Highlands, The
Fitchburg, Massachusetts · CCN 225315
23 surveys since 2011, 12 of them producing a finding at harm level or worse.
Data as of , released by CMS on October 8, 2026. Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog.
- Citations on record
- 76
- Surveys
- 23
- Harm or worse
- 12
- Immediate jeopardy
- 3
Findings at the most serious level CMS records.
Older surveys no longer in CMS’s monthly file or on Care Compare. They are shown here.
The facility
- Certified beds
- 168
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Chain
- LIFE CARE CENTERS OF AMERICA
- County
- Worcester
- Medicare-certified since
- 1988
CMS ratings
- Overall
- 3
- Health inspection
- 3
- Staffing
- 3
- Quality measures
- 4
CMS’s own Five-Star ratings.
Compared with similar facilities
Since 2021, this facility recorded somewhat fewer weighted findings than its peer group.
Weighted by harm level, against 96 for-profit facilities with 128 or more beds in Massachusetts.
Last survey on record
Nov 25, 2025
349 days ago.
Counts surveys with at least one finding. A clean survey leaves no record here, so the real gap may be shorter.
Staffing
| Measure | This facility | Peer median |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse hours per resident day | 3.86 | 3.59 |
| Registered-nurse hours per resident day | 0.41 | — |
| Annual nurse turnover | 24.8% | 34.0% |
As reported by the facility to CMS, beside the peer-group median.
Enforcement
No fines, payment denials or special-focus designation on the current CMS record.
Severity of recent findings
| Severity | Isolated | Pattern | Widespread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate jeopardy | J— | K— | L— |
| Actual harm | G— | H— | I— |
| No harm, potential for more than minimal | D1376.5% | E317.6% | F— |
| No harm, potential for minimal | A— | B15.9% | C— |
Most frequently cited here
In CMS’s current monthly file.
- F6562×
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- F6902×
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
- F8122×
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
- F5801×
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
- F6411×
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
In the surveyor’s words
From the most serious findings on record at Highlands, The, in the surveyor’s own words.
- Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF684Apr 21, 2021
Based on records reviewed and interviews, for one of three sampled residents (Resident #1), who had a midline intravenous (IV) catheter (an IV placed in a peripheral vein with the distal tip located just proximal to the axilla (where the arm connects to the shoulder) that delivers fluids and/or medications directly into the vein), the Facility failed to ensure nursing staff provided adequate care and services that meet professional standards of practice. On 03/30/2021, Nurse #1 failed to ensure Resident #1's needleless hub remained on his/her midline IV and that the clamp on the IV was securely closed, after she disconnected Resident #1's IV antibiotic medication, and as a result, Resident #1 bled out of his/her midline. […]
- Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF694Apr 21, 2021
Based on records reviewed and interviews, for one of three sampled residents (Resident #1), who had a midline intravenous (IV) catheter (an IV placed in a peripheral vein with the distal tip located just proximal to the axilla (where the arm connects to the shoulder) that delivers fluids and/or medications directly into the vein), the Facility failed to ensure nursing staff provided adequate care and services that meet professional standards of practice. On 03/30/2021, Nurse #1 failed to ensure Resident #1's needleless hub remained on his/her midline IV and that the clamp on the IV was securely closed, after she disconnected Resident #1's IV antibiotic medication, and as a result, Resident #1 bled out of his/her midline. […]
- Immediate jeopardy, isolatedF726Apr 21, 2021
Based on records reviewed and interviews, for one of three sampled residents (Resident #1), who had a midline intravenous (IV) catheter (an IV placed in a peripheral vein with the distal tip located just proximal to the axilla (where the arm connects to the shoulder) that delivers fluids and or medications directly into the vein), the Facility failed to ensure nursing staff were competent for providing necessary care and services. On 03/30/2021, Nurse #1 failed to ensure Resident #1's needleless hub remained on his/her midline IV after she disconnected Resident #1's IV antibiotic medication and that the midline IV clamp was securely closed, as a result Resident #1 bled out of his/her midline. […]
- No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF804Nov 25, 2025
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to provide food and drink at a safe and appetizing temperature for residents on Three (Unit Two, Unit Three and Unit Five) of Four units observed and for one Resident (#11) out of a total sample of 31 residents. Specifically, the facility failed to: 1. Ensure that residents on Unit Two, Unit Three and Unit Five received food that was served at safe and appetizing temperatures.2. Ensure that Resident #11's meal preferences were honored when the meals tickets identified the Residents' choices of meal. Findings include: 1. […]
- No harm, potential for more than minimal, patternF880Nov 25, 2025
Based on observations, record review, and interview, the facility failed to adhere to infection control practices and standards for two (Unit Two and Unit Five) out of four resident units and for one Resident (#69) out of a total sample of 31 residents, increasing the risk of contamination and spread of infection for residents in the facility.Specifically, the facility failed to:1. conduct testing of residents and staff for COVID-19 infections, every forty-eight hours as required, when Unit Two and Unit Five were experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 infections.2. […]
Read 29 findings in full →The most serious and the most recent: 29 of 76 on record.
Every survey on record
FindingsAt actual harm or above
- Nov 25, 2025Standard7 findings
- Jul 23, 2024Standard6 findings
- Mar 20, 2023Standard4 findings
- Mar 9, 2023Complaint1 finding
- Sep 22, 2021Infection control2 findings
- Jun 30, 2021Standard1 finding
- Apr 21, 2021Complaint3 findings · 3 harm
- Jan 4, 2021Infection control1 finding
Show the 15 earlier surveys
- Mar 13, 2020Standard1 finding
- Feb 28, 2019Standard5 findings
- Oct 27, 2017Standard7 findings
- Oct 26, 2016Standard4 findings · 2 harm
- Sep 24, 2015Standard9 findings · 2 harm
- Dec 12, 2014Complaint1 finding
- Oct 24, 2014Standard6 findings · 1 harm
- Mar 11, 2014Complaint1 finding
- Sep 30, 2013—6 findings · 2 harm
- Jul 8, 2013—1 finding
- May 20, 2013Complaint1 finding · 1 harm
- Jan 17, 2013—1 finding · 1 harm
- Dec 11, 2012—1 finding
- Sep 25, 2012—4 findings
- Jul 28, 2011—3 findings
Surveys that found no deficiencies are not in CMS’s files and do not appear here.
Comparable facilities
The nearest facilities to this one in the same peer group, by weighted findings.
- Springside Rehabilitation and Skilled Care CenterPittsfield4 harm findings
- Care One at PeabodyPeabody1 harm finding
- Belmont Manor Nursing Home, InBelmont2 harm findings
- Reservoir Center for Health & Rehabilitation, TheMarlborough1 harm finding
- St Francis Rehabilitation & Nursing CenterWorcester5 harm findings
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