Koochiching County, Minnesota · Nursing home
Littlefork Care Center
1 of 5 overall from CMS
912 Main Street, Littlefork, MN 56653
At a glance
- Overall rating 1 of 5 Below the state average of 3.2
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.41 hours Below the state average of 4.19
- Nursing staff who left in a year 52.8% Above the state average of 42.2%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 33 1 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $218,595 1 fine
- Certified beds in use 86.4% of 42 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Littlefork Care Center is a 42-bed nursing home in Littlefork, Minnesota (Koochiching County). CMS rates it 1 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.41 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the Minnesota average of 4.19. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $218,595 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 42
- Residents per day (average)
- 36.3
- Certified since
- 1991 (35 yrs)
Non profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of St. Francis Health Services (14 homes)
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Littlefork Care Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 1 fine totaling $218,595 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- CMS counts 12 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Dec 10, 2025 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Minnesota average is 7.1. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 52.8%, above the Minnesota average of 42.2%. How often would the same aides care for my relative?Turnover in CMS data
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 1 of 5 Minnesota average 3.2
- Health inspections 1 of 5 Minnesota average 2.8
- Staffing 4 of 5 Minnesota average 4.1
- Quality measures 2 of 5 Minnesota average 3.1
The vertical line marks the Minnesota average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 3.41 h Minnesota average 4.19
- Nurse aides 1.82 h Minnesota average 2.52
- Licensed practical nurses 0.74 h Minnesota average 0.61
- Registered nurses 0.84 h Minnesota average 1.06
- All staff, weekends 2.83 h Minnesota average 3.71
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 10 hours. The vertical line marks the Minnesota average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover52.8%
- Minnesota average42.2%
- Registered nurse turnover55.6%
- Minnesota average38.6%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Minnesota and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 11.5% | 18.2% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 7.6% | 4.1% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 4.2% | 1.9% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 5.8% | 2.6% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 4.2% | 4.1% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 5.0% | 4.0% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 97.8% | 97.4% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 7.3% | 20.5% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 19.7% | 12.5% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 100.0% | 96.1% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 5.5% | 5.2% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 13.7% | 24.5% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 41.0% | 17.1% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.61 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | Too few residents or stays to report | 1.90 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Minnesota | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 54.2% | 88.1% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.0% | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Too few residents or stays to report | 82.7% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | Too few residents or stays to report | 23.5% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | Too few residents or stays to report | 14.8% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 33 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 was at the immediate jeopardy level; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 9 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Feb 27, 2025: Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 10, 2025 | 12 | 0 |
| Feb 27, 2025 | 21 | 3 |
| Dec 6, 2023 | 0 | 2 |
Minnesota homes averaged 7.1 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (33)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
Show 25 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 6, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 6, 2025)
-
LImmediate jeopardy, widespread
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Complaint investigation · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025)
-
CPotential for minimal harm, widespread
Allow residents to easily view the nursing home's survey results and communicate with advocate agencies.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
CPotential for minimal harm, widespread
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 27, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 31, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 17, 2025)
Showing the 30 most recent of 33.
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 2025 | Fine | $218,595 |
| Feb 20, 2025 | Payment Denial | 47 days |
Minnesota homes averaged 0.8 fines and $24,507 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Minnesota
- Size274 of 338 by certified beds
- Minnesota average residents per day60.3
- ChainSt. Francis Health Services
- Chain average overall rating2.9 of 5
- Resident or family councilBoth
- Homes in Koochiching County2
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Littlefork Care Center?
Littlefork Care Center has an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 1, staffing is 4 and quality measures is 2.
How many beds does Littlefork Care Center have?
Littlefork Care Center has 42 certified beds. It averages 36.3 residents per day, about 86.4% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Littlefork Care Center?
The home reports 3.41 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.84 hours from registered nurses. The Minnesota average is 4.19 hours and 1.06 hours from registered nurses.
Has Littlefork Care Center been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 1 fine totaling $218,595 in the past three years. It also lists 1 payment denial.
Does Littlefork Care Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 4 of 5 Good Samaritan Society - International Falls 54beds 94.3%in use 4.08nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Bigfork Valley Communities 40beds 51.2%in use 6.04nurse hours a day
- 4 of 5 Lakewood Care Center 32beds 86.6%in use 4.41nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Koochiching County
Who to call in Minnesota
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Minnesota.
- Long-term care ombudsman Office of Ombudsman for Long-Term Care (OOLTC) 1-800-657-3591 (Also 651-431-2555. Calls answered 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday. TDD/TTY: 711. Email MBA.OOLTC@state.mn.us; fax 651-431-7452.) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Office of Health Facility Complaints (OHFC) 651-201-4200 (Email: health.ohfc-complaints@state.mn.us. MDH directs suspected maltreatment of a vulnerable adult (abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, unexplained injury) to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center (MAARC), 844-880-1574 (toll free).) The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Minnesota staffing, bed-hold and Medicaid rules · Residents' rights in every state
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 245542. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.