Inspection Reports for
Heritage of Emerson
607 Nebraska Street, EMERSON, NE, 68733
Back to Facility ProfileDeficiencies (last 12 years)
Deficiencies (over 12 years)
3.4 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies are regulatory findings recorded during state inspections.
19% better than Nebraska average
Nebraska average: 4.2 deficiencies/year
Deficiencies per year
12
9
6
3
0
Occupancy
Latest occupancy rate
82% occupied
Based on a December 2018 inspection.
This facility has shown a decline in demand based on occupancy rates.
Occupancy rate over time
Inspection Report
Renewal
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Mar 28, 2025
Visit Reason
The document is a Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application and related renewal certification for Heritage of Emerson, verifying licensure through the indicated renewal date.
Findings
The documents certify that Heritage of Emerson meets statutory requirements for licensure renewal as a Skilled Nursing Facility with a licensed capacity of 38 beds. No deficiencies or inspection findings are noted.
Report Facts
Licensed beds: 38
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Emmanuel Kuruvilla | Administrator | Named on Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application. |
| Sally Stubbs | Director of Nursing | Named on Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application. |
| Brian Stuhr | Authorized Representative | Signed Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application and listed as Treasurer on Directors and Officers list. |
| Glenn Van Ekeren | Authorized Representative | Signed Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application and listed as President on Directors and Officers list. |
Inspection Report
Renewal
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Feb 28, 2024
Visit Reason
The document is a Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application for Heritage of Emerson, indicating the facility is renewing its license to operate as a Skilled Nursing Facility.
Findings
The document confirms the facility's licensure renewal status and provides ownership, certification, and facility information. No inspection findings or deficiencies are reported.
Report Facts
Total licensed beds: 38
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Matthew Kuruvilla | Administrator | Named on the Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application |
| Melissa Hampson | Director of Nursing | Named on the Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application |
| Brian Stuhr | Treasurer | Named as officer in ownership and board documents |
| Glenn Van Ekeren | President | Named as officer in ownership and board documents |
Inspection Report
Renewal
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Mar 23, 2023
Visit Reason
The document is a Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application for Heritage of Emerson, indicating the facility's request to renew its license for continued operation.
Findings
The document certifies that Heritage of Emerson meets statutory requirements for licensure renewal as a skilled nursing facility with dual certification. It includes ownership information, facility capacity, and licensing details.
Report Facts
Total licensed beds: 38
Renewal license fee: 1550
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Named in the Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application. |
| Fran Pickering | Director of Nursing | Named in the Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application. |
Inspection Report
Renewal
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Mar 5, 2021
Visit Reason
The document is a Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application and related certification and occupancy permit for Heritage of Emerson, indicating the renewal of the facility's license and compliance with statutory requirements.
Findings
The documents certify that Heritage of Emerson meets statutory requirements for licensure renewal as a skilled nursing facility with physical, occupational, and speech therapy services. The occupancy permit confirms a maximum capacity of 38 beds.
Report Facts
Number of beds to be relicensed: 38
Maximum Occupancy: 38
Renewal Licensure Fee: 1550
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Named on Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application |
| Fran Pickering | Director of Nursing | Named on Nursing Home Licensure Renewal Application |
Document
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: Aug 22, 2019
Visit Reason
The letter serves to amend the Health Insurance Benefits Agreement to update the certified bed assignments and counts as requested by the facility.
Findings
The agreement updates the certified bed locations and confirms a total of 38 Medicare certified beds as of September 1, 2019, reflecting changes from the previous agreement dated April 21, 2008.
Report Facts
Certified beds: 38
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Vogt | Program Manager | Signed the letter amending the Health Insurance Benefits Agreement |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 31
Deficiencies: 3
Date: Dec 3, 2018
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was conducted to investigate a complaint at Heritage Of Emerson on December 3, 2018, regarding allegations that the facility failed to protect residents from injury and failed to ensure that the Minimum Data Set reflects residents' overall care.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation was triggered by allegations that the facility failed to protect residents from injury and failed to ensure the Minimum Data Set reflects residents' overall care. The investigation included review of resident records, observation of care, and interviews with residents, family, and staff. The complaint was substantiated with findings of deficiencies.
