Highlands Lake Center

Name: Highlands Lake Center
Address: 4240 LAKELAND HIGHLANDS RD, Lakeland, FL, 33813, US
Telephone: 8636468699

4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 · Polk County · 179 certified beds · avg 167 residents/day · certified since Sep 29, 1988

Part of chain: ASTON HEALTH (38 facilities, chain avg rating 2.7★)

2/5

Health inspection rating (on-site)

Serious findings on record

Fines, last 3 years

3.49

Nurse hours/resident/day (adjusted)

What health inspectors found (on-site government inspections — the most independent evidence available)

Health inspection rating: ★★☆☆☆2/5 · CMS overall rating: 2/5

⚠ The most recent standard health inspection was more than 2 years ago — conditions may have changed.

The health inspection star above is graded on a curve within each state — a set share of each state's facilities gets each star level — so a facility can have few citations and still rate 2–3 stars if others in its state did even better. The overall rating combines that inspection score with staffing and self-reported quality measures.

All citations in the current public record (32)

CMS publishes roughly the last three inspection cycles plus recent complaint investigations. Older surveys drop out of the record as new ones are completed.

Date	Severity	What the facility was cited for
Nov 5, 2025	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist. · from a complaint
Nov 5, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide safe and appropriate pain management for a resident who needed it. · from a complaint
Apr 17, 2025	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not honor residents' right to voice complaints without discrimination or retaliation, or did not have a working complaint process that resolves issues promptly. · from a complaint
Apr 17, 2025	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide or obtain laboratory tests when a doctor ordered them, or did not promptly report the results back to the doctor who ordered them. · from a complaint
Aug 6, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, including safe support for residents' daily living needs. · from a complaint
Aug 6, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not honor residents' right to voice complaints without discrimination or retaliation, or did not have a working complaint process that resolves issues promptly. · from a complaint
Aug 6, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock. · from a complaint
Mar 7, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not give residents proper notice about what Medicare or Medicaid covers, or about charges the resident might owe for services that aren't covered. · from a complaint
Mar 7, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not accurately assess a resident's health and needs. Assessments are the foundation for all the care a resident receives.
Mar 7, 2024	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not coordinate resident assessments with the state's pre-admission screening program for mental illness and intellectual disabilities, or failed to refer residents for the special services they need.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not honor residents' individual preferences, choices, values, and beliefs in their daily life and care.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide treatment and care that follows the doctor's orders and matches the resident's own preferences and goals. · from a complaint
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide appropriate care related to bladder and bowel needs — including care for residents who use catheters and steps to prevent urinary tract infections.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not safely and appropriately administer IV fluids (fluids given through a vein) for residents who needed them.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not protect residents' personal information or did not keep complete, accurate medical records that meet professional standards.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not have or follow an effective program to prevent and control infections — such as proper hand washing, cleaning, and isolation practices. This is the most commonly cited deficiency nationwide. · from a complaint
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not keep its building and grounds safe, functional, clean, and comfortable for residents, staff, and visitors.
Mar 7, 2024	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not maintain an effective pest control program to prevent or deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Nov 18, 2021	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not provide food that accounts for each resident's allergies, intolerances, and personal preferences, or did not offer appealing alternatives.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not treat residents with dignity and respect, or did not honor their rights to make their own decisions and communicate freely. This is one of the most fundamental resident rights.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not give residents (and their representatives and the ombudsman, a state advocate for residents) proper advance notice before a transfer or discharge, including information about their right to appeal.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not give the resident or their representative written notice of how long it would hold the resident's bed during a hospital stay or approved leave.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide enough food and fluids to keep residents healthy, such as preventing unplanned weight loss or dehydration.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide safe and appropriate respiratory care — such as oxygen, breathing treatments, or care for residents on breathing equipment — for residents who needed it.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility did not provide pharmacy services that meet each resident's needs, or did not employ or contract with a licensed pharmacist.
Nov 18, 2021	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time.
Feb 28, 2020	E · Potential for harm, repeated	The facility did not label drugs according to professional standards or did not store them in locked compartments, with controlled drugs (medications with a high risk of misuse) kept under a separate lock.
Feb 28, 2020	D · Potential for harm, one-off	The facility's medication error rate was 5 percent or higher — meaning too many doses were given incorrectly, such as the wrong drug, dose, or time.

