F

BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER

604 1ST STREET NE, FOREST LAKE, MN 55025
Score: 27 / 100

Birchwood Health Care Center has received an F grade based on CMS data, with a score of 27/100 — placing it among the lowest-rated nursing facilities in Minnesota. Families considering this Forest Lake facility should carefully review its inspection history and quality metrics.

Staffing at Birchwood Health Care Center is near the national average, with 3.91 total nursing hours per resident per day (national average: 3.8 hours).

Recent CMS inspections identified 36 deficiencies at Birchwood Health Care Center, including 2 classified as serious — among the most concerning citation levels. The most notable finding involved: provide and implement an infection prevention and control program..

Score Breakdown

Overall CMS Rating 16 / 40 pts
2 ★ CMS rating
Health Inspections 5 / 25 pts
1 ★ inspection rating
Staffing 16 / 20 pts
4 ★ staffing rating
Quality Measures 15 / 15 pts
5 ★ quality measures

🏥 Staffing Details

Staff Type Hours/Resident/Day National Avg Comparison
Total Nursing 3.91 3.8 Average
Registered Nurses (RN) 0.80 0.7 Above Average
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) 1.07 0.7 Above Average
Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) 2.04 2.4 Below Average
Weekend Total Nursing 3.51 3.8 Average
Weekend RN Hours 0.68 0.7 Average

🔍 Inspection & Deficiency History

36
Total Deficiencies
Dec 18, 2025
Most Recent Inspection
⚪ 1 Minor 🟠 33 Moderate 🔴 2 Serious
View recent deficiencies (5 shown)
  • Tag 0880 Severity D
    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
    Dec 18, 2025 · Infection Control Deficiencies
  • Tag 0689 Severity J
    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
    Nov 12, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
  • Tag 0842 Severity D
    Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standar
    Nov 12, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
  • Tag 0558 Severity D
    Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
    Apr 9, 2025 · Resident Rights Deficiencies
  • Tag 0757 Severity D
    Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
    Apr 9, 2025 · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

📊 Resident Outcome Measures

Based on CMS quality measure data. Lower percentages are better for most metrics.

Measure This Facility Nat'l Avg
Residents with pressure ulcers 2.6% 4.5% Better
Falls with major injury 1.8% 3.0% Better
On antipsychotic medication 13.7% 14.5% Average
Urinary tract infections 0.9% 2.5% Better
ADL decline (daily activities) 15.5% 14.0% Worse
Excessive weight loss 2.6% 7.5% Better
New/worsened incontinence 25.0% 45.0% Better

⚠️ Penalties & Fines

3 penalties recorded by CMS

Total fines: $132,781

How This Grade Was Calculated

This facility's grade of F is based on a score of 27 out of 100, calculated from official CMS Nursing Home Compare data:

  • Overall CMS Rating: 2★ → 16 pts (max 40)
  • Health Inspection Rating: 1★ → 5 pts (max 25)
  • Staffing Rating: 4★ → 16 pts (max 20)
  • Quality Measures Rating: 5★ → 15 pts (max 15)
  • Penalty deductions: -15 pts
  • Fine deductions: -10 pts

Grades: A=85+, B=70–84, C=55–69, D=40–54, F=below 40

Facility Details

Ownership
Non profit - Corporation
Certified Beds
100
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
Resident Council
Yes
Family Council
No
Sprinkler System
Yes
Last Inspection
Apr 9, 2025
Deficiencies (Cycle 1)
8