Findings
The facility failed to protect residents from injury by not assessing causal factors of falls and not developing additional interventions to prevent further falls for one resident. Additionally, the facility failed to ensure the Minimum Data Set (MDS) accurately reflected a resident's fall history. The facility also failed to submit an investigation to the State Agency within 5 working days after a resident had a fall with injury requiring medical treatment.
Deficiencies (3)
Failed to submit an investigation to the State Agency within 5 working days after a resident had a fall with injury requiring medical treatment.
Failed to ensure the Minimum Data Set (MDS) accurately reflected a resident's fall history.
Failed to assess causal factors and develop additional interventions for the prevention of falls for one resident.
Report Facts
Sample size: 4
Facility census: 31
Length of laceration: 6
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Connie Vogt | Program Manager - Office of LTC Facilities - Licensure Unit - Division of Public Health - DHHS | Signed letter regarding complaint investigation |
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Facility administrator addressed in the report |
| Director of Nurses | Interviewed confirming MDS and fall intervention deficiencies |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 32
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 7
Date: Oct 22, 2018
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was conducted to investigate a complaint and annual survey at Heritage Of Emerson on October 22-25, 2018, including review of resident records, observation of care and services, and interviews with residents, family, and staff.
Complaint Details
The complaint alleged the facility failed to protect residents from abuse. The investigation found no violation related to abuse; the facility was in compliance with abuse protection regulations.
Findings
The facility was found to be in compliance with abuse protection regulations. However, deficiencies were found related to food safety practices including failure of dietary staff to sanitize hands, undated food items, and improper food handling. Life safety code deficiencies were also identified including missing exit signage, hazardous area enclosure issues, fire alarm system reliability, sprinkler system maintenance, fire drill scheduling, and generator gas valve security.
Deficiencies (7)
Dietary staff failed to sanitize hands after contact with residents and non-sanitized objects; undated and outdated food items found in refrigerators.
Exit sign missing on the exit gate from the courtyard.
Holes in ceiling of linen storage closet and room 208 compromising smoke barrier.
No locking device installed on electrical circuit breaker supplying fire alarm panel.
Build-up of dust and lint on fire sprinkler head behind clothes dryer in laundry room.
Fire drills not conducted under varied conditions; drills on same shift not spaced at least one hour apart.
Gas supply valve to emergency generator not secured in open position.
Report Facts
Facility census: 32
Total licensed capacity: 38
Date of inspection: 2018-10-22 to 2018-10-25
Deficiency completion dates: Dec 9, 2018
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Named as facility administrator in complaint letter and civil rights compliance form |
| Connie Vogt | Program Manager - Office of LTC Facilities - Licensure Unit - Division of Public Health - DHHS | Signed complaint investigation letter |
| Maintenance Staff A | Interviewed regarding life safety deficiencies and confirmed findings | |
| Administrative Staff A | Interviewed regarding life safety deficiencies and confirmed findings | |
| Dietary Aid A | Observed failing to sanitize hands during meal service |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 30
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 10
Date: Aug 28, 2017
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was conducted to investigate a complaint and annual survey at Heritage Of Emerson on August 28, 2017-August 31, 2017, by representatives of the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Public Health.
Complaint Details
The complaint investigation was triggered by allegations that the facility failed to immediately report allegations of neglect, failed to ensure incidents were immediately reported to supervisors, failed to ensure staff were awake during shifts, and failed to maintain essential equipment/areas. The investigation confirmed failures in reporting neglect and incident notification for Residents 13 and 36.
Findings
The facility failed to immediately report allegations of neglect for Residents 13 and 36, failed to ensure incidents were immediately reported to supervisors for Resident 36, but ensured staff were awake during shifts and maintained essential equipment/areas. Additional findings included failure to revise care plans timely for fall interventions, failure to address pain and pressure ulcer interventions, failure to prevent an avoidable pressure ulcer for Resident 8, failure to justify catheter use for Resident 36, failure to implement fall prevention interventions for Resident 11, failure to evaluate Resident 14 for self-administration of medications, failure to maintain cleanliness in the kitchen, and life safety code violations related to hazardous area enclosures, fire extinguishers, smoke barrier walls, and fire drills.
Deficiencies (10)
Failure to immediately report allegations of neglect for Residents 13 and 36.
