nursing home in Buffalo Lake, MN
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center
703 West Yellowstone Trail, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314 · (320) 833-5364
CMS overall star rating
- Health inspections★★★★★3
- Staffing★★★★★5
- Quality measures★★★★★2
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. We refresh our information from this source. About our data
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center at a glance
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center is a 49-bed non-profit nursing home in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota (Renville County).
CMS gives it 4 out of 5 stars on its overall star rating, better than the Minnesota average of 3.2.
Residents receive about 4.6 hours of nursing care per day (0.8 of them from registered nurses), better than the state average of 4.2 hours.
Its most recent standard health inspection (January 8, 2026) found 8 health citations. The Minnesota average is 7.1.
It has not received a federal fine in the past three years.
Nursing staff turnover is 42.6% per year (state average 42.2%).
Facility details
- Type
- Nursing home
- Ownership
- Non Profit - Corporation
- Beds
- 49
- Certified for
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Medicare-certified since
- November 1, 1991
- Resident/family council
- Resident
- County
- Renville County
- CMS Certification Number
- 245589
Ratings
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 4 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 | 3 / 5 | Better |
| Health inspection rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 3 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 | Average |
| Staffing rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 5 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | Better |
| Quality measures rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 2 / 5 | 3.1 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 | Worse |
| Long-stay quality rating (higher is better) | 2 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | Worse |
Staffing
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day ⓘ (higher is better) | 4.60 hrs | 4.19 hrs | 3.86 hrs | Better |
| Registered nurse hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 0.76 hrs | 1.06 hrs | 0.69 hrs | Better |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 3.37 hrs | 2.52 hrs | 2.32 hrs | Better |
| Weekend nurse staff hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 3.90 hrs | 3.71 hrs | 3.42 hrs | Better |
| Nursing staff turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 42.6% | 42.2% | 45.8% | Better |
| Registered nurse turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 0% | 38.6% | 42.9% | Better |
| Administrators who left in the past year (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
Inspections
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health citations in the most recent inspection (lower is better) | 8 | 7 | 9 | Better |
| Citations from complaint investigations (latest cycle) (lower is better) | 0 | 2 | 3 | Better |
| Weighted health inspection score ⓘ (lower is better) | 55 | 63.9 | 80.6 | Better |
Penalties
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
| Total fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | $0 | $24,507 | $30,972 | Better |
| All federal penalties in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
Size
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified beds | 49 | 71 | 107 | |
| Average residents per day | 45 | 60 | 86 | |
| Occupancy | 92.4% | 84.1% | 80.9% |
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-stay residents with a fall causing major injury (lower is better) | 5.4% | 4% | 3.2% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with pressure ulcers (lower is better) | 6% | 5.2% | 4.6% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents given antipsychotic medication (lower is better) | 10.9% | 17.1% | 15.4% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection (lower is better) | 0.6% | 2.6% | 1.6% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with a catheter left in the bladder (lower is better) | 0.6% | 1.9% | 0.8% | Better |
| Long-stay residents needing more help with daily activities (lower is better) | 18.5% | 18.2% | 13.9% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents whose walking worsened (lower is better) | 24.1% | 20.5% | 14.1% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents who lose too much weight (lower is better) | 5% | 4.1% | 5.2% | Average |
| Long-stay residents with depressive symptoms (lower is better) | 1.3% | 4.1% | 12.8% | Better |
| Long-stay residents who were physically restrained (lower is better) | 0% | 0.1% | 0.1% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given anti-anxiety or sleep medication (lower is better) | 7.7% | 12.5% | 19.5% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with new or worse incontinence (lower is better) | 28.1% | 24.5% | 19% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents given a flu vaccine (higher is better) | 100% | 96.1% | 95.5% | Average |
| Long-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 100% | 97.4% | 93.6% | Better |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This facility | Minnesota avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotic medication (lower is better) | 3.7% | 1.9% | 1.6% | Worse |
| Short-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 90.9% | 88.1% | 82% | Better |
Inspection citations
State inspectors cited this home for 13 health deficiencies and 8 fire safety deficiencies in the inspection records CMS currently publishes. None were rated as causing actual harm to residents.
