Birchwood Health Care Center
CMS rates Birchwood Health Care Center 1 out of 5 overall. Federal inspectors issued 54 citations across 13 inspections in the last three years, with $139,646 in fines. Listing last updated 2026-11-06.
Public record summary
About this facility — Birchwood Health Care Center
Birchwood Health Care Center is a Medicare/Medicaid-certified skilled nursing facility in Forest Lake, Minnesota. It is licensed for 100 beds — well above the median for skilled nursing facilities in Minnesota (60 beds).
It is one of 7 senior care facilities in Forest Lake and 338 skilled nursing facilities across Minnesota. Families comparing options should weigh inspection history, ownership record, and litigation — not just the tour — before deciding.
Federal inspectors have cited Birchwood Health Care Center 54 times across 13 inspections in the last three years, including 1 food-safety citation, and CMS has imposed $139,646 in fines. Every citation is listed, dated, and graded in the inspection record below.
This listing draws on federal CMS Nursing Home Compare records, and was last updated on November 6, 2026. Background reports are compiled from primary sources — state inspection files, federal CMS data, corporate registrations, and court records — at the time of order.
Facility background
Inspection record
Quality of care & staffing
Cited more than once
The same rule cited at separate inspections can point to a problem that wasn't fully fixed.
- F-0689 5 inspections. Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- F-0880 3 inspections. Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0550 2 inspections. Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
- F-0684 2 inspections. Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- K-0222 2 inspections. Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
- K-0291 2 inspections. Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
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Who to contact in Minnesota
- Licensing: Minnesota Department of Health
- File a complaint: 800-369-7994
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman: 800-657-3591. A free advocate for residents and families.
- Adult Protective Services: 844-880-1574. Some states send facility cases to licensing instead. In an emergency, call 911.
- Eldercare Locator: 800-677-1116, a federal service for local aging help.
Nearest emergency hospitals
- Fairview Lakes Health Services, about 2.6 miles. CMS rating 3 of 5.
- Ladd Memorial Hospital, about 14 miles.
- M Health Fairview St John's Hospital, about 18 miles. CMS rating 5 of 5.
Nearby facilities with inspection records
- Meadows On Fairview, Wyoming, about 2.5 miles. CMS rating 4 of 5.
- Parmly On the Lake, Chisago City, about 6.9 miles. CMS rating 1 of 5.
- Waverly Gardens, North Oaks, about 12 miles. CMS rating 3 of 5.
- Christian Community Home of Osceola, Osceola, about 14 miles. CMS rating 4 of 5.
- Cerenity Care Center White Bear Lake, White Bear Lake, about 14 miles. CMS rating 4 of 5.