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The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
The Overall CMS Rating is scored from 1 to 5 stars and combines results from health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Dedicated to providing high-quality senior living, Southern Hills Specialty Care in West Lakes Parkway, West Des Moines, IA, is a reliable senior living community that offers a wide range of care services. These include assisted living, memory care, skilled care, therapy services, wound care management, and hospice. With a team of compassionate and highly skilled professionals delivering top-tier care and assistance around the clock, seniors can thrive and live their lives to the fullest.
A variety of planned activities and engaging programs are also provided to ensure residents have fun and meet friends. Special diets are also accommodated to ensure health needs and cravings are met through delicious and nutritious meals. Southern Hills Specialty Care is great for seniors looking to make the most out of their best years.
The Overall CMS Rating combines results from health inspections, staffing levels and quality measures. Health inspections carry the most weight. Staffing and quality scores can increase or decrease the final rating based on performance compared to state and national standards.
Based on the results of the facility's three most recent standard inspections and any complaint investigations. CMS reviews the number, scope, and severity of deficiencies, with more recent findings weighted more heavily.
Measures average nursing staff hours per resident per day, including Registered Nurses (RNs) and total nursing staff. Ratings are adjusted based on the level of care residents require and are compared to state and national benchmarks.
Based on clinical and physical health indicators reported to CMS, such as hospital readmissions, falls, pressure ulcers, and improvements in mobility. These measures reflect how well residents' health needs are being managed.
Daily nursing hours per resident by staff type, reported to CMS. Higher is generally better — compare this facility to state and national averages to see where staffing stands.
This home is ranked 183rd out of 224 homes in Iowa.| Staff type | Hours / day | vs state avg |
|---|---|---|
|
Registered Nurse (RN)
RNs hold the highest nursing license and can assess residents, interpret test results, and direct care plans. More RN hours per day often signals stronger clinical oversight and faster response to health changes.
| 39m per day | ▼ 11% State avg: 44m per day · National avg: 41m per day |
|
LPN / LVN
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) or Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs) deliver routine hands-on care — medication administration, wound dressing, and monitoring vital signs. They work under RN supervision and make up a large share of daily bedside care.
| 33m per day | ▼ 3% State avg: 34m per day · National avg: 52m per day |
|
Nurse Aide
Certified Nurse Aides (CNAs) provide the most direct day-to-day assistance: bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. Nurse aide hours are typically the largest staffing category and directly affect residents' quality of life.
| 2h 13m per day | ▼ 12% State avg: 2h 32m per day · National avg: 2h 21m per day |
|
Total Nursing (Weekend)
Combined nursing hours (RN + LPN + Nurse Aide) per resident per day on weekends. Staffing often drops on weekends — this figure reveals whether the facility maintains adequate coverage outside of weekday hours.
| 2h 44m per day | ▼ 19% State avg: 3h 21m per day · National avg: 3h 26m per day |
|
Physical Therapist
Hours per resident per day provided by licensed Physical Therapists (PTs) or PT Assistants. PT services help residents recover mobility after injury or illness and are especially important for post-acute (short-stay) rehabilitation.
| 1m per day | ▼ 50% State avg: 2m per day · National avg: 4m per day |
|
RN (Weekend)
Registered nurse hours specifically on weekends. Facilities sometimes reduce RN presence on Saturdays and Sundays — a low weekend RN figure compared to weekday hours can indicate reduced clinical oversight when most administrative staff are absent.
| 18m per day | ▼ 40% State avg: 30m per day · National avg: 29m per day |
Most residents typically stay for a few weeks or months before returning home or moving on.
44% of new residents, usually for short-term rehab.
43% of new residents, often for short stays.
13% of new residents, often for long-term daily care.
The portion of the home's budget spent on staff, including nurses, caregivers, and other employees who support care and operations.
Rank #74 / 226Payroll — state benchmarkedThis home is ranked 74th out of 226 homes in Iowa.Shows total annual staff payroll benchmarked to the Iowa average. Higher payroll investment relative to peers often signals better staffing and less reliance on cheaper contract labor.
All remaining costs needed to run the home, such as food, utilities, building maintenance, supplies and administrative expenses.
Higher than the Iowa average: 75.4%Southern Hills Specialty Care is administrated by Tammy Bushong.
Total Residents: 90
Building Type: Single-story
In Iowa, the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing conducts unannounced health and safety surveys to monitor compliance and protect residents in long-term care settings.
The data displayed corresponds to the last 7 years.
Inspections are mandatory, regular evaluations conducted by state health departments or regulatory agencies. They ensure the community provides safe, compliant care, covering areas like resident health, staff and management.
11 visits/inspections triggered by complaints
Iowa average: 17 visits/inspections
Iowa average: 0 inspections
Deficiencies indicate regulatory issues. A higher number implies the facility had several areas requiring improvement.