| Date | Citation | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 8, 2026 Fire safety | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. Egress Deficiencies · Tag K0211 | E Potential harm, pattern | Corrected January 30, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Fire safety | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0324 | E Potential harm, pattern | Corrected February 18, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home. Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0882 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 | E Potential harm, pattern | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0645 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Ensure therapeutic diets are prescribed by the attending physician and may be delegated to a registered or licensed dietitian, to the extent allowed by State law. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0808 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use. Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0881 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| January 8, 2026 Standard | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected March 5, 2026 |
| November 20, 2024 Fire safety | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0321 | E Potential harm, pattern | Corrected December 4, 2024 |
| November 20, 2024 Fire safety | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0353 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected December 4, 2024 |
| November 20, 2024 Fire safety | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0363 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected December 4, 2024 |
| November 20, 2024 Fire safety | Have exits that are accessible at all times. Egress Deficiencies · Tag K0271 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected November 21, 2024 |
| December 28, 2023 Complaint | Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected February 28, 2024 |
| December 20, 2023 Fire safety | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. Egress Deficiencies · Tag K0291 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected January 31, 2024 |
| December 20, 2023 Fire safety | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0355 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected January 31, 2024 |
| December 20, 2023 Standard | Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations. Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0883 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected February 23, 2024 |
| December 20, 2023 Standard | Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0625 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected February 23, 2024 |
| December 20, 2023 Standard | Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0583 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected February 23, 2024 |
| December 20, 2023 Standard | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0580 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected February 23, 2024 |
Severity letters follow the CMS scope-and-severity grid: A–C no actual harm with potential for minimal harm; D–F potential for more than minimal harm; G–I actual harm; J–L immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety. How to read inspection citations.
Fines and payment denials
CMS reports no federal fines or payment denials in the past three years.
Owners and managers
Individuals and organizations reported to CMS as owning or operating this nursing home.
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| BYRON, DAVID Individual | adp of the snf | NOT APPLICABLE | 04/16/2025 |
| RUST, MARK Individual | adp of the snf | NOT APPLICABLE | 05/15/2025 |
| BAUMGARTEN, MARY Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 10/01/2013 |
| DEAL, DEBRA Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 10/01/2017 |
| DEAL, GAYLE Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/01/2022 |
| LAUER, BRIAN Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 10/01/2024 |
| MACKEY, LOREN Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/01/2022 |
| NEWMAN, ROGER Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 10/01/2017 |
| RYBERG, BRIAN Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 10/01/2024 |
| WEHKING, KATHY Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 09/01/2020 |
| WEISPFENNIG, ANGEL Individual | corporate director | NOT APPLICABLE | 12/01/2018 |
| RUST, MARK Individual | corporate officer | NOT APPLICABLE | 01/01/2009 |
| BYRON, DAVID Individual | operational/managerial control | NOT APPLICABLE | 02/05/2018 |
| CARLSON, RANELL Individual | operational/managerial control | NOT APPLICABLE | 11/29/2016 |
| RUST, MARK Individual | operational/managerial control | NOT APPLICABLE | 01/01/2009 |
Other nursing homes near Buffalo Lake Health Care Center
Harmony River Living Center
1555 Sherwood Street Southeast, Hutchinson, MN 55350 · 15.4 mi
Non-profit · 120 beds · Part of Presbyterian Homes & Services
★★★★★4Above averageOlivia Restorative Care Center
1003 West Maple Avenue, Olivia, MN 56277 · 18.2 mi
For-profit · 60 beds
- Special Focus candidate
★★★★★1Much below averageFranklin Restorative Care Center
900 3rd Street South, Franklin, MN 55333 · 19.6 mi
For-profit · 40 beds
- Special Focus candidate
- Abuse citation
★★★★★1Much below averageGlenfields Living With Care
2015 Hennepin Avenue North, Glencoe, MN 55336 · 23.4 mi
Non-profit · 108 beds
★★★★★4Above averageBayside Manor LLC
640 Third Street, Gaylord, MN 55334 · 23.5 mi
For-profit · 44 beds · Part of Monarch Healthcare Management
- Abuse citation
★★★★★2Below average- ★★★★★2Below average
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Frequently asked questions
What is Buffalo Lake Health Care Center's rating?
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center has 4 out of 5 stars on the CMS overall star rating. The average for Minnesota nursing homes is 3.2 stars.
How many inspection citations did Buffalo Lake Health Care Center receive?
Its most recent standard health inspection found 8 citations, compared with a Minnesota average of 7.1. Every citation is listed on this page with its severity.
Does Buffalo Lake Health Care Center accept Medicare and Medicaid?
CMS lists it as certified for: Medicare and Medicaid. Call the facility to confirm bed availability and whether it accepts your specific plan.
Who owns Buffalo Lake Health Care Center?
It is non profit - corporation. The ownership section on this page lists the owners and managers reported to CMS.
Where is Buffalo Lake Health Care Center and how do I contact it?
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center is at 703 West Yellowstone Trail, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314. Phone: (320) 833-5364.
About this data
Ratings and measures come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. They're based on state inspections, patient surveys and facility reports, and they describe the past. Facilities change, so visit in person and confirm details directly. About our data · Spotted an error? Let us know.