facebook tracking Sandhills Care Center, Ainsworth NE: CMS Ratings
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Sandhills Care Center

All states › Nebraska › Ainsworth › Sandhills Care Center

143 N Fullerton Street Ainsworth, NE 69210 · Brown County

(402) 387-1294

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 46 certified beds Government

CMS certification number 285298 · 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 Sandhills Care 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 Sandhills Care Center as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above the Nebraska average of 2.9. Inspectors issued 24 citations in the last three years. CMS reports no fines or payment denials in that time.

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 3.96 hours per resident per day at Sandhills Care Center, about the same as the Nebraska median of 3.99 (US median: 3.72). About 0.70 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.29 hours, 17% below its all-week average. Ask how weekends are staffed. 65.2% of nursing staff left within a year (Nebraska median 47.6%). 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 3.96 hours
About the Nebraska median Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.70 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.29 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 65.2% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 81.8% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds46
Residents per day 32 About 70% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipGovernment - County
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceDecember 2016
Legal business nameAINSWORTH BROWN COUNTY CARE CENTER

Paying for care at Sandhills Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid

Sandhills Care 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 Nebraska'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 August 26, 2026 and found 6 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 24 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 24 citations at Sandhills Care Center across 4 inspection dates, 5 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 23 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 1 was minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (5) and pharmacy service (4). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards" (tag F0812, level F, August 26, 2026). 5 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

August 26, 2026 · 7 citations · includes complaint inspection

FProcure 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 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

EEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0552 · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0605 · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0610 · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0677 · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0692 · Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction

June 17, 2025 · 5 citations

FProvide 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 (Jul 8, 2025)

EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 8, 2025)

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 (Jul 8, 2025)

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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 8, 2025)

DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0759 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 8, 2025)

May 23, 2024 · 11 citations · includes complaint inspection

FProcure 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 (Jun 14, 2024)

FProvide 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 (Jun 14, 2024)

EProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0600 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2024)

EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0759 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 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 (Jun 14, 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2024)

DEnsure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0661 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 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 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2024)

DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0692 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2024)

DEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2024)

CNot hire anyone with a finding of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or theft.

Potential for minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0606 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 14, 2024)

October 26, 2023 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection

DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 10, 2023)

Questions to ask on a tour of Sandhills Care Center

  1. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on August 26, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  2. Weekend staffing is 17% below the all-week average. Who is on duty on Saturday nights?
  3. Nursing staff turnover was 65.2% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
  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

CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 4/5 3/5 3/5 5/5
August 2026 3/5 2/5 3/5 5/5
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Location

Hospitals near Sandhills Care Center

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

  • 0.2 mi
    Brown County Hospital Ainsworth
    Emergency room
    Median ER visit 1h 50m for patients treated and sent home
  • 15.9 mi
    Rock County Hospital Bassett
    Emergency room
    Median ER visit 1h 51m 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

Rock County Hospital Long Term Care Bassett · 15.9 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 1/5 30 beds · Medicaid
Parkside Manor Stuart · 36.0 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 5/5 40 beds · Medicaid
Good Samaritan Society - Atkinson Atkinson · 44.5 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 61 beds · Medicaid
Accura Healthcare of O'Neill O' Neill · 60.8 mi away ★☆☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 4/5 84 beds · Medicaid
Community Memorial Health Center Burwell · 64.0 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 4/5 64 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Sandhills Care Center ›   All nursing homes in Ainsworth ›

Compare Sandhills Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

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/nebraska/ainsworth/sandhills-care-center/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.