Westward Heights Care Center
150 Caring Way, Lander, WY 82520 · Fremont County · (307) 332-5560
60 certified beds, about 55 residents a day · Non profit - Corporation · Medicare and Medicaid since 1990
Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
4 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
4 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5
CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 535034 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes
The record in brief
At its most recent standard inspection, on March 27, 2025, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the Wyoming average is 7.8, the national average 9.2).
None of its 9 health citations since November 2022 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 3.73 hours per resident per day, against 3.87 across Wyoming and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 1.01 of those hours.
45.8% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Wyoming average 51.8%).
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.
211/22
201/24
201/25
203/25
105/26
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 9 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
1E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
1C
May 22, 2026Complaint inspection · 1 citation
- D Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, resident representative, hospital staff, and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure residents were allowed to return following acute hospitalization for 1 of 4 sample residents (#1) reviewed for transfer and discharge.
March 27, 2025Standard inspection · 2 citations
- E Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure infection prevention practices were implemented during meal delivery and assistance during 2 of 3 meal observations in the main dining room. The census was 56.
- 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 medical record review, staff interview, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed to ensure a gradual dose reduction was performed for 1 of 5 sample residents (#28) reviewed for unnecessary medications.
January 14, 2025Complaint inspection · 2 citations
- D Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, staff interview, facility incident review, and policy and procedure review, the facility failed protect the resident's right to be free from physical abuse by another resident for 1 of 3 sample residents (#2). Corrective measures were implemented prior to the survey and compliance was determined to be met on 8/9/24.
- D Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors wroteBased on medical record review, staff interview, and review of incident and facility documentation the facility failed to provide care in accordance with physician's orders and professional standards of practice for 1 of 3 residents (#1) with change in condition including resident #1. The facility had implemented corrective action prior to the survey and was determined to be in substantial compliance as of 11/19/24. The following concerns were identified: 1. Review of complaint/grievance report dated 11/13/24 showed resident #1 did not get transported to an appointment after it was ordered by the physician. 2. Medical record review showed resident #1 had a physician's order for an x-ray of his/her hip dated 10/26/24. On 11/8/24 the nurse attempted to have facility scheduler transport the resident for the x-ray; however, the scheduler was unable to take the resident until 11/11/24. [...]
January 11, 2024Standard inspection · 2 citations
- D Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, medical record review and staff and resident interviews, the facility failed to monitor the resident's access site upon return from dialysis treatment for 1 of 1 sample resident (#33) who received dialysis at an off-site dialysis center.
- D Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, review of manufacturer's instructions, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure infection prevention practices were followed by staff during 1 of 6 medication pass observations which affected residents (#5, #20).
November 3, 2022Standard inspection · 2 citations
- 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 medical record review and staff interview, the facility failed to ensure PRN orders for anti-psychotic medications were limited to 14 days for 1 of 3 sample residents (#95).
- C Ensure staff are vaccinated for COVID-19
Inspectors wroteBased on review of policy and procedures, staff interview, and review of the facility's staff vaccination and COVID-19 testing records, the facility failed to ensure 100% of staff were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2, held an exemption, or had a temporary delay. The facility's staff vaccination rate was 98.9%. In addition, the facility failed to ensure the policy was followed related to extra precautions for staff who were not fully vaccinated.
Fire safety inspections
9 fire safety citations on file: 4 on March 27, 2025, 2 on January 11, 2024, 3 on November 3, 2022.
Every fire safety citation9 citations
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- F Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- E Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- F Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- F Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- D Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
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 | Wyoming | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides) | 3.73 | 3.87 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses | 1.01 | 0.94 | 0.69 |
| All nursing staff on weekends | 3.21 | 3.37 | 3.42 |
| Nurse aides | 2.48 | ||
| Licensed practical nurses | 0.23 | ||
| Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year) | 45.8% | 51.8% | 45.8% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 46.7% | 44.1% | 42.9% |
| Administrators who left | 0 |
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 3.94 on weekdays and 3.21 on weekends, 19% 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 3.87 in April to June 2025 to 3.73 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 | 3.73 | 1.01 | 3.94 | 3.21 | 0.0% | 0 of 90 | 55 |
| Oct to Dec 2025 | 3.64 | 1.07 | 3.82 | 3.19 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 53 |
| Jul to Sep 2025 | 3.72 | 0.98 | 3.90 | 3.28 | 0.0% | 0 of 92 | 53 |
| Apr to Jun 2025 | 3.87 | 0.98 | 4.11 | 3.29 | 0.0% | 0 of 91 | 51 |
| United States, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.75 | 0.62 | 3.92 | 3.33 | 5.3% | 0.5% of days | |
| Wyoming, Jan to Mar 2026 | 3.61 | 0.86 | 3.80 | 3.15 | 7.5% | 0.1% 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 | Wyoming | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 17.5 | 16.8 | 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 | 1.1 | 3.0 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 6.6 | 4.7 | 3.2 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 0.0 | 1.2 | 1.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 24.1 | 15.3 | 14.1 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 2.4 | 4.6 | 4.6 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1 | 3.6 | 21.8 | 15.4 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 17.7 | 18.9 | 23.8 |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 36.5 | 16.7 | 12.0 |
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231 | 2.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 |
Owners and operators
Legal business name: WESTWARD HEIGHTS CORP.
| Name | Role | Type | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westward Heights Corp | 5% or greater direct ownership interest | Organization | 100% | 11/03/1971 |
| Vetter, Eldora | 5% or greater indirect ownership interest | Individual | 50% | 10/01/2009 |
| Vetter, Jack | 5% or greater indirect ownership interest | Individual | 50% | 10/01/2009 |
| Kimber, Jeff | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| Smith, Amy | Corporate director | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| Baker, Betty | Corporate officer | Individual | 10/01/2009 | |
| Cone, Lucy | Corporate officer | Individual | 04/01/2015 | |
| Hubble, Lauren | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| McKee, Dean | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2022 | |
| Nagy, Robert | Corporate officer | Individual | 10/01/2009 | |
| Stuhr, Brian | Corporate officer | Individual | 07/01/2017 | |
| Vetter Health Services, Inc. | Operational/managerial control | Organization | 10/01/2009 | |
| Korell, Natalie | Operational/managerial control | Individual | 04/01/2015 |
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 March 27, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
- How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on March 27, 2025: "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."
- 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 January 14, 2025: "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 1 problem in this area, most recently on May 22, 2026: "Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge."
- Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 3.21 hours per resident per day, below the Wyoming average of 3.37.
Other nursing homes nearby
- Mountain View Skilled Nursing Community at Wlrc Lander, 1.1 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 19 citations
- Morning Star Care Center Fort Washakie, 14.6 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 16 citations
- Wind River Rehabilitation and Wellness Riverton, 22.3 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 36 citations
Wyoming contacts for a concern about a nursing home
These are the official offices in Wyoming. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.
- Inspections and complaints: Wyoming Department of Health, Healthcare Licensing and Surveys, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
- Resident advocate: Wyoming Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, 307-287-7757. 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: Wyoming HLS Newest Facility Inspection Reports, where Wyoming publishes its own records on licensed homes.
Common questions
- What is Westward Heights Care Center's Medicare star rating?
- CMS rates Westward Heights Care Center 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 4 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
- How many deficiencies did Westward Heights Care Center get at its last inspection?
- 2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on March 27, 2025. The Wyoming average is 7.8.
- Has Westward Heights Care Center been fined?
- CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
- Does Westward Heights 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 Westward Heights Care Center?
- CMS lists 13 owners and managers. Legal business name: WESTWARD HEIGHTS CORP.
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.