Buffalo Lake Health Care Center
703 West Yellowstone Trail, Buffalo Lake, MN 55314 · (320) 833-5364
Non profit - Corporation · 49 certified beds
Buffalo Lake Health Care Center has a 4-star overall rating from Medicare, out of 5. Its last standard inspection, in January 2026, found 8 citations (the Minnesota 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. | ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars · Above average |
| Health inspectionsFrom the two most recent standard inspections and three years of complaint inspections, compared with other homes in the same state. | ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars · 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. | ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars · Below average |
| StaffingFrom payroll records of nurse hours per resident, adjusted for how much care residents need, and staff turnover. | ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars · Much above average |
How to read a nursing home's star ratings
Most recent health inspection
The standard health inspection on January 8, 2026 found 8 citations. What an inspection citation means
- Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.January 8, 2026 · F0812 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Many
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.January 8, 2026 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Many
- Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.January 8, 2026 · F0882 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Many
- Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.January 8, 2026 · F0580 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual DisabilitiesJanuary 8, 2026 · F0645 · 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.January 8, 2026 · F0684 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- 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.January 8, 2026 · F0808 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.January 8, 2026 · F0881 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Complaint inspections, last three years
Inspections after complaints found 1 citation.
- Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.December 28, 2023 · F0609 · 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 | Minnesota average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing | 4.60 | 4.19 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.76 | 1.06 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 0.48 | 0.61 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aides | 3.37 | 2.52 | 2.32 |
| Total nursing staff turnover | 42.6% | 42.2% | 45.8% |
About this home
| Ownership | Non profit - Corporation |
| Certified beds | 49 |
| Average residents per day | 45.3 |
| Inside a hospital | No |
| Continuing care retirement community | No |
Nursing homes nearby
- Franklin Restorative Care Center Franklin · ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars
- Olivia Restorative Care Center Olivia · ★★★★★ 1 out of 5 stars
- Renvilla Health Center Renville · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
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Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from Buffalo Lake Health Care Center on Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.