Inspection Reports for Birdee Cottage AL and MC

2221 Fairway Lane, Waterloo, IA, 50701

Back to Facility Profile

Inspection Report Summary

The most recent inspection on September 16, 2025, identified a deficiency related to the facility’s failure to develop an individualized service plan for a tenant that included alcohol use preferences and a physician’s titration recommendation. Earlier inspections showed a mixed record, with the initial certification visit in September 2022 citing multiple deficiencies involving documentation, medication administration, staff training, service plans, and life safety code issues, while a February 2025 complaint investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. The main themes across deficiencies involved individualized service planning, documentation accuracy, staff training, and compliance with dementia-specific program requirements. Complaint investigations were mostly unsubstantiated except for the recent case involving the individualized service plan omission. The pattern suggests some improvement since the initial certification, though issues with individualized care planning remain.

Deficiencies (last 2 years)

Deficiencies (over 2 years) 5 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.

14% worse than Iowa average
Iowa average: 4.4 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies per year

12 9 6 3 0
2022
2025

Census

Latest occupancy rate 17 residents

Based on a September 2025 inspection.

This facility has shown a steady increase in demand based on occupancy rates.

Census over time

4 8 12 16 20 24 Sep 2022 Feb 2025 Sep 2025

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 17 Deficiencies: 1 Date: Sep 16, 2025

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted due to a complaint investigation (#127410-C) regarding regulatory insufficiency at the assisted living facility.

Complaint Details
The deficiency was cited during the investigation of Complaint #127410-C. The Director confirmed the omission of alcohol consumption and titration plan in Tenant #1's service plan.
Findings
The facility failed to develop an individualized service plan for Tenant #1 that included her preferred use of alcohol and the physician's recommendation to titrate off the substance, despite cognitive impairment and provider input.

Deficiencies (1)
Failed to develop an individualized service plan based on identified preferences for Tenant #1, specifically regarding alcohol use and titration plan.
Report Facts
Census count: 17

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 13 Deficiencies: 0 Date: Feb 11, 2025

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted to investigate Complaint #121356-C and to perform a recertification visit to determine compliance with certification rules for an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

Complaint Details
Complaint #121356-C was investigated and found to have no regulatory insufficiencies.
Findings
No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the complaint investigation or the recertification visit.

Report Facts
Number of tenants without cognitive impairment: 4 Number of tenants with cognitive impairment: 9 Total census: 13

Inspection Report

Original Licensing
Census: 11 Deficiencies: 9 Date: Sep 28, 2022

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as an initial certification visit to determine compliance with certification for a Dedicated Dementia Specific Assisted Living Program and to investigate a complaint.

Complaint Details
The inspection was partially triggered by a complaint investigation #107552-C related to occupancy agreements and involuntary transfers.
Findings
The inspection identified multiple regulatory deficiencies including failure to include required information in occupancy agreements, inconsistent following of policies and procedures, incomplete incident reports, medication administration errors, incomplete wound care documentation, incomplete nurse delegation training, incomplete background checks, incomplete service plans, and failure to provide dementia-specific education for personnel.

Deficiencies (9)
Written occupancy agreement required; failed to include required information related to involuntary transfers and internal appeals process.
Program failed to consistently follow established policies and procedures; incident reports incomplete.
Medication administration records (MARs) incomplete; missing dates, times, reasons, results, and signatures.
Nurse delegation training not completed within 30 days for some staff.
Background checks not completed for all staff prior to employment.
Service plans not updated or signed timely; failed to reflect changes in tenant needs.
Food service menus did not meet recommended daily allowances; breakfast meal not included.
Dementia-specific education for personnel not completed within required timeframe.
Life safety code deficiency: operating alarm system not maintained; doors not secured at all times.
Report Facts
Census: 11 Number of tenants without cognitive disorder: 4 Number of tenants with cognitive disorder: 7 Number of deficiencies cited: 9 Number of tenants reviewed for policies and procedures: 3 Number of staff reviewed for nurse delegation training: 5 Number of tenants reviewed for medication administration: 3 Number of tenants reviewed for service plans: 3 Number of tenants reviewed for dementia-specific education: 5 Number of tenants with medication errors documented: 2 Number of tenants with incomplete nurse notes: 1 Number of tenants with incomplete service plans: 2 Number of tenants with incomplete occupancy agreements: 1 Number of tenants with incomplete incident reports: 2 Number of tenants with wound care documentation issues: 1 Number of tenants with medication administration documentation issues: 1 Number of tenants with incomplete narcotics policy: 11 Number of tenants with incomplete food service menus: 11

Viewing

Loading inspection reports...