Boone County, Missouri · Nursing home
Bluffs, the
1 of 5 overall from CMS
3105 Bluff Creek Drive, Columbia, MO 65201
At a glance
- Overall rating 1 of 5 Below the state average of 2.5
- Nurse time per resident, per day 4.20 hours Above the state average of 3.43
- Nursing staff who left in a year 61.8% Above the state average of 56.0%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 41 3 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $37,621 3 fines
- Certified beds in use 89.5% of 132 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.
Bluffs, the is a 132-bed nursing home in Columbia, Missouri (Boone County). CMS rates it 1 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 4.20 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Missouri average of 3.43. CMS lists 3 fines totaling $37,621 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 132
- Residents per day (average)
- 118.1
- Certified since
- 1992 (34 yrs)
Non profit - Corporation Participates in Medicare and Medicaid
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 Bluffs, the
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 3 fines totaling $37,621 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- CMS counts 13 health deficiencies in the latest inspection cycle (the standard inspection on Jan 30, 2026 plus complaint and infection-control inspections); the Missouri average is 11.4. Which have been corrected?Inspection results in CMS data
- Nursing staff turnover is 61.8%, above the Missouri average of 56.0%. 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 Missouri average 2.5
- Health inspections 1 of 5 Missouri average 2.8
- Staffing 3 of 5 Missouri average 2.2
- Quality measures 3 of 5 Missouri average 2.7
The vertical line marks the Missouri 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 4.20 h Missouri average 3.43
- Nurse aides 3.02 h Missouri average 2.29
- Licensed practical nurses 0.59 h Missouri average 0.68
- Registered nurses 0.59 h Missouri average 0.46
- All staff, weekends 3.83 h Missouri average 3.01
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 10 hours. The vertical line marks the Missouri average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover61.8%
- Missouri average56.0%
- Registered nurse turnover56.5%
- Missouri average47.8%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Missouri 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 | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 22.2% | 18.1% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 5.8% | 5.3% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 3.5% | 1.1% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 2.7% | 2.3% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 0.8% | 18.5% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 6.2% | 4.1% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 75.1% | 84.1% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 18.8% | 17.4% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 17.3% | 25.6% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 58.4% | 90.9% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 3.4% | 4.5% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 24.0% | 17.8% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 11.3% | 23.5% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.06 | 2.11 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 2.35 | 2.33 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Missouri | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 44.2% | 65.7% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 1.6% | 2.2% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 30.0% | 63.5% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 15.4% | 26.0% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 23.2% | 13.7% | 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 41 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 1 was at the immediate jeopardy level and 2 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 16 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on Feb 24, 2025: Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 30, 2026 | 13 | 5 |
| Nov 1, 2024 | 11 | 9 |
| Jun 29, 2023 | 17 | 18 |
Missouri homes averaged 11.4 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 (41)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
Show 25 more
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
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 (Mar 16, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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 16, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
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.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Mar 16, 2026)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Complaint investigation · Pharmacy Service · Past Non-Compliance (Feb 5, 2025)
-
GActual 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 (Feb 19, 2025)
-
JImmediate jeopardy, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Complaint investigation · Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Complaint investigation · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Complaint investigation · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Complaint investigation · Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
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.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 9, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 21, 2024)
-
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 (Jun 21, 2024)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Complaint investigation · Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 11, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 12, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
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 (Jan 21, 2024)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Complaint investigation · Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jan 21, 2024)
Showing the 30 most recent of 41.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 14, 2025 | Fine | $9,110 |
| Jan 14, 2025 | Fine | $9,110 |
| Nov 1, 2024 | Fine | $19,401 |
Missouri homes averaged 0.8 fines and $37,425 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 Missouri
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Bluffs, the?
Bluffs, the has an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 1, staffing is 3 and quality measures is 3.
How many beds does Bluffs, the have?
Bluffs, the has 132 certified beds. It averages 118.1 residents per day, about 89.5% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Bluffs, the?
The home reports 4.20 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.59 hours from registered nurses. The Missouri average is 3.43 hours and 0.46 hours from registered nurses.
Has Bluffs, the been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 3 fines totaling $37,621 in the past three years.
Does Bluffs, the 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
- 2 of 5 Neighborhoods Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing B 120beds 75.8%in use 5.17nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 Lenoir Health Care Center 56beds 88.0%in use 4.88nurse hours a day
- 2 of 5 Columbia Manor Health & Rehabilitation 52beds 81.7%in use 2.56nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Boone County
Who to call in Missouri
These offices serve residents of every nursing home in Missouri.
- Long-term care ombudsman Missouri Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program 800-309-3282 (Email: LTCOmbudsman@health.mo.gov) An advocate for residents and their families.
- File a complaint about a nursing home Adult Abuse and Neglect Hotline (long-term care facility complaints) 1-800-392-0210 (7 days a week, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Relay Missouri 1-800-735-2966. Reports can also be made online (moapss.health.mo.gov, linked from Health.Mo.Gov/abuse).) The state agency that inspects nursing homes.
Missouri 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 265498. 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.