St. Johns on Fountain Lake
1771 Eagle View Circle, Albert Lea, MN 56007 · Freeborn County · (507) 373-2040
84 certified beds, about 77 residents a day · Non profit - Church related · Medicare and Medicaid since 2018
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 245635 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on December 3, 2025, inspectors cited 9 health deficiencies (the Minnesota average is 7.1, the national average 9.2).
Of 30 health citations since September 2023, 3 were rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents (1 immediate jeopardy).
CMS lists 1 fine totaling $16,448 in the last three years; the largest was $16,448, and the latest is dated July 26, 2024.
Nurses and nurse aides worked 4.55 hours per resident per day, against 4.19 across Minnesota and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.82 of those hours.
29.4% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Minnesota average 42.2%).
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 30 health citations on file.
December 3, 2025Standard inspection · 9 citations
- F Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure dishwasher water temperatures in 3 of 3 neighborhood kitchens were monitored to ensure proper sanitization of dishes. In addition, the facility failed to ensure metal pans in the main kitchen were dry before storing. This had the potential to affect all 77 resident who resided in the facility.
- D Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure 1 of 1 resident (R19) who was observed to have medications in her room, had been appropriately assessed and deemed safe to self-administer medications.
- 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 the care plan included management of CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) for 1 of 3 residents (R24) reviewed for respiratory care. In addition, the facility failed to ensure a care plan was initiated after a trauma assessment identified history of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for 1 of 1 resident (R27) who was reviewed for mood and behavior.
- D Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure individualized activities were provided for 1 of 2 residents (R80) reviewed for activities.
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure weekly comprehensive skin assessments (including measurements and characteristics) were completed for 1 of 3 residents (R1) reviewed for pressure ulcers.
- D Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review, the facility failed to assess safe smoking for 1 of 1 resident (R69) reviewed for smoking. In addition, the facility failed to provide a receptable for R69 to safely ash and dispose of cigarettes.
- D Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure 1 of 1 resident (R8) reviewed for hydration and who was dependent upon staff for fluid intake, was offered water/fluids on a consistent basis.
- D Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure staff were following manufacturer's guidelines with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine with daily maintenance for 1 of 3 resident (R33) reviewed for respiratory care and treatments.
- D Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview,, and document review, the facility failed to comprehensively assess and reassess past trauma and implement care plan interventions utilizing a trauma-informed approach for 1 of 1 resident (R27), reviewed who was evaluated for mood and behavior.
August 6, 2025Complaint inspection · 3 citations
- J Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review the facility failed to ensure medications were administered according to physician orders for 1 of 3 residents (R1) reviewed for medication administration. The facility's failures resulted in a significant medication error and an Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) situation for R1 who did not receive an increased dose of Torsemide (treat fluid overload related to heart or kidney disease) ordered by the physician. R1 was admitted to the hospital cardiac intensive care unit (ICU) for worsening congestive heart failure where she remained at the time of the survey. The IJ began on 7/9/25 when staff failed to administer an increased dose of Torsemide as ordered, due to not following the rights of medication administration. This resulted in 11 incorrect doses between 7/9/25 and 7/16/25. [...]
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to comprehensively assess and monitor signs/symptoms of fluid overload and failed to implement interventions including notification of changes to the physician for 1 of 3 residents (R3) who had diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) reviewed for change of condition.
- D Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to maintain documentation of actual disposition of medications to include: residents name, medication name, strength, prescription number, quantity, date of disposition, and involved staff and method of destruction for 1 of 5 residents (R1) reviewed for medication disposition.
November 6, 2024Standard inspection · 5 citations
- F Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation and interview, the facility failed to ensure proper infection control practices were followed for 1 of 1 resident (R54) when his urinary drainage bag was observed laying on the floor. Further, loose, and contaminated laundry was observed having been sent down the laundry chute without being secured in a laundry/plastic bag. This had the potential to affect all 68 residents who resided in the facility.
