facebook tracking Dubuque Specialty Care, Dubuque IA: CMS Ratings
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Dubuque Specialty Care

All states › Iowa › Dubuque › Dubuque Specialty Care

2935 Kaufmann Avenue Dubuque, IA 52001 · Dubuque County

(563) 556-0673

All 8 nursing homes in Dubuque, IA (8 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 84 certified beds Non profit

CMS certification number 165228 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

Is Dubuque Specialty Care 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 Dubuque Specialty Care as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Iowa average of 3.1. Inspectors issued 23 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 2 penalties, including $53,372 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 3 out of 5; for long-term residents, 3 out of 5.

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.

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Compare with the 3 closest homes

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 3.20 hours per resident per day at Dubuque Specialty Care, below the Iowa median of 3.76 (US median: 3.72). About 0.63 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 2.79 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 62.3% 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.

Nursing care per resident per day 3.20 hours
Below the Iowa median of 3.76 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.63 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 2.79 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 62.3% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 62.5% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 1 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds84
Residents per day 48 About 58% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipNon profit - Corporation
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceMay 1994
Part of a chainCare Initiatives
Legal business nameCARE INITIATIVES

Paying for care at Dubuque Specialty Care: Medicare and Medicaid

Dubuque Specialty Care 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 July 30, 2025 and found 7 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 23 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 23 citations at Dubuque Specialty Care across 3 inspection dates, 10 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on July 15, 2024. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (5) and resident rights (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing" (tag F0686, level G, July 15, 2024).

July 30, 2025 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection

FHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0865 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DCoordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0644 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DEnsure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0740 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0760 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 28, 2025)

July 15, 2024 · 14 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0686 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

EEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

EProvide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0725 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0550 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

DMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0919 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

BProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0623 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

BNotify 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.

Potential for minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0625 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 6, 2024)

October 24, 2023 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection

GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Actual harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 4, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Dubuque Specialty Care

  1. Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on July 15, 2024 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
  2. Nursing staff turnover was 62.3% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  3. The home averages about 58% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
  4. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  5. 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

2 penalties in the last three years, including $53,372 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Jul 15, 2024 Fine $53,372
Jul 15, 2024 Payment Denial 16 days of payments denied

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 3/5
August 2026 2/5 2/5 3/5 3/5
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Location

Hospitals near Dubuque Specialty Care

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

  • 1.7 mi
    The Finley Hospital Dubuque
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 1h 54m for patients treated and sent home
  • 2.3 mi
    Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque Dubuque
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 3h 24m for patients treated and sent home
  • 13.6 mi
    Midwest Medical Center Galena
    Emergency room

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

Luther Manor at Hillcrest Dubuque · 0.7 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 103 beds · Medicaid
Ennoble Nursing and Rehab Dubuque · 0.9 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 5/5 · Staffing 3/5 85 beds · Medicaid
Harmony Dubuque Dubuque · 2.3 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 2/5 75 beds · Medicaid
Grand Meadows Senior Living & Health Care Asbury · 2.3 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 32 beds · Medicaid
Stonehill Care Center Dubuque · 2.4 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 3/5 185 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Dubuque Specialty Care ›   All nursing homes in Dubuque ›

Compare Dubuque Specialty Care with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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Other Care Initiatives nursing homes in Iowa

Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 43 Care Initiatives 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.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/iowa/dubuque/dubuque-specialty-care/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.