Karen Acres Care Center
3605 Elm Drive, Urbandale, IA 50322 · Polk County · (515) 276-4969
35 certified beds, about 30 residents a day · For profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 2002
CMS high performing icon Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
5 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
5 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165460 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on June 11, 2025, inspectors cited 1 health deficiency (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 11 health citations since October 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 3.27 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.73 of those hours.
37.5% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).
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.
210/23
103/24
507/24
106/25
111/25
106/26
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 11 health citations on file.
Severity
Isolated
Pattern
Widespread
Immediate jeopardy
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
0G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
7D
4E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
June 22, 2026Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, hospital record review, family and staff interviews, and facility protocol review, it was found that for 1 of 4 residents reviewed for assessment and intervention (Res #3), the facility failed to complete accurate daily assessments; transcribe and administer medications per provider orders; recognize and assess a change in bowel patterns; follow the facility protocol for a bowel regimen; and completely and accurately document fluid intake for a resident on a fluid restriction. The facility reported a census of 29.
November 25, 2025Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on clinical record review, staff interview, and facility policy review, the facility failed to follow the Care Plan for proper and safe transfer for 1 of 4 residents reviewed, Due to Resident's (Resident #3) increased weakness Resident #3 had to be lowered to the floor during attempted improper transfer. The facility reported a census of 31 residents.
June 11, 2025Standard inspection · 1 citation
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, clinical record review, staff interview, and facility policy review, the facility failed to follow the Care Plan for proper and safe transfer for 1 of 1 residents reviewed, resulting in a fall (Resident #27). The facility reported a census of 28 residents.
July 7, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 5 citations
- E 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 observations, staff interviews and facility policy review, the facility failed to maintain uncluttered hallways to promote a safe and homelike environment for one of three hallways. The facility also used a shower room for equipment storage. The facility reported a resident census of twenty eight.
- E 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 observations, menu review, and staff interview, the facility failed to serve the appropriate menu for two of two meals observed. The facility also failed to follow a standard pureed process for two of two pureed food prep observations.
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, staff interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to maintain sanitary practices by improperly storing resident food. The facility reported a census of 27 residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on resident clinical record, staff and family interviews, policy review and video evidence, the facility failed to protect a resident from abuse when a certified nursing assistant utilized a personal smartphone to video record a resident (Resident #4) and distribute the recording on a social media site and labeled the video with the resident's name. The facility reported a census of 28 residents.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review, staff interview, and policy review, the facility failed to implement infection control practices to prevent cross contamination of invasive medical equipment for one of one blood glucose test observations. Facility staff also failed to decrease possible spread of infection for one of one resident reviewed for a urinary catheter (Resident#28) . The facility reported a census of 27 residents.
March 12, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to treat each resident in a dignified manner for 3 of 8 residents reviewed (Resident #2, #5 and #9). The facility reported a census of 28 residents.
October 12, 2023Standard inspection · 2 citations
- E Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interview, and facility policy review the facility failed to store food in accordance with professional standards by not labeling foods that were open with open dates and did not practice appropriate hand hygiene by touching food and contaminated objects without hand hygiene and not changing gloves. The facility reported a census of 29 residents.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, facility documentation and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the facility failed to handle a urinary catheter bag and tubing with appropriate infection control standards of practice for 1 of 1 residents reviewed (Resident #17). The facility reported a census of 29 residents.
Fire safety inspections
9 fire safety citations on file: 2 on June 11, 2025, 3 on July 7, 2024, 4 on October 12, 2023.
Every fire safety citation9 citations
- F Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
- E Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
- F Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- F Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
- F Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
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) | 3.27 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.73 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.04 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.20 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.34 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 37.5% | 44.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | not reported | 42.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.55 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 3.36 on weekdays and 3.04 on weekends, 10% 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 3.17 in April to June 2025 to 3.27 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 | 3.27 | 0.73 | 3.36 | 3.04 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 30 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.10 | 0.64 | 3.17 | 2.92 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 31 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.09 | 0.55 | 3.17 | 2.87 | 1.0% | 0 of 92 | 30 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.17 | 0.66 | 3.31 | 2.82 | 1.3% | 0 of 91 | 30 |
| 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 | 15.8 | 17.1 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.5 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.9 | 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 | 19.0 | 16.6 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.6 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 5.5 | 19.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 12.0 | 20.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 15.6 | 13.2 | 12.0 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: CRYSTAL INC.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Even, Crystal | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Individual | 50% | 07/01/2013 |
| Lange, Randall | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Individual | 50% | 10/01/1998 |
| Even, Crystal | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2013 | |
| Lange, Randall | Corporate officer | Individual | 10/01/1998 | |
| Booker, Janyia | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 05/20/2025 | |
| Dayton, John | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 09/17/2021 | |
| Harned, Pamela | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/20/2016 | |
| Moulton, Christopher | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 03/19/2015 | |
| Oconner, Michael | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/01/2015 | |
| Waltersdorf, Myra | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/22/2024 | |
| Bcg Holdings Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2024 | |
| Blue Stone Therapy Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 01/01/2024 | |
| Brighton Consulting Group LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2024 | |
| Careserv Technologies LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 02/02/2018 | |
| Cattail Bcg LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2024 | |
| Cattail Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2024 | |
| Denman Cpa LLP | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 12/01/2011 | |
| Ecsi Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2024 | |
| Grx Holdings, LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 08/01/2018 | |
| Health Technologies, Inc | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 04/01/2023 | |
| Iowa Health Care Association | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 10/01/2024 | |
| Even, Crystal | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2013 | |
| Harned, Pamela | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 09/23/2025 | |
| Lange, Randall | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 10/01/1998 | |
| Oconner, Michael | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 09/23/2025 |
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 June 22, 2026: "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 July 7, 2024: "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."
- Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on July 7, 2024: "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."
- 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 July 7, 2024: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.04 hours per resident per day, below the Iowa average of 3.37.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Royal Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Urbandale, 1.2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 78 citations
- Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center West Des Moines, 2.5 mi · not rated · 89 citations
- Calvin Community Des Moines, 2.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 12 citations
- Childserve Habilitation Center Johnston, 2.7 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Walnut Ridge Clive, 2.9 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Bishop Drumm Retirement Center Johnston, 3.1 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 79 citations
- Iowa Jewish Senior Life Center Des Moines, 3.2 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Ramsey Village Des Moines, 3.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 31 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 Karen Acres Care Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Karen Acres Care Center 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Karen Acres Care Center get at its last inspection?
- 1 health deficiency at the standard inspection on June 11, 2025. The Iowa average is 6.5.
- Has Karen Acres Care Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Karen Acres Care Center 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 Karen Acres Care Center?
- CMS lists 25 owners and managers. Legal business name: CRYSTAL INC.
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.