- 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 and interview, the facility failed to maintain holding temperatures for hot foods of 135 degrees Fahrenheit or greater. In addition, the facility failed to ensure dietary staff followed appropriate infection control practices during food prep and meal service in the kitchen. This had the potential to affect 22 of 22 residents residing on the unit.
- D Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review the facility failed to notify the physician of neck pain following a fall for 1 of 1 resident (R25) reviewed for accidents.
- D Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review the facility failed to ensure weekly comprehensive skin assessments with measurements were completed for 1 of 3 residents (R59) reviewed for pressure ulcers.
- D Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review the facility failed to act upon the consultant pharmacist's recommendation for 2 of 5 residents (R55, R59) reviewed for unnecessary medications.
September 24, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to utilize enhanced barrier precautions (EBP) for 2 of 5 residents (R1, R2) observed with personal cares.
July 26, 2024Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- G Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review the facility failed to safely use a full body mechanical lift per manufacturer's recommendations for 1 of 3 residents (R1) reviewed who used a mechanical lift. This resulted in harm when R1 fell from a full body mechanical lift causing ongoing pain in shoulders and neck region. In addition the facility failed to ensure comprehensive assessments were completed to determine proper sling size for 3 of 3 residents (R1, R2, and R3) who required transfers with a mechanical lift.
April 17, 2024Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- 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, and maintained to ensure appropriate level care was provided to 1 of 3 residents (R1) reviewed for activities of daily living.
- D Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and document review the facility failed to administer medication per physician order and failed to evaluate and address the medication errors to prevent recurrent medication errors for 1 of 3 residents (R1) reviewed for medication administration.
January 10, 2024Standard inspection · 6 citations
- G Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to assess, monitor and implement pressure relieving interventions for 2 of 2 resident (R71, R68) who developed pressure ulcers. The facility failure resulted in R71 sustaining harm when the resident developed an unstageable pressure ulcer to left gluteus (butt cheek) along with three additional stage II pressure ulcers on gluteus.
- F Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to follow Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19, failed to ensure appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) when staff were observed not an wearing N-95 mask in the room of 1 of 1 resident (R20) in transmission based precautions (TBP) for Covid-19; failed to doff (remove) PPE per guidelines when staff were observed removing all PPE after exiting the room of a resident (R20) in TBP for Covid-19 for 1 of 1 resident (R20); failed to ensure precautions posted on resident room doors followed CMS and CDC recommendations for 1 of 1 resident (R20); failed to ensure all staff were fit-tested for use of N-95 masks; this had the potential to affect all 73 residents who resided in the facility.
- E Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure resident concerns identified at resident council meetings were addressed and residents notified of a resolution or ongoing measures to ensure compliance. This affected all 11 residents (R10, R11, R13, R15, R16, R32, R43, R45, R46, R50, and R57) who attended resident council.
- D Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure 1 of 1 resident (R19) was notified of lab and x-ray results when requested.
- 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, interview and document review, the facility failed to provide services to restore, maintain and prevent loss of range of motion (ROM) for 2 of 2 residents (R23 and R40) reviewed for limited ROM.
- D Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to consistently monitor and assess a resident for potential complications related to dialysis treatment and failed to ensure consistent communication with the dialysis facility for 1 of 1 resident (R71) reviewed for dialysis.
September 20, 2023Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview, and document review, the facility failed to ensure the care plan was followed for self-administration of medications for 1 of 1 residents (R3) whose medications were left at R3's bedside.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, interview and document review, the facility failed to ensure hand hygiene was maintained during cares for 1 of 1 resident (R3) observed during personal cares.
September 7, 2023Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure symptoms of respiratory impairment were assessed and acted upon for 1 of 1 resident (R1) reviewed for change in condition when staff failed update provider with residents change in oxygen saturation.
Fire safety inspections
17 fire safety citations on file: 6 on December 3, 2025, 7 on November 6, 2024, 4 on January 10, 2024.
