University Heights Care Center Ratings and Violations

A nursing home should be a place of respite, medical care, and comfortable accommodations for aging adults and individuals living there for recovery reasons. Unfortunately, many assisted living facilities in the United States have serious deficiencies that put residents in harm’s way. University Heights Care Center in Aurora, CO, is one example of a nursing home with questionable standards and concerning quality ratings. Residents who experience these failures could face abuse, neglect, or misconduct that causes them harm.

At the Nursing Home Law Center, we work with survivors of abuse or neglect to fight for fair compensation from the at-fault parties. Our supportive nursing home abuse lawyers will stand by your side during the claims process to increase your chances of a fair settlement. In this guide, we will evaluate the history of low ratings and violations at University Heights Care Center.

University Heights Care Center: Skilled Nursing Facility Profile

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) publishes information about individual nursing homes in the United States. On the CMS website, you can find location data, past inspection reports, specific deficiencies, and facility ratings.

Here is the latest data on University Heights Care Center in Aurora, CO:

Facility Name: University Heights Care Center (Birch Care Community LLC)

Address: 656 Dillon Way, Aurora, CO 80011

CMS Overall Rating: 2 stars (below average)

CMS Health Inspection Rating: 1 star (much below average)

CMS Staffing Rating: 4 stars (above average)

CMS Quality Measures Rating: 5 stars (much above average)

Federal Fines in the Last 3 Years: 1 fine totaling $9,315

Denied Payments by Medicare in the Last 3 Years: 0 payment denials

Cited for Abuse: No

SFF: No

About University Heights Care Center in Aurora, Colorado

University Heights Care Center, also known as University Heights Rehab & Care Community, is a skilled nursing facility in Aurora, Colorado. This nursing home focuses on person-centered care for short-term rehabilitation and long-term residency patients. It is owned by a for-profit LLC, Vivage Senior Living, which is a local corporate nursing home chain. This 105-bed facility is not part of a hospital or continuing care retirement community.

Residents at University Heights Rehab & Care Community can access the following services:

• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Speech language therapists
• Behavioral health care
• 24/7 skilled nursing care
• Respite care
• Wound care
• Memory care
• Pain management
• Private and semi-private rooms
• Personalized care plans
• Support for nutritional needs
• Social interaction
• Recreational schedule
• Additional amenities

University Heights Rehab and Care Community CMS Ratings, Violations, and Health Care Safety Inspections

The CMS has a five-star rating system for nursing homes that grades three main categories: health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. These three scores also inform the nursing home’s overall rating. University Heights Care Center has a range of scores that puts it among the lowest-performing nursing homes in Colorado.

In the sections below, we will look at deficiencies in the three CMS categories.

Health Inspections (One Star)

The most recent health inspection of University Heights Rehab & Care Community, conducted in January 2024, listed 21 health citations, far exceeding the Colorado average of 8.8 and the national average of 9.8. Since October 2024, one inspection has been conducted due to complaints. In the last three years, 15 complaints and eight facility-reported issues have resulted in health citations.

Specific deficiencies cited in these reports include the failure to:

• Protect each resident from all types of abuse, such as physical, mental, and sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect
• Respond appropriately to all alleged violations
• Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services
• Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards, indicating a risk of nursing home falls
• Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia
• Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program
• Plan the resident’s discharge to meet the resident’s goals and needs
• Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident
• 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
• Ensure food and drink are palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature
• Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action
• Provide enough food and fluids to maintain a resident’s well-being, raising questions about nursing home nutrition neglect
• Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable
• Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing, indicating nursing home wound management problems
• Ensure that medication error rates are not five percent or greater
• Ensure that drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles
• Assist a resident in gaining access to vision and hearing services
• Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations
• Implement PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
• 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
• Ensure that the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options
• Ensure that menus meet the nutritional needs of residents, are prepared in advance, are followed, are updated, and are reviewed by a dietician
• Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations and emergencies

Staffing (Four Stars)