Iowa average: 27 deficiencies
The most recent inspection on October 28, 2025, found the facility in substantial compliance with no deficiencies. Earlier inspections showed a pattern of deficiencies related mainly to resident safety, abuse prevention, infection control, and food service practices. Several complaint investigations were substantiated over time, including issues with injury assessment, abuse prevention, and communication with family members, but fines or license actions were not listed in the available reports. The facility submitted multiple plans of correction that were accepted, and some prior deficiencies were corrected on re-inspection. The overall trend shows ongoing challenges with compliance in key areas, though recent findings indicate some improvement.
Iowa average 4.9
Last Health inspection on Aug 2025
Iowa average 21.7
Iowa average 4.11
Health citations are formal notices following inspections when they fail to comply with safety and care standards.
5 of 8 citations resulted from standard inspections; 2 of 8 resulted from complaint investigations; and 1 of 8 came from combined inspections (standard and complaint).
100% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.6
0
100% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.9
Issues related to protecting resident's from harm, including abuse, neglect, or mistreatment.
Aug 21, 2025
Corrected
Issues related to how the facility is managed, including policies, procedures, and compliance with regulations.
Aug 21, 2025
Corrected
Issues related to preventing and controlling infections, including hygiene practices and safety protocols.
Aug 21, 2025
Corrected
Issues related to food quality, meal service, and resident's nutritional needs.
Aug 21, 2025
Corrected
Data sourced from CMS Health Deficiencies reports. Citation severity codes range from A (least serious) to L (most serious). Immediate Jeopardy (J-L) citations indicate situations where the facility's noncompliance has placed residents at risk of death or serious harm.
Southern Hills Specialty Care is located in Osceola, Iowa.
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1.4 miles from city center
Estimated distance in miles from Osceola's city center to Southern Hills Specialty Care's address, calculated via Google Maps.
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This data corresponds to Q2 2025 and is based on CMS Payroll-Based Journal.
24% worse than Iowa averageIowa average ratio: 2.00:1
5% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 7.4 hours
Manages medical care and health needs.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
8 hoursNo contractors work on this role.
Assists with medical care and medications.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
8.8 hoursNo contractors work on this role.
Helps with daily care and mobility.
Average shift length. Calculated as total hours divided by days worked and average staff per day.
7.9 hoursNo contractors work on this role.
Total hours from contractors
1,159 contractor hours this quarter
| Certified Nursing Assistant | 55 | 0 | 55 | 14,721 | 91 | 100% | 7.9 |
| Registered Nurse | 26 | 0 | 26 | 3,864 | 91 | 100% | 8 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | 15 | 0 | 15 | 3,142 | 91 | 100% | 8.8 |
| Medication Aide/Technician | 9 | 0 | 9 | 2,612 | 91 | 100% | 8.2 |
| Clinical Nurse Specialist | 5 | 0 | 5 | 800 | 69 | 76% | 8.1 |
| Other Dietary Services Staff | 3 | 0 | 3 | 706 | 72 | 79% | 6.7 |
| Administrator | 1 | 0 | 1 | 512 | 64 | 70% | 8 |
| Nurse Practitioner | 2 | 0 | 2 | 512 | 62 | 68% | 8 |
| Dietitian | 1 | 0 | 1 | 466 | 63 | 69% | 7.4 |
| Mental Health Service Worker | 1 | 0 | 1 | 446 | 58 | 64% | 7.7 |
| Speech Language Pathologist | 0 | 3 | 3 | 407 | 65 | 71% | 5.5 |
| Physical Therapy Assistant | 0 | 2 | 2 | 378 | 62 | 68% | 6 |
| Qualified Social Worker | 0 | 2 | 2 | 202 | 38 | 42% | 5.3 |
| Respiratory Therapy Technician | 0 | 1 | 1 | 106 | 27 | 30% | 3.9 |
| RN Director of Nursing | 1 | 0 | 1 | 58 | 5 | 5% | 11.5 |
| Medical Director | 0 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 3 | 3% | 14 |
| Physical Therapy Aide | 0 | 1 | 1 | 24 | 13 | 14% | 1.9 |
| Occupational Therapy Aide | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 6 | 7% | 2.3 |
Source: CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics (Data as of Jan 2026)
Total residents
86Residents meet regularly to discuss policies, care quality, and activities
Organized group of residents that meets regularly to discuss facility policies, quality of life, and activities.
Data sourced from CMS Long-Term Care Facility Characteristics quarterly report. Payer mix reflects the current resident census by primary payment source.
These measures show how residents usually do over time at this home, based on health outcomes and preventive care.
A composite score based on pressure ulcers, falls with injury, weight loss, walking ability decline, and activities of daily living decline.