Every fire safety citation17 citations
- F Install properly constructed and protected linen or trash chutes.
- 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 Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- D Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
- D Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- F Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
- F Install properly constructed and protected linen or trash chutes.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- E Have exits that are accessible at all times.
- 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 Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
- F Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- E Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Fines and payment denials
| Date | Penalty | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| July 26, 2024 | Fine | $16,448 |
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) | 4.55 | 4.19 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 0.82 | 1.06 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 4.02 | 3.71 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.74 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.99 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 29.4% | 42.2% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 17.6% | 38.6% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 1 |
CMS expects 3.27 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 4.76 on weekdays and 4.02 on weekends, 16% 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 4.92 in April to June 2025 to 4.55 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 | 4.55 | 0.82 | 4.76 | 4.02 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 77 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 4.46 | 0.78 | 4.63 | 4.02 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 75 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 4.88 | 0.97 | 5.10 | 4.34 | 1.8% | 0 of 92 | 68 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 4.92 | 0.90 | 5.17 | 4.30 | 1.9% | 0 of 91 | 70 |
| 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 | 11.6 | 18.2 | 13.9 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.0 | 1.9 | 0.8 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.4 | 2.6 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 1.4 | 1.9 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 16.3 | 20.5 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.3 | 5.2 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 16.8 | 17.1 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 24.9 | 23.5 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 10.0 | 14.8 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.2 | 1.9 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: ST JOHNS LUTHERAN HOME.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Hayward Minnesota | 5% or greater mortgage interest | Organization | 12/01/2014 | |
| United States Department of Agriculture - Rural Development | 5% or greater mortgage interest | Organization | 12/01/2014 | |
| Koepke, Shane | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Kolker-Sparks, Camilla | Corporate director | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Anderson, Mark | Corporate officer | Individual | 10/06/2025 | |
| Holt, John | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Light, Mark | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Loberg, Richard | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Munyer, James | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Schulz, Steven | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Wichmann, Brenda | Corporate officer | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| Certus Albert Lea Management LLC | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 08/08/2025 | |
| Anderson, Mark | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 10/06/2025 | |
| Fruehbrodt Glenzinski, Judy | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 01/01/2025 | |
| King, Heather | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 06/30/2021 | |
| Certus Albert Lea Management LLC | Adp of the SNF | Organization | 12/05/2025 | |
| Anderson, Mark | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 03/09/2026 | |
| Fruehbrodt Glenzinski, Judy | Adp of the SNF | Individual | 02/12/2025 |
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 13 problems in this area, most recently on December 3, 2025: "Provide activities to meet all resident's needs."
- How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 5 problems in this area, most recently on December 3, 2025: "Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on August 6, 2025: "Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors."
- What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on November 6, 2024: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Thorne Crest Retirement Center Albert Lea, 2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 36 citations
- Good Samaritan Society - Albert Lea Albert Lea, 2.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 15 citations
- New Richland Care Center New Richland, 16.2 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 21 citations
- Parkview Care Center Wells, 17.3 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 22 citations
- Lutheran Retirement Home Northwood, 17.5 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 13 citations
- Lake Mills Care Center Lake Mills, 17.7 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 6 citations
- Sacred Heart Care Center Austin, 20 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 29 citations
- St. Marks Living Austin, 20.7 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 30 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 St. Johns on Fountain Lake's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates St. Johns on Fountain Lake 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 2 for health inspections, 5 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did St. Johns on Fountain Lake get at its last inspection?
- 9 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on December 3, 2025. The Minnesota average is 7.1.
- Has St. Johns on Fountain Lake been fined?
- Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $16,448 in the last three years.
- Does St. Johns on Fountain Lake 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 St. Johns on Fountain Lake?
- CMS lists 18 owners and managers. Legal business name: ST JOHNS LUTHERAN HOME.
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.