Heritage of Emerson
607 Nebraska Street, Emerson, NE 68733 · Dakota County · (402) 695-2683
38 certified beds, about 35 residents a day · For profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1998
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 285222 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on June 5, 2025, inspectors cited 3 health deficiencies (the Nebraska average is 7.4, the national average 9.2).
None of its 9 health citations since April 2023 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 3.04 hours per resident per day, against 3.98 across Nebraska and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.83 of those hours.
39.3% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Nebraska average 48.7%).
CMS links it to Vetter Senior Living, an affiliated group of 22 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.
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 9 health citations on file.
June 5, 2025Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 4 citations
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.18 Based on observations, record review, and interviews; the facility failed to follow a policy related to cleaning of Continuous Positive Air Pressure (CPAP) equipment (machine used to keep the airway open using mild air pressure through a mask resident wore while sleeping) for Residents 2 and 30; and failed to implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP, an infection control intervention designed to reduce transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in nursing homes. Enhanced Barrier Precautions involve gown and glove use during high-contact resident care activities for residents known to be colonized or infected with a MDRO as well as those at increased risk of MDRO acquisition (e.g., residents with wounds or indwelling medical devices)) for Resident 8 during the provision of cares. The sample size was 17. The facility census was 34.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.09 Based on record review and interview; the facility staff failed to monitor and to assess bruising, increased swelling, and pain for 1 (Resident 6) of 2 sampled residents. The facility identified a census of 34.
- D Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.11(E) Based on observation, record review and interview; the facility failed to ensure food temperatures were maintained at a level to prevent the potential for food borne illness. This had the potential to affect 1 out of the 34 residents who ate food out of the kitchen. The facility staff identified a census of 34.
- D Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.02(H) Based on record review and interview; the facility failed to report, complete, and submit a thorough investigation of a resident-to-resident altercation involving Residents 19 and 235. The sample size was 2 and the facility census was 34.
June 13, 2024Standard inspection · 2 citations
- E Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.04B2a Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure 5 [Nurse Aides (NA) B, C, D, E and F] of 9 sampled nurse aides had completed 12 hours of yearly in-service education and failed to complete dementia and abuse in-service training for 1[ NA C] of 9 sampled nurse aides. The facility had a total census of 31 residents.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12.006.17 Based on record review, interviews, and observation, the facility failed to provide catheter care in a manner to prevent cross contamination and the potential for infections for1 (Resident 6) of 2 residents reviewed. The facility census was 31.
April 20, 2023Standard inspection · 3 citations
- F Perform COVID19 testing on residents and staff.
Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure COVID-19 testing was completed in accordance with the facility mitigation plan (a plan to reduce the severity or seriousness of COVID-19) for 2 unvaccinated staff (Nursing Assistant) NA-A and (Dietary Aid) DA-B of 5 staff members reviewed. This had the potential to affect all residents residing in the facility. The facility identified a census of 30.
- D Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.05(5) Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure the residents and /or the resident's representatives were notified in writing of the reason for transfer to the hospital for 1 resident ( Resident 2) of 1 residents reviewed for hospitalization. The facility census was 30.
- D Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors wroteLICENSURE REFERENCE NUMBER 175 NAC 12-006.09D Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to evaluate the residents level of pain and the effectiveness of routine Opioid [a broad group of pain relieving drugs used for pain control] medications used to control pain and failed to re-evaluate the pain management program for 2 (Residents 18 and 26) of 2 residents reviewed for pain management. The facility census was 30.
Fire safety inspections
4 fire safety citations on file: 1 on June 13, 2024, 3 on April 20, 2023.
Every fire safety citation4 citations
- E Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.
- E 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.
- E Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- E Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical 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 | Nebraska | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.04 | 3.98 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.83 | 0.67 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 2.63 | 3.48 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 1.98 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.23 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 39.3% | 48.7% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 42.9% | 44.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | not reported |
CMS expects 3.16 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 3.21 on weekdays and 2.63 on weekends, 18% 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 3.08 in April to June 2025 to 3.04 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 | 3.04 | 0.83 | 3.21 | 2.63 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 35 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.08 | 1.02 | 3.27 | 2.59 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 34 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.18 | 0.93 | 3.33 | 2.82 | 0.9% | 0 of 92 | 33 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.08 | 0.94 | 3.26 | 2.65 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 34 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Nebraska, Jan to Mar 2026 | 4.01 | 0.66 | 4.21 | 3.53 | 7.1% | 1.6% 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 | Nebraska | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 23.5 | 19.0 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.8 | 4.5 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 2.0 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 15.2 | 18.2 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.9 | 20.7 | 15.4 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: VSL EMERSON LLC. CMS links this home to Vetter Senior Living, a group of 22 nursing homes averaging 4.3 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vetter Senior Living | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 12/23/2016 |
| Huggenberger, Shellee | Contracted managing employee | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Stuhr, Brian | Contracted managing employee | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Timm, Matthew | Contracted managing employee | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vanekeren, Glenn | Contracted managing employee | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vetter, Eldora | Contracted managing employee | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vetter, Jack | Contracted managing employee | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Stuhr, Brian | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/15/2017 | |
| Vanekeren, Glenn | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/15/2017 | |
| Vetter, Eldora | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/15/2017 | |
| Vetter, Jack | Corporate officer | Individual | 06/15/2017 | |
| Vetter Senior Living | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 12/23/2016 | |
| Vsl Vetter Health Services LLC | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 07/01/2017 | |
| Huggenberger, Shellee | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Stuhr, Brian | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Timm, Matthew | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vanekeren, Glenn | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vetter, Eldora | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vetter, Jack | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2017 |
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.
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on June 5, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on June 5, 2025: "Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals."
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on June 5, 2025: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
- 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 June 5, 2025: "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 2.63 hours per resident per day, below the Nebraska average of 3.48.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Wakefield Health Care Center Wakefield, 7.6 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 17 citations
- Wayne Countryview Care and Rehabilitation Wayne, 14.7 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 23 citations
- Adept Nursing & Rehab of South Sioux City South Sioux City, 19.9 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 34 citations
- Pioneer Valley Living and Rehab Sergeant Bluff, 19.9 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 55 citations
- Westwood Specialty Care Sioux City, 20.3 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 79 citations
- Continental Falls South Sioux City, 20.3 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Embassy Rehab and Care Center Sergeant Bluff, 20.4 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 27 citations
- Casa De Paz Health Care Center Sioux City, 21.5 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 39 citations
Nebraska contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Nebraska. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure Unit, Long Term Care Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Nebraska Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, (800) 942-7830. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.
Common questions
- What is Heritage of Emerson's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Heritage of Emerson 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Heritage of Emerson get at its last inspection?
- 3 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on June 5, 2025. The Nebraska average is 7.4.
- Has Heritage of Emerson been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Heritage of Emerson 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 Heritage of Emerson?
- CMS lists 19 owners and managers, and links the home to Vetter Senior Living. Legal business name: VSL EMERSON LLC.
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.