Failure to revise care plans with new fall interventions for Residents 24 and 11, failure to address pain for Resident 4, and failure to update pressure ulcer interventions for Resident 8.
Failure to prevent an avoidable pressure ulcer for Resident 8 and failure to accurately assess pressure ulcer staging for Resident 36.
Failure to have justification for catheter use for Resident 36.
Failure to implement fall prevention interventions for Resident 11 and failure to evaluate Resident 14 for self-administration of medications.
Failure to maintain cleanliness of kitchen floor, food holding door handles, robot coupe and nutrabullet, and failure to date items removed from freezer.
Failure to provide smoke resistant partitions to separate hazardous areas from other parts of the building allowing smoke migration into exit corridor.
Failure to provide placard for Class K fire extinguisher and failure to have portable fire extinguishers serviced yearly.
Failure to maintain smoke barrier walls to resist passage of smoke for 2 of 2 smoke barriers.
Failure to hold fire drills under varied conditions for one of three shifts for 4 of 4 quarters reviewed.
Report Facts
Deficiencies cited: 10
Facility census: 30
Total licensed capacity: 38
Pressure ulcer measurements: 2.5
Pressure ulcer measurements: 1
Pressure ulcer measurements: 1
Pressure ulcer measurements: 1.5
Pressure ulcer measurements: 0.6
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Named in the cover letter and correspondence. |
| Eve Lewis | RNC, Program Manager - Office of LTC Facilities - Licensure Unit - Division of Public Health - DHHS | Signed the complaint investigation letter. |
| John Smith | Director of Nursing | Named in findings related to reporting neglect and staff sleeping. |
Inspection Report
Routine
Census: 28
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Jul 20, 2016
Visit Reason
Routine inspection of Heritage of Emerson, Inc., a skilled nursing facility, to assess compliance with regulations governing licensure and care standards.
Findings
The facility was found deficient in ensuring follow-up and appropriate treatment for a resident with contractures and limited range of motion. The facility failed to provide timely restorative therapy and did not schedule necessary neurology follow-up appointments. The facility was otherwise in compliance with life safety code requirements.
Deficiencies (1)
Facility staff failed to ensure follow-up was complete regarding recommended services related to contractures for Resident 8, including restorative range of motion therapy and neurology appointments.
Report Facts
Facility census: 28
Licensed capacity: 38
Deficiencies cited: 1
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Haugenberger | Administrator | Signed Civil Rights Compliance Form and facility administrator |
| Roberta Sorensen | Completed Facility Staffing form | |
| LPN A | Licensed Practical Nurse | Interviewed regarding Resident 8's contractures and care |
| RN C | Registered Nurse | Interviewed regarding appointment scheduling for Resident 8 |
| Social Worker | Interviewed regarding appointment scheduling for Resident 8 | |
| Director of Nursing | Director of Nursing | Interviewed and confirmed deficiencies in restorative care and follow-up |
Inspection Report
Complaint Investigation
Census: 29
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Jan 12, 2016
Visit Reason
An unannounced visit was conducted to investigate a complaint survey regarding allegations that the facility failed to protect residents from abuse.
Complaint Details
The complaint alleged the facility failed to protect residents from abuse. The investigation found the facility did protect residents from abuse and was in compliance with regulatory guidelines.
Findings
The facility was found to protect residents from abuse, with caring interactions observed and interviews confirming residents felt safe. The facility investigated allegations appropriately and complied with regulatory guidelines. However, a deficiency was found related to nurse aide registry verification for contracted staff.
Deficiencies (1)
Facility failed to ensure all staff utilized from a staffing agency were listed on the Nurse Aide Registry, specifically a contracted Nursing Assistant was not listed on the state registry.
Report Facts
Facility census: 29
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Eve Lewis | Program Manager - Office of LTC Facilities - Licensure Unit - Division of Public Health - DHHS | Signed the complaint investigation report |
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Facility administrator addressed in the report |
| NA-A | Nursing Assistant | Contracted staff found not listed on Nurse Aide Registry |
| DON | Director of Nursing | Interviewed regarding nurse aide registry verification |
Inspection Report
Life Safety
Census: 35
Deficiencies: 1
Date: Jun 9, 2015
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted to assess compliance with the Life Safety Code of the National Fire Protection Association, specifically regarding smoke resistance in hazardous areas.
