All states › Ohio › Berea › Northwestern Healthcare Center
570 North Rocky River Drive Berea, OH 44017 · Cuyahoga County
All 3 nursing homes in Berea, OH (3 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 365811 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Northwestern Healthcare 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 Northwestern Healthcare Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Ohio average of 3.2.
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 3.48 hours per resident per day at Northwestern Healthcare Center, about the same as the Ohio median of 3.58 (US median: 3.72). About 0.79 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.27 hours, 6% below its all-week average. 60.7% of nursing staff left within a year (Ohio median 48.9%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there. 2 administrators left in the past year.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Northwestern Healthcare Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Northwestern Healthcare 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 Ohio'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 27, 2025 and found 11 deficiencies, plus 3 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 32 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 32 citations at Northwestern Healthcare Center across 6 inspection dates, 14 of them from complaint investigations. 2 were at the immediate-jeopardy level (J–L), CMS's most serious category, most recently on August 27, 2025 (complaint inspection). The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (9) and resident rights (5). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs" (tag F0805, level K, May 7, 2024). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 27, 2025 · 14 citations · includes complaint inspection
JProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
FHave the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DProperly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
DNotify each resident of certain balances and convey resident funds upon discharge, eviction, or death.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DAssist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
DProvide appropriate foot care.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
CAdminister the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
CHave an agreement with at least one or more hospitals certified by Medicare or Medicaid to make sure residents can be moved quickly to the hospital when they need medical care.
December 9, 2024 · 4 citations · includes complaint inspection
EReasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
September 24, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
August 26, 2024 · 5 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 7, 2024 · 1 citation, includes immediate jeopardy · includes complaint inspection
KEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
September 14, 2021 · 7 citations
EHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
DAssist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services.
Questions to ask on a tour of Northwestern Healthcare Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the immediate-jeopardy level on May 7, 2024 under the rule on nutrition and dietary. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on August 27, 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 60.7% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- Several administrators left in the past year. What has changed for residents since then?
- The home averages about 45% of its beds filled. Are any units closed?
- 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
3 penalties in the last three years, including $152,195 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 27, 2025 | Fine | $68,250 |
| Aug 26, 2024 | Fine | $26,813 |
| May 7, 2024 | Fine | $57,132 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 3/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Northwestern Healthcare 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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1.5 mi
Southwest General Health Center Middleburg HeightsEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 19m for patients treated and sent home
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5.1 mi
Fairview Hospital ClevelandEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 4h 2m for patients treated and sent home
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5.8 mi
St John Medical Center WestlakeEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 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
More nursing homes near Northwestern Healthcare Center › All nursing homes in Berea ›
Compare Northwestern Healthcare Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Berea Center · Berea · 5 stars · 0.6 mi
- O'Neill Healthcare Middleburg Heights · Middleburg Heights · 5 stars · 1.5 mi
- Village of the Falls · Olmsted Falls · 5 stars · 2.6 mi
- Riverview Pointe Care Center · Olmsted Falls · 5 stars · 2.7 mi
Other Communicare Health nursing homes in Ohio
- Pebble Creek Healthcare Center · Akron · 5 stars
- Addison Healthcare Center · Masury · 5 stars
- Austintown Healthcare Center · Youngstown · 5 stars
- Bridgeport Health Care Center · Portsmouth · 5 stars
- The Pines Healthcare Center · Canton · 5 stars
- Berea Center · Berea · 5 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 109 Communicare Health 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.