Nursing Home in Dubuque, IA · CMS Data August 2026

Dubuque Specialty Care

How Does Dubuque Specialty Care Rate?

Dubuque Specialty Care is a 84-bed nonprofit nursing home in Dubuque, IA. CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall (August 2026), with 2 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 3 for quality measures. Residents got an average of 2.9 hours of nursing care per resident per day, against a national median of 3.7 hours. Its last standard health inspection, on July 30, 2025, cited 8 health deficiencies.

CMS overall rating: 2 of 5
Nursing per resident per day: 2.9 hours
Deficiencies at last inspection: 8
Certified beds: 84

Reviewed by Senior Care Help Editorial Team ·October 6, 2026

2935 Kaufmann Avenue
Dubuque, IA 52001

2 of 5 CMS overall · Below average

From CMS Care Compare, data processed August 1, 2026. A listing is not an endorsement, and no home pays to appear.

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Nursing home (CMS listing)This facility

CMS Star Ratings

CMS star ratings for Dubuque Specialty Care
Rating	Stars	CMS label
Overall rating	2 of 5	Below average
Health inspections	2 of 5	Below average
Staffing	3 of 5	Average
Quality measures	3 of 5	Average
Quality for long-stay residents	2 of 5	Below average
Quality for short-stay residents	4 of 5	Above average

CMS compares each home with others in its state for the inspection rating. See how CMS star ratings work.

Staffing and Turnover

Staffing at Dubuque Specialty Care and the national median
Measure	This home	National median
Total nursing hours per resident per day	2.9 hours	3.7 hours
Registered nurse hours per resident per day	0.6 hours	0.6 hours
Nurse aide hours per resident per day	1.8 hours	2.2 hours
Total nursing hours per resident on weekends	2.4 hours	3.3 hours
Nursing staff turnover (past year)	57%	45%
Registered nurse turnover (past year)	71%	42%

Hours are reported by the home through CMS's payroll-based staffing data. Turnover is the share of nursing staff who left over the year. Why staffing matters.

Inspections and Penalties

Inspections and penalties for Dubuque Specialty Care
Last standard health inspection	July 30, 2025
Health deficiencies cited at that inspection	8
Deficiencies from complaint inspections (same rating cycle)	1
Fines in the past 3 years	1 totaling $53,372
Payment denials in the past 3 years	1

The full inspection reports, with each deficiency described, are on the home's Medicare Care Compare page.

Quality Measures for Long-Stay Residents

The share of residents in long-term care (101 days or more) at Dubuque Specialty Care who, according to CMS's resident assessments (2025Q2 to 2026Q1):

Long-stay quality measures for Dubuque Specialty Care
Residents who	This home	National median	Compared
Received an antipsychotic medication	28%	13%	Higher than the national median
Received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication	23%	18%	Higher than the national median
Had a fall with major injury	5.2%	2.8%	Higher than the national median
Have pressure ulcers	3.0%	4.2%	Lower than the national median
Lost too much weight	1.9%	4.7%	Lower than the national median
Were physically restrained	0.0%	0.0%	At the national median
Have depressive symptoms	1.4%	3.6%	Lower than the national median
Needed more help with daily activities over time	7.9%	13%	Lower than the national median

Lower is better for each measure. Antipsychotic use matters most for residents with dementia: what families should know.

About the Home

Facts about Dubuque Specialty Care
Certified beds	84
Average residents per day	52
Ownership	Non profit - Corporation
Legal business name	CARE INITIATIVES
Chain or affiliated group	CARE INITIATIVES (43 homes)
Certified for	Medicare and Medicaid
First certified	May 1994
Councils	Resident council

Before you choose, visit at different times of day and ask about openings, costs and Medicaid beds. How to choose a nursing home has CMS's checklist, and Iowa's Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman (866-236-1430) can answer questions about residents' rights. See all nursing homes and senior care in Iowa.