All states › Iowa › Des Moines › University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
233 University Avenue Des Moines, IA 50314 · Polk County
All 12 nursing homes in Des Moines, IA (12 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 165272 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the Iowa average of 3.1.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 3.64 hours per resident per day at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.64 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.36 hours, 8% below its all-week average. 100% of nursing staff left within a year (Iowa median 41.7%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center: Medicare and Medicaid
University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Iowa's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on March 5, 2026 and found 3 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 22 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 22 citations at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center across 5 inspection dates, 12 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 22 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (6) and resident rights (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide and implement an infection prevention and control program" (tag F0880, level E, March 5, 2026). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
March 5, 2026 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
May 7, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
January 30, 2025 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEmploy sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
EEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DHonor 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.
DProtect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
March 21, 2024 · 3 citations
EProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
November 21, 2023 · 5 citations · includes complaint inspection
EHonor 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.
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Questions to ask on a tour of University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on January 30, 2025. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- CMS rates staffing 2 out of 5. How many residents does each nurse aide care for on day, evening and night shifts?
- Nursing staff turnover was 100% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
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0.2 mi
Mercy Medical Center-Des Moines Des MoinesEmergency room ★☆☆☆☆ Medicare overall 1 of 5Median ER visit 4h 4m for patients treated and sent home
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1.1 mi
Iowa Methodist Medical Center Des MoinesEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 2m for patients treated and sent home
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1.6 mi
Broadlawns Medical Center Des MoinesEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 24m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center › All nursing homes in Des Moines ›
Compare University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Scottish Rite Park · Des Moines · 5 stars · 2.1 mi
- Karen Acres Care Center · Urbandale · 5 stars · 5.7 mi
- Childserve Habilitation Center · Johnston · 5 stars · 5.9 mi
- Walnut Ridge · Clive · 5 stars · 7.9 mi
Other Campbell Street Services nursing homes in Iowa
- Regency Park Nursing & Rehab Center of Carroll · Carroll · 5 stars
- Regency Park Nursing & Rehab Center of Jefferson · Jefferson · 4 stars
- Denison Care Center · Denison · 3 stars
- Granger Nursing & Rehabilitation Center · Granger · 3 stars
- Pleasant Acres Care Center · Hull · 3 stars
- Norwalk Nursing and Rehabilitation Center · Norwalk · 3 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 25 Campbell Street Services nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.