Mostly short-term rehab stays
Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.
New residents most often arrive under Medicare (48% of admissions), and a typical Medicare stay runs around 1 - 2 months.
Avantara Milbank is a nursing home in Milbank, South Dakota, focused primarily on short-term recovery and post-acute care services for older adults. Privately owned and operated, this 45-bed community is currently operating at a 68% occupancy rate, which is lower than the state average and suggests availability for immediate placements. Furthermore, it serves a resident population largely composed of Medicare and private-pay individuals, with an average length of stay of approximately 127 days, which reflects its rehabilitation-centered approach rather than long-term custodial care.
The community underwent six inspections and received 18 citations over the past seven years, a figure above the South Dakota average. Between late 2023 and the end of 2024, three federal penalties were issued related to regulatory deficiencies. Six citations were also categorized as serious in severity, substantially higher than the statewide average, highlighting areas of compliance concern.
Additionally, the most recent inspection, completed in March 2025, identified deficiencies involving quality of care, resident rights, and nutrition services, all of which were subsequently corrected. Notably, the community has not recorded any immediate jeopardy findings or critical-level citations.
Staffing levels align with the community’s focus on rehabilitation and transitional care, with an average of 3 hours and 23 minutes of nursing care daily, which is slightly below the South Dakota average. Certified nursing assistants also make up the largest share of direct care staffing, while contract staff account for roughly 20% of total staffing hours.
Clinical programming focuses heavily on post-acute recovery and includes specialized support for post-surgical rehabilitation, stroke recovery, cardiac care, orthopedic rehabilitation, and pulmonary care. These services are designed for residents recovering from hospitalization or complex medical events who require time-limited skilled nursing oversight and therapy before returning home or transitioning to a lower level of care.
Focusing on post-acute therapy and specialized rehabilitation services, Avantara Milbank is best suited for older adults in the Milbank area seeking short-term rehabilitation and clinically focused recovery support within a moderately sized community.
Avantara Milbank is administered by Keisha Dorscher.
In South Dakota, the Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure is the state agency responsible for conducting unannounced surveys and monitoring facility quality.
Deficiencies
| This Facility | SD Average | vs. SD Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total deficiencies
| 19 | 19 | This facility has total deficiencies in line with the South Dakota average (19 vs. SD avg 19).— At avg |
|
Deficiencies per year
| 4.8 | 4.8 | This facility has deficiencies per year in line with the South Dakota average (4.8 vs. SD avg 4.8).— At avg |
|
Deficiencies per inspection
| 3.2 | 3.2 | This facility has deficiencies per inspection in line with the South Dakota average (3.2 vs. SD avg 3.2).— At avg |
Inspections
| This Facility | SD Average | vs. SD Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Total inspections
| 6 | 6 | This facility has total inspections in line with the South Dakota average (6 vs. SD avg 6).— At avg |
State average N/A
Last Health inspection on Mar 2025
State average N/A
State average N/A
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
10 of 18 citations resulted from standard inspections; and 8 of 18 resulted from complaint investigations.
State average: N/A
State average: N/A
Reporting period: October 1 – December 31, 2025 (Q4 2025). Source: CMS Payroll-Based Journal report.
Manages medical care and health needs.
Assists with medical care and medications.
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Total hours from contractors
7,163 contractor hours this quarter
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 20 | 49 | 69 | 6,751 | 92 | 100% | 8.7 |
| Registered Nurse | 4 | 9 | 13 | 3,090 | 92 | 100% | 10.8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 1 | 7 | 8 | 892 | 60 | 65% | 10.4 |
| Administrator | 2 | 0 | 2 | 712 | 64 | 70% | 8 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 1 | 1 | 2 | 514 | 61 | 66% | 8.4 |
| Dietitian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 472 | 59 | 64% | 8 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 0 | 2 | 2 | 409 | 57 | 62% | 6.6 |
| Dental Services Staff | 1 | 0 | 1 | 384 | 48 | 52% | 8 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 0 | 4 | 4 | 263 | 59 | 64% | 4.4 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 3 | 0 | 3 | 233 | 39 | 42% | 5.7 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 0 | 1 | 1 | 197 | 48 | 52% | 4.1 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 1 | 0 | 1 | 104 | 13 | 14% | 8 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 0 | 2 | 2 | 67 | 27 | 29% | 2.5 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 0 | 1 | 1 | 64 | 24 | 26% | 2.7 |
Includes penalties issued in 2023-2024
Federal penalties imposed by CMS for regulatory violations, including civil money penalties (fines) and denials of payment for new Medicare/Medicaid admissions.
Source: CMS Penalties Database (Data as of Jan 2026)
Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.
3 penalties in the past 3 years
Multiple penalties were reported in the last 3 years.
Last updated: Jan 2026
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
48% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
35% of new residents, often for short stays.
17% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Family members meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Organized group of family members that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, resident care, and activities.
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Historical financial and operational data for Avantara Milbank from 2011–2023, based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
Key figures below are for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Based on CMS SNF Cost Report for fiscal year ending in 12/2023.
Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.
New residents most often arrive under Medicare (48% of admissions), and a typical Medicare stay runs around 1 - 2 months.
Coverage residents most often arrive under.
Coverage residents most often leave under.
0.0 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Milbank's city center to Avantara Milbank's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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The information below is reported by the South Dakota Department of Health, Office of Health Care Facilities Licensure.
| Avera Maryhouse | NH AL HOS | Pierre | - | 67 | - | 60 | Private Rooms / Semi-Private Rooms |
| Bethesda Home of Aberdeen | NH AL HC RC SNF | Aberdeen (Aberdeen Township) | - | 86 | - | 85 | - |
| Prairie Heights Healthcare | NH HOS SNF | Aberdeen | - | 99 | - | 85 | - |
| Bethany Home Sioux Falls/Bethany Home-Brandon | NH AL IL MC SNF | Sioux Falls | - | 112 | - | 65 | - |
| Avantara Milbank | NH HOS MC SNF | Milbank | - | 45 | - | 64 | - |
Avantara Milbank has a walk score of 64. Moderately walkable. Some errands can be accomplished on foot, with a mix of nearby amenities.
According to SD state health department records, Avantara Milbank's license number is 10650.
According to SD state health department records, Avantara Milbank's license expires on June 30, 2026.
Avantara Milbank's occupancy is 68%.
Avantara Milbank is registered as a for-profit in SD.
Keisha Dorscher is the administrator of Avantara Milbank.
Avantara Milbank has 45 beds.
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