15, 2023.
Citation K0223. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 11, 2023.
Citation K0321. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 15, 2023.
Citation K0511. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 11, 2023.
Owners and managers
CMS lists these owners and managers for this home. Names are as CMS writes them.
- CARE INITIATIVES5% or greater direct ownership interest · 100% · since 09/01/2009
- BAEDKE, CHARISSAOperational/managerial control · not applicable · since 01/01/2024
- DUVE, JAMIEOperational/managerial control · not applicable · since 05/08/2024
- WHYMS, BRIANOperational/managerial control · not applicable · since 01/01/2024
Questions
When was Dubuque Specialty Care last inspected?
CMS lists July 30, 2025 as the date of its most recent standard health inspection.
How many citations (violations) does Dubuque Specialty Care have?
CMS lists 23 health citations since October 24, 2023. CMS also calls these deficiencies.
Has Dubuque Specialty Care been fined?
CMS lists 1 fine in the past three years, $53,372 in total.
What is the CMS star rating of Dubuque Specialty Care?
Its CMS overall star rating is 2 of 5.
Is Dubuque Specialty Care a Special Focus Facility?
No. CMS does not list it as a Special Focus Facility or a candidate.