Findings
The facility failed to maintain smoke resistance in a hazard area due to a housekeeping storage room door being fastened open with a rubber strap, compromising smoke tightness and putting residents at risk.
Deficiencies (1)
Failure to maintain smoke resistance in a hazard area due to a housekeeping storage room door being fastened open with a rubber strap.
Report Facts
Resident census: 35
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance A | Interviewed confirming the door was fastened open and there was a lack of smoke tightness |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 34
Deficiencies: 3
Date: May 21, 2014
Visit Reason
The inspection was an annual survey conducted to assess compliance with regulations governing skilled nursing facilities, nursing facilities, and intermediate care facilities, including treatment to prevent and heal pressure sores and life safety code compliance.
Findings
The facility was found deficient in maintaining smoke resistance in a hazardous area, failure to implement assessed interventions to prevent pressure ulcers for one resident, and failure to maintain and document proper emergency generator testing. Additionally, the facility was cited for nutritional deficiencies related to pureed food preparation but this was later dismissed after informal dispute resolution.
Deficiencies (3)
Failed to maintain smoke resistance for a hazardous area, specifically a door to the clean linen door to the laundry room did not latch tightly allowing potential smoke passage.
Failed to implement assessed interventions to prevent pressure ulcers for Resident 29, including failure to monitor skin under right leg immobilizer every 4 hours as ordered.
Failed to maintain emergency generator by monthly testing to at least 30% of the nameplate rating for 30 minutes and failed to conduct an annual load bank test.
Report Facts
Census: 34
Pressure ulcers: 2
Pressure ulcer size: 1.5
Pressure ulcer size: 0.5
Pressure ulcer size: 4
Pressure ulcer size: 0.6
Fine amounts: 2700
Fine amounts: 1200
Fine amounts: 1450
Fine amounts: 900
Fine amounts: 1300
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Named in relation to findings and plan of correction |
| Eve Lewis | Program Manager | Signed informal dispute resolution correspondence |
| Kimberly A. Divis | RN, NSSC II | Conducted informal dispute resolution conference |
| Jennifer Thomsen | Certified Dietary Manager | Participant in informal dispute resolution conference |
| Maintenance Staff A | Confirmed deficiencies related to door latch and generator testing |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 31
Deficiencies: 4
Date: Feb 14, 2013
Visit Reason
Annual inspection of Heritage of Emerson, Inc. nursing facility to assess compliance with Nebraska Administrative Code and federal regulations including care planning, infection control, and life safety code.
Findings
The facility failed to develop and implement comprehensive care plans addressing Resident 10's pain management, failed to provide adequate pain control measures, and failed to implement infection control policies for Residents 10 and 21 related to C-Difficile precautions. Additionally, the facility failed to provide separation of a hazardous area with a self-closing corridor door as required by life safety code.
Deficiencies (4)
Failed to develop comprehensive care plans addressing Resident 10's pain management.
Failed to provide care and services to attain or maintain highest well-being related to pain control for Resident 10.
Failed to establish and maintain an infection control program preventing spread of infection for Residents 10 and 21, including failure to wear gowns and properly disinfect equipment related to C-Difficile.
Failed to provide separation of a hazardous area from all other areas with a corridor door having a self-closing device.
Report Facts
Facility census: 31
Pain medication administrations: 17
Residents in sample: 25
Residents with pressure ulcers: 1
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| RN A | Registered Nurse | Observed providing wound care and interviewed regarding Resident 10's pain management |
| NA B | Nursing Assistant | Interviewed regarding Resident 10's pain complaints during movement |
| NA D | Nursing Assistant | Observed transferring Resident 10 and providing care without gowns during C-Difficile precautions |
| NA E | Nursing Assistant | Observed transferring Resident 10 and providing care without gowns during C-Difficile precautions; bathed Resident 21 after Resident 10 |
| Maintenance A | Maintenance Staff | Interviewed regarding missing self-closing device on corridor door |
| Director of Nursing | Director of Nursing | Interviewed confirming infection control policy violations and corrective actions |
Inspection Report
Annual Inspection
Census: 32
Deficiencies: 11
Date: Oct 20, 2011
Visit Reason
Annual inspection of Heritage of Emerson, Inc. nursing facility to assess compliance with infection control, life safety code, and other regulatory requirements.
