Buffalo Lake Health Care Center
703 West Yellowstone Trail, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center is a nursing home in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota. This page lists the citations, fines and star ratings that CMS publishes for it. Each one has a date and a link to CMS.
At a glance
- CMS overall star rating4 of 5
- Last standard health inspectionJanuary 8, 2026 (10 months ago)
- Health citations since December 20, 202313 (Minnesota average 23)
- Fines in the past three yearsNone listed by CMS
- CMS flagsNone listed by CMS
Get an email when CMS publishes something new about this home
One email per CMS update, only when something changed: a new citation, a fine, a star rating change, a new owner. Early access follows one home per address.
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CMS flags
CMS does not list this home as a Special Focus Facility or a candidate. CMS does not show an abuse icon for it. CMS lists no change of ownership in the past 12 months.
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 October 28, 2026
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 3 of 5.
CMS update of April 29, 2026
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 3 of 5 to 2 of 5.
CMS update of February 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 5 of 5 to 3 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5.
Health inspection on January 8, 2026
8 citationsCMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Show the 8 citations
Citation F0812. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
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 March 5, 2026.
Citation F0880. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
CMS lists it as corrected on March 5, 2026.
Citation F0882. Severity F: potential for more than minimal harm, widespread.
The rule CMS cited:
Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
CMS lists it as corrected on March 5, 2026.
Citation F0580. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
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 March 5, 2026.
CMS has cited this home for F0580 2 times since 2023.
Citation F0645. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
CMS lists it as corrected on March 5, 2026.
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 March 5, 2026.
Citation F0808. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law.
CMS lists it as corrected on March 5, 2026.
Citation F0881. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
CMS lists it as corrected on March 5, 2026.
Fire safety inspection on January 8, 2026
2 citationsCMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Show the 2 citations
Citation K0211. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
CMS lists it as corrected on January 30, 2026.
Citation K0324. Severity E: potential for more than minimal harm, pattern.
The rule CMS cited:
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
CMS lists it as corrected on February 18, 2026.
CMS update of November 20, 2025
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 3 of 5.
CMS update of February 26, 2025
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS staffing star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 5 of 5. CMS changed how it scores this rating for many homes at once.
Fire safety inspection on November 20, 2024
4 citationsCMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Show the 4 citations
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 December 4, 2024.
Citation K0271. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Have exits that are accessible at all times.
CMS lists it as corrected on November 21, 2024.
Citation K0353. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 4, 2024.
Citation K0363. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
CMS lists it as corrected on December 4, 2024.
CMS update of July 31, 2024
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 4 of 5 to 5 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 1 of 5 to 2 of 5.
CMS update of April 25, 2024
Star rating
The CMS health inspection star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
CMS update of January 31, 2024
Star rating
The CMS overall star rating changed from 5 of 5 to 4 of 5.
Star rating
The CMS quality measures star rating changed from 2 of 5 to 1 of 5.
Health inspection on December 28, 2023
1 citationCMS lists this as a complaint inspection.
Show the 1 citation
Citation F0609. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
CMS lists it as corrected on February 28, 2024.
CMS update of December 21, 2023
Name
CMS lists a new name for this home. It was BUFFALO LAKE HEALTH CARE CTR.
Health inspection on December 20, 2023
4 citationsCMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Show the 4 citations
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 February 23, 2024.
Citation F0583. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
CMS lists it as corrected on February 23, 2024.
Citation F0625. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
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 February 23, 2024.
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 February 23, 2024.
Fire safety inspection on December 20, 2023
2 citationsCMS lists this as a standard inspection.
Show the 2 citations
Citation K0291. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
CMS lists it as corrected on January 31, 2024.
Citation K0355. Severity D: potential for more than minimal harm, isolated.
The rule CMS cited:
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
CMS lists it as corrected on January 31, 2024.
CMS star ratings
- 4 of 5CMS overall star rating
- 3 of 5CMS health inspection star rating
- 5 of 5CMS staffing star rating
- 3 of 5CMS quality measures star rating
Facts from CMS
- Phone
- (320) 833-5364
- Last standard health inspection
- January 8, 2026 (10 months ago)
- Certified beds
- 49
- Residents per day, on average
- 46
- Ownership type
- Non profit - Corporation
- Legal business name
- Buffalo Lake Healthcare Center INC,.
- Chain
- Not listed by CMS
- Takes part in
- Medicare and Medicaid
Fewer health citations than the Minnesota average (13 vs 23).
Owners and managers
CMS lists these owners and managers for this home. Names are as CMS writes them.
- BYRON, DAVIDOperational/managerial control · not applicable · since 02/05/2018
- CARLSON, RANELLOperational/managerial control · not applicable · since 11/29/2016
- RUST, MARKOperational/managerial control · not applicable · since 01/01/2009
Questions
When was Buffalo Lake Health Care Center last inspected?
CMS lists January 8, 2026 as the date of its most recent standard health inspection.
How many citations (violations) does Buffalo Lake Health Care Center have?
CMS lists 13 health citations since December 20, 2023. CMS also calls these deficiencies.
Has Buffalo Lake Health Care Center been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
What is the CMS star rating of Buffalo Lake Health Care Center?
Its CMS overall star rating is 4 of 5.
Is Buffalo Lake Health Care Center a Special Focus Facility?
No. CMS does not list it as a Special Focus Facility or a candidate.