Mount Carmel Bluffs
1160 Carmel Drive, Dubuque, IA 52003 · Dubuque County · (563) 556-5474
60 certified beds, about 54 residents a day · For profit - Limited Liability company · Medicare and Medicaid since 2021
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 165792 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on February 26, 2026, inspectors cited 1 health deficiency (the Iowa average is 6.5, the national average 9.2).
None of its 7 health citations since April 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 4.32 hours per resident per day, against 3.82 across Iowa and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.18 of those hours.
29.0% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Iowa average 44.0%).
CMS links it to Presbyterian Homes & Services, an affiliated group of 21 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 7 health citations on file.
February 26, 2026Standard inspection · 1 citation
- D 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, observation, resident and staff interviews, call light logs, and policy review the facility failed to respond to resident needs in a timely manner for 1 of 2 residents reviewed (Resident #7). Residents waited more than 15 minutes for call lights to be answered and Resident #7 stated she was not able to hold her urine while waiting. The facility reported a census of 55 residents.
July 9, 2025Complaint inspection · 3 citations
- E Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, staff interview and facility policy review, the facility failed to assure all residents remained in a safe and secure environment with all hazardous items locked and/or contained in a safe area not accessible to residents (Residents #7, #8 and #9). The facility identified a census of 56 residents.
- D Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, resident interview, staff interview and review of the facilities Resident's Rights form revealed the staff failed to treat 2 out of 3 residents with dignity and respect during care as a means to maintain their individual resident rights. (Residents #4 and #5)
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observations, clinical record review, staff interview and facility policy review, the facility failed to complete an adequate assessment and intervention for 3 of 3 residents following a change in condition (Residents #3, #6 and #7). The facility identified a census of 56 residents.
February 20, 2025Standard inspection · 0 citations
April 4, 2024Standard inspection · 3 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, policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to use gloves appropriately for assembling and serving meals, keep hands off the eating surfaces of dishes, wear hair nets appropriately, keep the ice machines clean, and date opened foods in order to serve meals under sanitary conditions. The facility reported a census of 46 residents.
- D Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, clinical record review, policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to follow professional standards during medication administration by leaving medications in the resident's room without making sure the resident took the medication for 1 of 5 residents observed (Resident #43). The facility reported a census of 43 residents.
- D 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, policy review, and staff interview the facility failed to measure pureed food volumes and to use the correct serving scoops to ensure resident nutritional needs were met. The facility reported a census of 43 residents.
Fire safety inspections
8 fire safety citations on file: 2 on February 26, 2026, 2 on February 20, 2025, 4 on April 4, 2024.
Every fire safety citation8 citations
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft.
- E Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
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) | 4.32 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.18 | 0.74 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.87 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 3.04 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.10 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 29.0% | 44.0% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 7.7% | 42.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
CMS expects 3.25 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 4.50 on weekdays and 3.87 on weekends, 14% 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 4.62 in April to June 2025 to 4.32 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 | 4.32 | 1.18 | 4.50 | 3.87 | 2.0% | 0 of 90 | 54 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.49 | 1.24 | 4.69 | 3.97 | 2.0% | 0 of 92 | 52 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.57 | 1.25 | 4.79 | 4.01 | 1.5% | 0 of 92 | 51 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.62 | 1.30 | 4.86 | 4.02 | 0.6% | 0 of 91 | 51 |
| 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 | 26.6 | 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 | 2.8 | 2.4 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.1 | 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 | 23.3 | 16.6 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.5 | 4.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 23.2 | 19.4 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 46.1 | 20.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 11.7 | 13.2 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: BVM-PHS SENIOR HOUSING INC. CMS links this home to Presbyterian Homes & Services, a group of 21 nursing homes averaging 4.3 stars overall.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presbyterian Homes and Services | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 50% | 08/31/2021 |
| Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 50% | 08/31/2021 |
| Manternach, Ladonna | 5% or greater indirect ownership interest | Individual | 25% | 08/01/2022 |
| Midwestone Bank | 5% or greater mortgage interest | Organization | 07/01/2019 | |
| Midwestone Bank | 5% or greater security interest | Organization | 07/01/2019 | |
| Lindh, Daniel | Corporate director | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Meyer, Mark | Corporate director | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Stache, Alan | Corporate director | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Fletcher, Jonathan | Corporate officer | Individual | 02/01/2025 | |
| Meyer, Mark | Corporate officer | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Stache, Alan | Corporate officer | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Phs Management, LLC | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 10/15/2020 | |
| Fletcher, Jonathan | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 02/01/2025 | |
| Meyer, Mark | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Peterson, Heidi | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Rentz, Sarah | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/15/2020 | |
| Ries, Andrea | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| Phs Management, LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 11/18/2025 | |
| Fletcher, Jonathan | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/01/2025 | |
| Meyer, Mark | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 09/07/2018 | |
| Peterson, Heidi | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 01/01/2023 | |
| Rentz, Sarah | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 10/15/2020 | |
| Ries, Andrea | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 07/01/2022 |
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 2 problems in this area, most recently on July 9, 2025: "Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents."
- 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 April 4, 2024: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
- How many nurses and aides work each shift, nights and weekends included?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on February 26, 2026: "Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on July 9, 2025: "Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights."
Other nursing homes nearby
- Harmony Dubuque Dubuque, 1.6 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 28 citations
- Bethany Home Dubuque, 3 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 1 citation
- Luther Manor at Hillcrest Dubuque, 3.7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 24 citations
- Ennoble Nursing and Rehab Dubuque, 3.8 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 2 citations
- Dubuque Specialty Care Dubuque, 3.8 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 23 citations
- Sunnycrest Manor Dubuque, 3.9 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Stonehill Care Center Dubuque, 4 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 4 citations
- Hawkeye Care Center Dubuque Asbury, 5.6 mi · 3 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 Mount Carmel Bluffs's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Mount Carmel Bluffs 5 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 2 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Mount Carmel Bluffs get at its last inspection?
- 1 health deficiency at the standard inspection on February 26, 2026. The Iowa average is 6.5.
- Has Mount Carmel Bluffs been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Mount Carmel Bluffs 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 Mount Carmel Bluffs?
- CMS lists 23 owners and managers, and links the home to Presbyterian Homes & Services. Legal business name: BVM-PHS SENIOR HOUSING 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.