Although staffing is not a major area of concern at University Heights Care Center (four stars is considered above average), there are still several areas of concern related to the staff makeup at the nursing home in Adams County:

• 3 hours and 3 minutes of nurse staff hours per resident per day, compared to the Colorado average of 3 hours and 42 minutes and the national average of 3 hours and 54 minutes
• 42 minutes of registered nurse hours per resident per day, compared to the Colorado average of 51 minutes
• 37 minutes of licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse hours per resident per day, compared to the Colorado average of 41 minutes and the national average of 52 minutes
• 1 hour and 44 minutes of nurse aide hours per resident per day, compared to 2 hours and 11 minutes in Colorado and 2 hours and 21 minutes nationally

• 2 hours and 30 minutes of nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend, compared to the Colorado average of 3 hours and 15 minutes and the national average of 3 hours and 25 minutes
• 1 minute of physical therapist staff hours per resident per day, compared to the Colorado average of 5 minutes and the national average of 4 minutes
• 24 minutes of registered nurse hours per resident per day, compared to the Colorado average of 37 minutes and the national average of 28 minutes
• A registered nurse turnover rate of 46.7%, compared to the Colorado average of 46.4% and the national average of 43.6%

Quality Measures and Respite Care (Five Stars)

This category measures the quality of services at University Heights Rehab & Care Community, which CMS considers well above average. However, several deficiencies have still placed some residents at risk of harm from abuse, neglect, or other forms of misconduct:

• 3.2% of short-stay residents received antipsychotic medication for the first time, compared to the Colorado average of 1.4% and the national average of 1.6%, indicating a failure to control the use of chemical restraints
• 63.44% of short-stay residents needed and received a vaccine to prevent pneumonia, compared to the Colorado average of 76.61% and the national average of 81.67%, raising concerns about nursing home respiratory infections
• 2.1% of long-stay residents had a urinary tract infection, compared to the Colorado average of 1.4% and the national average of 1.8%, demonstrating an inability to address nursing home UTI treatment failures
• 91.2% of long-stay residents needed and received a flu shot for the current flu season, compared to the Colorado average of 94.7% and the national average of 95.4%

Residents’ Legal Rights Following Abuse or Neglect at University Heights Rehab & Care Community in Aurora, CO

Whether you are staying at University Heights Care Center due to behavioral health challenges, continued recovery post-surgery, or other medical needs, the nursing home must uphold your rights under state and federal laws, which include:

• The right to receive compassionate care
• The right to maintain dignity
• The right to file an administrative complaint

If you are a victim of abuse, neglect, or a violation of your resident rights, the nursing home may be liable for any legal damages you suffer as a result of the ensuing harm. A Colorado nursing home abuse lawyer from our firm can help you recover the following economic and non-economic losses from your civil claim:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Emotional distress
• Pain and suffering
• Disability and disfigurement
• Loss of enjoyment of life

How Nursing Home Law Center Can Help Protect Nursing Home Residents

At the Nursing Home Law Center, we know what it takes to build a strong claim and fight for the settlement you deserve. We have held many nursing homes, like University Heights Care Center, accountable for deficiencies that cause harm.

An Aurora nursing home neglect attorney can provide the following legal services during your lawsuit:

• Investigating University Heights for wrongdoing
• Gathering evidence of negligence
• Assessing all legal damages to maximize compensation
• Protecting your rights under Colorado and federal laws
• Negotiating with insurance companies for full compensation
• Litigating in civil court if necessary

Our dedicated attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, which means you owe nothing unless we win. Additionally, you can ask questions about the legal process during a free consultation with our expert lawyers.

If you or a loved one has suffered in the long-term nursing care programs at University Heights Rehab & Care Community, contact us today at 800-926-7565 or complete the online form to schedule your free consultation.

All content undergoes a thorough legal review by our experienced attorneys.

Jonathan Rosenfeld is a leading Chicago nursing home injury lawyer with 25 years of experience focused on elder abuse litigation. Recognized for his dedication, he has received recognition from Illinois Trial Lawyers, Million Dollar Advocates, and Super Lawyers.