Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare
1201 17th Street Ne, Austin, MN 55912 · Mower County · (507) 434-8537
45 certified beds, about 45 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1986
CMS high performing icon Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
5 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
5 of 5
Quality measures
5 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 245317 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on January 29, 2026, inspectors cited 0 health deficiencies (the Minnesota average is 7.1, the national average 9.2).
Of 14 health citations since December 2023, 1 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents (1 immediate jeopardy).
CMS lists 1 fine totaling $21,645 in the last three years; the largest was $21,645, and the latest is dated March 6, 2025.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 4.04 hours per resident per day, against 4.19 across Minnesota and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.92 of those hours.
28.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Minnesota average 42.2%).
CMS links it to Good Samaritan Society, an affiliated group of 92 nursing homes.
Health inspections
Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.
Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.
812/23
211/24
303/25
103/25
001/26
Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit
Where its citations fall on CMS's grid
CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 14 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
1J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
11D
1E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
1C
January 29, 2026Standard inspection · 0 citations
March 27, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- J Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to ensure a system to provide the correct physician ordered diet texture for 1 of 3 residents (R1) who was at risk for choking and had a history of dysphagia. This resulted in an Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) for R1 and had the likelihood to effect current and future residents who required changes to textured diets to prevent choking/aspiration. Additionally, the facility failed to include on the diet slip the complete dietary allergies for 1 of 1 residents (R3) who had a severe peanut allergy. The IJ began on 3/19/25, when R1 was served an International Dysphagia Diet Standard Initiative (IDDSI) Level 7 regular textured diet for breakfast instead of the recommended IDDSI Level 6. The Administrator and director of nursing (DON) were notified of the PNC IJ on 3/27/25 at 3:22 p.m. [...]
March 6, 2025Complaint inspection · 3 citations
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to comprehensively assess, monitor, and implement interventions for 1 of 1 (R1) resident following a fall.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review the facility failed to comprehensively assess each fall, identify causal factors to determine the reason for fall, identify appropriate individualized interventions to prevent or decrease the risk of future falls for 2 of 3 residents (R1 and R5) reviewed for falls.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to ensure enhanced barrier precautions (EBP-where gown and gloves used for high contact resident care activities) was used for 1 of 3 residents(R3) observed for EBP. In addition, the facility failed to ensure handwashing/hand hygiene was implemented for 2 of 7 residents (R6, R7) observed for handwashing/hand hygiene.
November 7, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure the Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice-Centers for Medicare and Medicaid-10055 (SNFABN-CMS-10055) was provided to 2 of 3 residents (R99, R100) reviewed for beneficiary notices.
- D Honor 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.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure necessary maintenance services were performed for 1 of 5 residents (R4) reviewed for a home-like environment.
December 28, 2023Standard inspection · 8 citations
- E Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure meals were served in a warm, palatable manner to promote quality of life and nutritional intake for 2 of 2 residents (R95, R100) reviewed on the short-term stay (i.e., TCU) unit. This had potential to affect a total 11 of 11 residents identified to reside on the unit where the meals were served.
- D Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure wishes and directives for emergency treatment (i.e., cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) were obtained upon admission and kept readily-accessible to ensure appropriate care would be provided for 1 of 1 resident (R96) reviewed for advanced directives. Findings Include: R96's admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment, dated [DATE], indicated R96 had impaired cognition and diagnoses included hypertension (high blood pressure), mild cognitive impairment, shortness of breath, anemia (low red blood cells), and gastrointestinal hemorrhage (a bleed in the digestive tract). Further, the MDS indicated he was independent with mobility, personal hygiene, and eating; and admitted to the care center on [DATE]. [...]
- D Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure the significant change in status Minimum Data Set (MDS; i.e., a comprehensive assessment) was completed in a thorough manner to ensure areas of cognition and depressive symptoms were fully evaluated for 1 of 4 residents (R13) reviewed for MDS accuracy.
- D Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure the quarterly Minimum Data Set (MDS) was completed in a thorough manner to ensure areas of cognition and depressive symptoms were screened and, if needed, fully evaluated for 2 of 4 residents (R3, R28) reviewed for MDS accuracy.
- D Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure a comprehensive care plan was developed to reflect resident' condition with assessed bowel incontinence and consumed, high-risk medications to promote continuity of care and reduce the risk of complication for 1 of 2 residents (R95) reviewed for care planning.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to comprehensively reassess and develop interventions to provide adequate interventions and supervision for 1 of 1 residents (R96) after found smoking in the facility.
- D Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure recommended pneumococcal vaccinations, as outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), were offered and/or provided in a timely manner to reduce the risk of severe disease for 2 of 5 residents (R13, R27) reviewed for immunizations.
- C Post nurse staffing information every day.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure the required nurse staffing information was posted on a daily basis. This had the potential to affect all 35 residents residing in the facility and/or visitors who may wish to view the information.
Fire safety inspections
17 fire safety citations on file: 6 on January 29, 2026, 4 on November 7, 2024, 7 on December 28, 2023.
Every fire safety citation17 citations
- F Have exits that are accessible at all times.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- F To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk.
