Highlands, The
335 Nichols Road, Fitchburg, MA 01420
Highlands, The is a nursing home in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. 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
- 3 of 5CMS overall star rating
- 3 of 5CMS health inspection star rating
- 3 of 5CMS staffing star rating
- 4 of 5CMS quality measures star rating
Facts from CMS
- Phone
- (978) 343-4411
- Last standard health inspection
- November 25, 2025 (11 months ago)
- Certified beds
- 168
- Residents per day, on average
- 156.5
- Ownership type
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Legal business name
- Highlands Medical Investors LLC
- Chain
- Life Care Centers of America
- Takes part in
- Medicare and Medicaid
Fewer health citations than the Massachusetts average (17 vs 28).
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 overall star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 3 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
CMS update of March 25, 2026
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS health inspection 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.
7 citations
Health inspection on November 25, 2025
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation F0804. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
Citation F0880. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
Citation F0656. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for F0656 2 times since 2024.
Citation F0676. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
Citation F0690. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
CMS has cited this home for F0690 2 times since 2024.
Citation F0773. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
Citation F0842. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 19, 2025.
2 citations
Fire safety inspection on November 25, 2025
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation K0321. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
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 January 12, 2026.
Citation E0031. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
CMS lists it as corrected on January 6, 2026.
CMS update of July 30, 2025
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5.
CMS update of April 30, 2025
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 4 of 5.
CMS update of February 26, 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 changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
CMS update of December 20, 2024
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
6 citations
Health inspection on July 23, 2024
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
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 16, 2024.
Citation F0656. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 16, 2024.
Citation F0690. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 16, 2024.
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 16, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for F0812 2 times since 2023.
Citation F0883. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 16, 2024.
Citation F0641. Severity B: potential for minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 16, 2024.
5 citations
Fire safety inspection on July 23, 2024
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation K0347. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
CMS lists it as corrected on September 24, 2024.
Citation K0914. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 16, 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 20, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for K0918 2 times since 2023.
Citation E0041. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 20, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for E0041 2 times since 2023.
Citation K0712. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
CMS lists it as corrected on August 16, 2024.
CMS has cited this home for K0712 2 times since 2023.
CMS update of May 29, 2024
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5.
CMS update of April 25, 2024
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 4 of 5.
4 citations
Health inspection on March 20, 2023
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
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 April 3, 2023.
Citation F0698. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
CMS lists it as corrected on April 3, 2023.
Citation F0700. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
CMS lists it as corrected on April 3, 2023.
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 April 3, 2023.
4 citations
Fire safety inspection on March 20, 2023
CMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Citation K0712. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 17, 2023.
Citation E0041. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on April 24, 2023.
Citation K0341. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.
CMS lists it as corrected on May 16, 2023.
Citation K0918. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
CMS lists it as corrected on April 24, 2023.
Owners and managers
CMS lists these owners and managers for this home. Names are as CMS writes them.
- LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA, INC.Operational/managerial control · not applicable · since 06/30/2005
Questions
When was Highlands, The last inspected?
CMS lists November 25, 2025 as the date of its most recent standard health inspection.
How many citations (violations) does Highlands, The have?
CMS lists 17 health citations since March 20, 2023. CMS also calls these deficiencies.
Has Highlands, The been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
What is the CMS star rating of Highlands, The?
Its CMS overall star rating is 3 of 5.
Is Highlands, The a Special Focus Facility?
No. CMS does not list it as a Special Focus Facility or a candidate.