Findings
The facility was found deficient in infection control practices related to hand washing and gloving during resident care, incomplete and inaccurate clinical records, failure to maintain life safety code standards including fire safety door closures, emergency lighting testing, fire drills, sprinkler system maintenance, kitchen hood compliance, generator testing, and electrical wiring safety.
Deficiencies (11)
Failure to utilize proper hand washing and gloving techniques to prevent cross contamination during care for residents.
Failure to maintain complete and accurate clinical records including skin assessments and documentation of wound causation.
Failure to provide self-closing doors that latch in door frames to separate hazardous areas, allowing fire and smoke migration.
Exit access not readily accessible at all times due to delayed egress door failing to open within required time and not releasing with fire alarm.
Failure to test emergency lighting monthly and annually for 90 minutes.
Failure to conduct fire drills quarterly at unexpected times on all shifts.
Failure to provide sprinkler coverage for canopy made of combustible materials exceeding 4 feet in length.
Failure to maintain automatic sprinkler system in reliable operating condition; sprinkler heads corroded, dirty, and bell obstructed by bird nest materials.
Failure to maintain and test emergency generator power supply monthly for minimum 30 minutes under load.
Electrical outlets next to sink in staff break room not GFCI protected.
Kitchen exhaust hood not seamless or without rivets allowing grease buildup.
Report Facts
Facility census: 32
Sample size: 10
Fire drills missing: 1
Canopy length: 4
Generator test duration: 30
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance A | Verified observations related to fire safety door, emergency lighting, sprinkler system, fire drills, generator testing, and electrical outlets | |
| Director of Nursing | DON | Interviewed regarding infection control observations and clinical record deficiencies |
| Nursing Assistant NA-B | Observed failing to wash hands or use gloves properly during resident care | |
| Nursing Assistant NA-C | Observed failing to wash hands between glove changes during resident care |
Document
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: APP2017
Visit Reason
The document serves as a renewal application for the nursing home license of Heritage of Emerson, Inc., including verification of licensure, ownership information, and occupancy permit details.
Findings
No inspection findings or deficiencies are reported in this document. It primarily contains administrative and licensing information, including ownership details and facility capacity.
Report Facts
Total licensed beds: 38
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Named in the nursing home licensure renewal application. |
| Sherri Gothier | Director of Nursing | Named in the nursing home licensure renewal application. |
| Jack D. Vetter | President | Listed as President and Board of Directors member of Vetter Holding, Inc. and related corporations. |
| Eldora D. Vetter | Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary | Listed as Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary of Vetter Holding, Inc. and related corporations. |
| Todd D. Vetter | Assistant Secretary, Secretary | Listed as Assistant Secretary and Secretary of Vetter Holding, Inc. and related corporations. |
| Glenn Van Ekeren | President | Listed as President of Vetter Health Services, Inc. |
| Shari Terry | Chief Operations Officer | Listed as Chief Operations Officer of Vetter Health Services, Inc. |
| Rhonda Flanigan | Chief People Officer | Listed as Chief People Officer of Vetter Health Services, Inc. |
Notice
Capacity: 38
Deficiencies: 0
Date: APP2019
Visit Reason
This document serves to verify that the SNF/NF dual certification license for Heritage of Emerson is renewed through the date indicated on the renewal card and includes the occupancy permit issued by the Nebraska State Fire Marshal.
Findings
The document confirms the facility meets statutory requirements for licensure and certification, with no deficiencies or inspection findings noted. It also includes ownership and corporate officer information and the facility's maximum occupancy as 38 beds.
Report Facts
Total licensed beds: 38
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Shellee Huggenberger | Administrator | Listed as facility administrator on relicensing form |
| Sherri Brown | Director of Nursing | Listed as Director of Nursing on relicensing form |
| Bo Botelho | Interim CEO, Interim Director of Public Health | Signed licensure verification document |
| Jack D. Vetter | Chairman of the Board and CEO | Listed as board chairman and CEO of parent corporation |
| Eldora D. Vetter | Secretary | Listed as secretary of parent corporation |
| Glenn Van Ekeren | President | Listed as president of parent corporation |
| Brian Stuhr | Treasurer | Listed as treasurer of parent corporation |
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