Good Samaritan - West Union
201 Hall Street, West Union, IA 52175 · Fayette County · (563) 422-3814
52 certified beds, about 36 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1993
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
3 of 5
Health inspections
3 of 5
Staffing
3 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165187 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on March 12, 2026, inspectors cited 4 health deficiencies (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 13 health citations since May 2024 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.26 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.72 of those hours.
60.0% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).
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.
405/24
210/24
103/25
403/26
205/26
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 13 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
10D
1E
1F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
1B
0C
May 20, 2026Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteBased on electronic health record (EHR), clinical records, facility records, facility policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to timely report an allegation of abuse for 1 of 1 resident reviewed (Resident #2). The facility reported a census of 35 residents. Findings Include:Resident #2's Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE] included a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 8 out of 15, which indicated moderate cognitive impairment. The MDS documented Resident #2 had no hallucinations or delusions. The MDS identified Resident #2 had been occasionally incontinent of urine. The MDS listed diagnoses of renal insufficiency, over-active bladder, non-Alzheimer's dementia, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). [...]
- D Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on electronic health record (EHR) review, clinical records, facility records, facility policy review, and staff interviews the facility failed to submit an updated Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) before the PASRR short term approval end date for 1 of 1 resident reviewed (Resident #2). The facility reported a census of 35 residents. Findings Include:Resident #2's Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment dated [DATE] documented an admission date of 2/25/26. The MDS identified Resident #2 was currently considered by the state level II PASRR process to have a serious mental illness. The MDS included a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 8 out of 15, indicating moderate cognitive impairment. The MDS documented Resident #2 had no hallucinations or delusions. The MDS listed diagnoses of depression, bipolar disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. [...]
March 12, 2026Standard inspection · 4 citations
- D Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review and staff interview the facility failed to provide education and obtain informed consent prior to starting psychotropic medication that have black box warnings (the most serious safety warning used by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and requires the healthcare provider to have a comprehensive discussion with the resident about the risks, benefits and alternatives for use) for 1 of 5 resident sampled (Resident #7). The facility identified a census of 38 residents.
- D Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, document review, policy review and staff interview, the facility failed to serve the Skilled Nursing Facility Advanced Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage (SNF ABN) as required; failed to outline the specific Medicare services that would be ending and failed to document the estimated charges to continue skilled services for 2 of 3 residents sampled (Resident #1 and #13). The SNF ABN Form communicates to a resident and/or legal representative when Medicare services will no longer be covered and they may be liable for payment of services. The facility identified a census of 38 residents.
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, policy review, Long Term Care Facility Resident Assessment Instrument 3.0 User's Manual. Version 1.20.1, dated October 2025 (RAI) review and staff interview the facility failed to correctly code insulin on the Minimum Data Set (MDS) for 1 of 3 residents (Resident #12) reviewed for insulin use. The facility reported a census of 38 residents.
- D Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to implement a revised Restorative Nursing Program (RNP) and failed to provide active assist range of motion (AAROM) per the RNP for 1 of 1 residents sampled (Resident #2). The facility identified a census of 38 residents.
March 13, 2025Standard inspection · 1 citation
- B Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on an electronic health record (EHR) review, policy review, and staff interview, the facility failed to submit a new Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) assessment for 1 of 1 resident reviewed (Resident #14). The facility reported a census of 42 residents.
October 29, 2024Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- F Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff and resident interviews, and observations the facility failed to provide a sufficient number of staff to ensure each resident's call light is answered timely for 5 of 6 residents reviewed (Resident #2, #3, #4, #5, #6). The facility reported a census of 45 residents.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff and resident interviews, and observations the facility failed to provide tuberculosis screening for 2 of 3 new employees reviewed (Staff H and Staff I). The facility reported a census of 45 residents.
May 9, 2024Standard inspection · 4 citations
- E Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to ensure 4 of 5 residents were educated about immunizations and offered the Influenza and Pneumococcal vaccination annually (Resident #20, #39, #15, and #34). The facility reported a census of 38 residents.
- D Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to send appropriate records for a transfer to the local emergency room (ER) for 1 of 1 residents reviewed (Resident #42). The facility reported a census of 38 residents.
- D Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff and pharmacist interview, the facility inaccurately coded 2 of 2 residents Minimum Data Set (MDS) by documenting the residents received insulin during the look back period when they did not (Resident #4 and #10). The facility reported a census of 38 residents.
- D Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review, staff interview, and policy review the facility failed to provide documentation of what interventions were attempted prior to giving as needed (PRN) anti-anxiety medications for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for anti-anxiety medications (Resident #22). The facility reported a census of 38 residents.
Fire safety inspections
19 fire safety citations on file: 5 on March 12, 2026, 4 on March 13, 2025, 10 on May 9, 2024.
Every fire safety citation19 citations
- F Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- F Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
- F Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- F Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
- F Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- F Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- F Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- F Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector.
- E Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
- D Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
Fines and payment denials
CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.
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 | Iowa | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.26 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.72 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.78 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.13 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.41 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 60.0% | 44.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 63.6% | 42.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 3.33 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 3.46 on weekdays and 2.78 on weekends, 20% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 2.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 3.19 in April to June 2025 to 3.26 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 | 3.26 | 0.72 | 3.46 | 2.78 | 2.0% | 0 of 90 | 36 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.14 | 0.68 | 3.29 | 2.75 | 1.0% | 0 of 92 | 38 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.32 | 0.77 | 3.51 | 2.86 | 1.4% | 0 of 92 | 37 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.19 | 0.80 | 3.41 | 2.65 | 5.2% | 0 of 91 | 40 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Iowa, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.80 | 0.71 | 3.98 | 3.36 | 4.7% | 0.3% 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 | Iowa | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 20.2 | 17.1 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.5 | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.7 | 3.8 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 17.5 | 16.6 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.0 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.3 | 19.4 | 15.4 |
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 |
| 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 | |
| Lederman, Mordechai | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 11/13/2017 | |
| Michael, Chalee | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 06/12/2023 | |
| Morrison, Tony | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2019 | |
| Lederman, Mordechai | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 11/13/2017 | |
| Michael, Chalee | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 06/12/2023 | |
| Morrison, Tony | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2019 |
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.
- When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on May 20, 2026: "Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed."
- 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 March 12, 2026: "Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on October 29, 2024: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- How are allegations of abuse or neglect reported and investigated, and who tells the family?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on May 20, 2026: "Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.78 hours per resident per day, below the Iowa average of 3.37.
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Maple Crest Manor Fayette, 9 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 9 citations
- Ossian Care Center Ossian, 12.3 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 19 citations
- Hillcrest Home Sumner, 17.4 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 19 citations
- Grandview Healthcare Center Oelwein, 21.2 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 12 citations
- Oelwein Health Care Center Oelwein, 21.4 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 11 citations
- Elkader Care Center Elkader, 22.2 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 4 citations
- Wellington Place Decorah, 22.9 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 3 citations
- Strawberry Point Lutheran Home Strawberry Point, 24.1 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 10 citations
Iowa contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Iowa. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Health Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Iowa Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, 866-236-1430. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
- State inspection reports: Iowa Health Facility Database, Entity Search, where Iowa publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Good Samaritan - West Union's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Good Samaritan - West Union 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Good Samaritan - West Union get at its last inspection?
- 4 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on March 12, 2026. The Iowa average is 6.5.
- Has Good Samaritan - West Union been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Good Samaritan - West Union 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 - West Union?
- CMS lists 27 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.