BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER
604 1ST STREET NE, Forest Lake, MN 55025
Based on 2026 CMS Data
Official Government Ratings
Health Inspections
Frequency & severity of deficiencies
Staffing Levels
Nurse hours per resident per day
Quality Measures
Clinical outcomes & care quality
Resident Council Active
Active councils indicate resident empowerment and facility transparency.
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Free guide: the exact questions to ask BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER, how to pull the public records (ownership, inspections, penalties), and how to request the info that isn't online — like the medical director.
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Care Quality Indicators
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
How BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER Compares
BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER is a 100-bed nonprofit nursing facility in Forest Lake, Minnesota. It holds an overall CMS rating of 2 out of 5 stars, below the Minnesota average of 3.2 stars. Its strongest area is quality measures (5 stars), while health inspections (1 star) is its weakest. Its rate of high-risk residents with pressure ulcers (2.6%) is below the Minnesota average of 5.2%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 100 certified beds, it maintains moderate occupancy at roughly 84% occupied.
By the numbers vs. Minnesota average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 12.1% — better than the Minnesota average of 17.0% (29% lower).
- Falls with major injury: 2.0% — better than the Minnesota average of 4.0% (49% lower).
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 2.6% — better than the Minnesota average of 5.2% (50% lower).
- Short-stay rehospitalization: 19.1% — better than the Minnesota average of 23.6%.
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated September 9, 2026) measured against Minnesota averages across 338 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER with other nursing homes in Forest Lake.
How is BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER addressing its health inspections rating?
CMS currently rates this category 1 out of 5 stars, so ask what specific improvements are underway and when the next survey update is expected.
What practices help BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER keep long-stay antipsychotic medication use below the state average?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 12.1% here versus 17.0% across Minnesota. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What practices help BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER keep falls with major injury below the state average?
Falls with major injury is 2.0% here versus 4.0% across Minnesota. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
What would the first 30 days look like for a new resident at BIRCHWOOD HEALTH CARE CENTER?
Ask who builds the care plan, how medication changes are communicated, how often families receive updates, and who to call after hours.
The Senior Community Around Forest Lake
Forest Lake sits in Washington County, where adults 65 and older make up about 14.9% of the population — a share of seniors in line with Minnesota as a whole (15.8% statewide). The area's median household income is higher than the state average, reflecting a higher cost of living.
- Residents 65+
- 38,712 (14.9%)
- Median age
- 39.5 years
- Median household income
- $97,584
- Median home value
- $301,000
Demographics for Washington County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Forest Lake.
Facility Details
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