7.4
28% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 10.2
A composite score based on activities of daily living decline, walking ability decline, and incontinence.
18.6
14% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 21.6
CMS star rating based on long-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = significantly above average, 1 star = significantly below average.
Percent of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
12.9%
31% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 18.8%
Percent of long-stay residents whose ability to move independently worsened
16.0%
18% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 19.7%
Percent of low risk long-stay residents who lose control of their bowels or bladder
27.0%
In line with Iowa averageIowa average: 26.2%
Percent of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
4.6%
28% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 3.6%
Percent of long-stay high risk residents with pressure ulcers
1.6%
64% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 4.4%
Percent of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
2.8%
13% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 2.5%
Percent of long-stay residents who lose too much weight
1.9%
62% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 5.0%
Percent of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms
1.1%
73% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 3.9%
Percent of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
22.0%
16% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 19.0%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
96.9%
In line with Iowa averageIowa average: 94.4%
Percent of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
96.6%
In line with Iowa averageIowa average: 95.3%
Number of hospitalizations per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
2.37
60% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 1.48
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1,000 long-stay resident days.
2.86
37% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 2.09
CMS star rating based on short-stay quality measure performance. 5 stars = much above average, 1 star = much below average.
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine
86.1%
In line with Iowa averageIowa average: 85.1%
Percent of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
0.0%
100% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 1.8%
Percent of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine
81.5%
11% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 73.3%
Percentage of short-stay residents who were re-hospitalized after their nursing home admission.
22.7%
6% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 21.4%
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit.
10.7%
18% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 13.1%
Percentage of SNF residents who experience falls with major injury during their stay.
0.0%
100% better than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.8%
Percentage of residents at or above expected ability to care for themselves at discharge.
32.0%
40% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 53.7%
Rate of successful return to home or community from a skilled nursing facility.
46.6%
8% worse than Iowa averageIowa average: 50.6%
Quality measures are calculated from Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. For most measures, lower percentages indicate better care quality.
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)
23% lower than Iowa averageIowa average: $48K
41% fewer fines than Iowa averageIowa average: 1.7
Serious action where Medicare and/or Medicaid temporarily stops payments for new residents until issues are fixed.
0
100% fewer payment denials than Iowa averageIowa average: 0.5
Penalties are imposed by CMS for violations of federal nursing home regulations.
1 penalty in the past 3 years
Aug 18, 2024 · $37K
Fines imposed for noncompliance, which can be assessed per day or per instance of violation.
Aug 18, 2024Last updated: Jan 2026
| Heritage House |
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk.
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care). | Atlantic | 108 | 87.8% | +16% | 5.10 | -25% | +19% | 0 | 10 | 5.0 | - | 54 | 73 | - | $11.6M | $5.4M | 46.5% | 165561 | ||||
| Southern Hills Specialty Care |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care).
AL Assisted Living A licensed, long-term care setting for seniors or individuals with disabilities who need help with daily activities — like bathing, dressing, and medication management — but not 24-hour skilled nursing. Offers housing, meals, and around-the-clock support while aiming to maximize resident independence.
IL Independent Living Lifestyle-focused communities for older adults offering dining, activities, and transportation with minimal personal care. Best for active, independent seniors who want community without medical support.
MC Memory Care Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. Staff trained in cognitive impairment, with higher staff-to-resident ratios and an environment designed to reduce confusion and wandering risk. | Osceola | 90 | 92.6% | +23% | 3.66 | +73% | -15% | 3 | 8 | 2.0 | - | 86 | 3 | Klouse, Eric | $13.9M | $3.9M | 28.3% | 165293 | ||||
| Atlantic Specialty Care |
NH Nursing Home Licensed facility providing 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. Staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs. Inspected and star-rated annually by CMS. Accepts Medicare (short-term rehab) and Medicaid (long-term care). | Atlantic | - | 79.0% | +5% | 3.95 | - | -8% | 0 | - | - | - | 62 | 9 | Muhlbauer, Leah | $12.4M | $3.1M | 25.1% | 165288 |
Historical financial and operational data for Southern Hills Specialty Care based on CMS SNF Cost Reports.
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Southern Hills Specialty Care has a walk score of 3. Car-dependent. Most errands require a car, with limited nearby walkable options.
According to IA state health department records, Southern Hills Specialty Care's license number is 200593.
According to IA state health department records, Southern Hills Specialty Care's license expires on January 8, 2026.
The team at Southern Hills Specialty Care can be reached at [email protected].
Tammy Bushong is the administrator of Southern Hills Specialty Care.
Southern Hills Specialty Care has 90 beds.
Southern Hills Specialty Care is located at 444 N W View Dr, Osceola, IA 50213, United States.
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