- F Have exits that are accessible at all times.
- F Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating.
- F Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- C Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- F Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- F Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations.
- F Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- D Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- C Address patient/client population and determine types of services needed.
- C Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Fines and payment denials
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| March 6, 2025 | Fine | $21,645 |
A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stopped paying for new admissions for that period.
Staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 4.04 | 4.19 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.92 | 1.06 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.70 | 3.71 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.60 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.51 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 28.3% | 42.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 18.2% | 38.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 3.17 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.
Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records
Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 4.17 on weekdays and 3.70 on weekends, 11% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 4.41 in April to June 2025 to 4.04 in January to March 2026.
| Quarter | All nursing staff | Registered nurses | Weekdays | Weekends | Contract staff share | Days with no RN hours | Residents a day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.04 | 0.92 | 4.17 | 3.70 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 45 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.06 | 0.94 | 4.14 | 3.83 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 43 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.38 | 0.93 | 4.50 | 4.08 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 40 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.41 | 1.02 | 4.58 | 3.97 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 41 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Minnesota, Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.19 | 1.05 | 4.38 | 3.73 | 5.2% | 0.8% of days |
Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.
Quality measures
The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 18.1 | 18.2 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.0 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.7 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.7 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 32.3 | 20.5 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 8.4 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 9.5 | 17.1 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 18.1 | 23.5 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 13.6 | 14.8 | 12.0 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY. CMS links this home to Good Samaritan Society, a group of 92 nursing homes averaging 3.1 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 01/01/2019 |
| The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society | 5% or greater indirect ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 01/01/2019 |
| Brown, George | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Dykhouse, Dana | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Engbrecht, Wesley | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Gassen, William | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Gulsvig, Neil | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Lundeen, Mark | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| McCausland, Maureen | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Molbert, Lauris | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| North, Andrew | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Schieffer, Kevin | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Shulkin, David | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Teiken, Brent | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Ventling-Herrmann, Marnie | Corporate director | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Wenzel, Thomas | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Fluit, Joel | Corporate officer | Individual | 10/01/2022 | |
| Gassen, William | Corporate officer | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Middleton, Aimee | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/27/2022 | |
| Olson, Nicholas | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/08/2024 | |
| Schema, Nathan | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Jensen, Reece | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 08/04/2025 | |
| Mittal, Vikas | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/01/2022 | |
| Morrison, Tony | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2019 | |
| Sandgren, Deeandra | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/16/2023 | |
| Dtn Staffing Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 08/02/2024 | |
| Focusone Solutions | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 03/04/2024 | |
| Grape Tree Medical Staffing LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 04/13/2018 | |
| Sanford | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 03/27/2025 | |
| The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 01/01/2019 | |
| Thrifty Drug Stores Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 08/01/2017 | |
| Brown, George | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Dykhouse, Dana | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Engbrecht, Wesley | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Fluit, Joel | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 10/01/2022 | |
| Gassen, William | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Gulsvig, Neil | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Herseth Sandlin, Stephanie | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Jensen, Reece | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 08/04/2025 | |
| Lundeen, Mark | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| McCausland, Maureen | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Middleton, Aimee | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/27/2022 | |
| Mittal, Vikas | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/01/2022 | |
| Molbert, Lauris | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Morrison, Tony | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2019 | |
| North, Andrew | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Olson, Nicholas | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 04/08/2024 | |
| Sandgren, Deeandra | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/16/2023 | |
| Schema, Nathan | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2022 | |
| Schieffer, Kevin | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Shulkin, David | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Teiken, Brent | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Ventling-Herrmann, Marnie | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 05/30/2024 | |
| Wenzel, Thomas | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2025 |
As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.
Questions to ask on a visit
Chosen from this home's own inspection record.
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on March 6, 2025: "Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on November 7, 2024: "Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered."
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on December 28, 2023: "Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition"
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on March 27, 2025: "Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.70 hours per resident per day, below the Minnesota average of 3.71.
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- St. Marks Living Austin, 2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 30 citations
- Sacred Heart Care Center Austin, 2.4 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 29 citations
- Prairie Manor Care Center Blooming Prairie, 14.5 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 10 citations
- Field Crest Care Center Hayfield, 15.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 1 citation
- Stacyville Community Nursing Home Stacyville, 18.8 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 38 citations
- Meadow Manor Grand Meadow, 19.1 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 20 citations
- Thorne Crest Retirement Center Albert Lea, 20.2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 36 citations
- Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea Albert Lea, 20.5 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 15 citations
Minnesota contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Minnesota. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Minnesota Department of Health, Health Regulation Division, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- State inspection reports: MDH Nursing and Boarding Care Home Survey and Complaint Inspection Findings, where Minnesota publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare get at its last inspection?
- 0 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on January 29, 2026. The Minnesota average is 7.1.
- Has Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare been fined?
- Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $21,645 in the last three years.
- Does Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare accept Medicaid?
- It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
- Who owns Good Samaritan Society - Comforcare?
- CMS lists 55 owners and managers, and links the home to Good Samaritan Society. Legal business name: THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY.
Sources
- Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
- Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
- Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
- Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
- Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
- Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
- Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
- NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.