Highlands Lake Center
4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 · (863) 646-8699
For profit - Corporation · 179 certified beds
Highlands Lake Center has a 2-star overall rating from Medicare, out of 5. Its last standard inspection, in March 2024, found 15 citations (the Florida average is 7.1). It hasn't been fined in the last three years.
Medicare ratings
| Overall ratingStarts from the health inspection rating, then goes up or down a star for a 5-star or 1-star staffing or quality rating. | ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars · Below average |
| Health inspectionsFrom the two most recent standard inspections and three years of complaint inspections, compared with other homes in the same state. | ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars · Below average |
| Quality measuresFrom 15 measures of how residents do, such as falls with major injury, pressure ulcers, hospital stays and getting home after a short stay. | ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars · Above average |
| StaffingFrom payroll records of nurse hours per resident, adjusted for how much care residents need, and staff turnover. | ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars · Average |
How to read a nursing home's star ratings
Most recent health inspection
The standard health inspection on March 7, 2024 found 15 citations. What an inspection citation means
- Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.March 7, 2024 · F0582 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.March 7, 2024 · F0641 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.March 7, 2024 · F0644 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Honor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs.March 7, 2024 · F0675 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.March 7, 2024 · F0684 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.March 7, 2024 · F0690 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.March 7, 2024 · F0694 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.March 7, 2024 · F0695 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.March 7, 2024 · F0755 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.March 7, 2024 · F0759 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.March 7, 2024 · F0761 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.March 7, 2024 · F0842 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.March 7, 2024 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.March 7, 2024 · F0921 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.March 7, 2024 · F0925 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Complaint inspections, last three years
Inspections after complaints found 10 citations.
- Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.November 5, 2025 · F0697 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.November 5, 2025 · F0755 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.April 17, 2025 · F0585 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.April 17, 2025 · F0773 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- 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.August 6, 2024 · F0584 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.August 6, 2024 · F0585 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.August 6, 2024 · F0761 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.March 7, 2024 · F0582 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.March 7, 2024 · F0684 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.March 7, 2024 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Fines and payment denials
No fines or payment denials in the last three years.
Nurse staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, as the home reports them to Medicare through payroll records.
| Hours per resident per day | This home | Florida average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing | 3.32 | 3.82 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.70 | 0.73 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 0.61 | 0.78 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aides | 2.01 | 2.31 | 2.32 |
| Total nursing staff turnover | 53.5% | 41.4% | 45.8% |
About this home
| Ownership | For profit - Corporation |
| Certified beds | 179 |
| Average residents per day | 167.3 |
| Inside a hospital | No |
| Continuing care retirement community | No |
Nursing homes nearby
- Florida Presbyterian Homes Inc Lakeland · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
- The Manor at Carpenters Lakeland · ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars
- The Club at Lake Gibson Lakeland · ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars
- Wedgewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center Lakeland · ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars
- Breezy Hills Rehab and Care Center Lakeland · ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars
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Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from Highlands Lake Center on Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.