Inspection trend by year

Citations from standard inspections increased between the last two inspection cycles (8 → 15).

Year	Citations	Worst severity that year
2020	2	E
2021	8	E
2024	18	E
2025	4	E

Counts reflect the current CMS public record (~3 inspection cycles plus complaint investigations); years with no surveys show no row. Inspection frequency varies, so compare severity as well as counts.

Fines and enforcement (last 3 years)

No fines or payment denials in the published 3-year window.

Nurse staffing (from payroll records, adjusted for how much care residents need)

Measure	This facility	Florida avg	U.S. avg	Where it stands
Total nurse staffing (hours per resident per day)	3.49	4.03	3.95	bottom 14% in Florida; bottom 36% in the U.S.
Registered Nurse hours	0.74	0.76	0.69	top 41% in Florida; top 33% in the U.S.
Weekend total nurse staffing	3.26	3.68	3.50	bottom 18% in Florida; bottom 45% in the U.S.
Weekend RN hours (not acuity-adjusted)	0.66	0.53	0.48	top 24% in Florida; top 19% in the U.S.
Total nursing staff turnover (%)	53.5	41.4	45.8	bottom 20% in Florida; bottom 28% in the U.S.
RN turnover (%)	46.9	46.0	42.9	bottom 49% in Florida; bottom 40% in the U.S.

Hours are per resident per day, case-mix adjusted by CMS so facilities caring for sicker residents can be compared fairly (same basis as the CMS staffing star). "Top X%" means better than most facilities: more staffing hours, or lower turnover. Raw (unadjusted) reported hours: total 3.32, RN 0.70, weekend 3.09. Staffing rating: 3/5.

Self-reported quality measures

Note: these ratings are based on data the facility reports about itself to CMS. They are not independently verified by inspectors, and can look better than inspection findings. Give more weight to the inspection results above.

Quality measures rating: 4/5 · long-stay residents: 5/5 · short-stay residents: 2/5

Who owns this facility

For profit - Corporation

Owner / manager	Type	Role	Stake	Since
Friedman, Leopold	Individual	Indirect Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	12/15/2023
Gabriel Living Center, LLC	Organization	Direct Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	12/15/2023
Gutman, Samuel	Individual	Indirect Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	01/01/2021
Highlands Lake Holdco LLC	Organization	Direct Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	12/15/2023
Lce Partners LLC	Organization	Indirect Ownership Interest	NOT APPLICABLE	01/01/2021
Aston Healthcare LLC	Organization	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	07/09/2025
Burgess, Tammie	Individual	Managing Control - Governing Body	NOT APPLICABLE	05/08/2025
Burgess, Tammie	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	05/08/2025
Prashad, Shaliza	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	11/07/2023
Reinoso, Jose	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	06/10/2022
Reinoso, Jose	Individual	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	07/09/2025
Thacker, Tricia	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	04/04/2022
Williams, Ellis	Individual	Operational/Managerial Control	NOT APPLICABLE	01/02/2024
Williams, Ellis	Individual	ADP of the SNF	NOT APPLICABLE	03/18/2025

Questions to ask on your visit

Generated from this facility's actual citation record — bring them to a tour and ask the administrator directly.

"How does your pharmacist review residents' medications, and how quickly can you fill new or urgent prescriptions?"
"How do you assess and manage residents' pain, especially for those who have trouble communicating?"
"Walk me through what happens when a resident or family files a grievance — who responds and how fast?"
"When a doctor orders lab work, how quickly is it done and how are results communicated back?"
"Can we tour the resident rooms, bathrooms, and common areas today, including areas not on the usual tour route?"
"Can you show me how medications are stored and secured on the units, including controlled drugs?"
"Before any service that isn't covered by Medicare or Medicaid, how will you notify us and get our agreement?"
"Who completes resident assessments here, and how do you check them for accuracy?"
"What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
"Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"

Nearby facilities (within 20 miles)

Facility	Distance	City	Overall	Inspection	Flags
Scott Lake Health and Rehabilitation Center	3.0 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★☆☆☆	1/5	abuse
Bridgewalk on Harden Health and Rehabilitation, LL	3.2 mi	Lakeland, FL	★☆☆☆☆	1/5
Florida Presbyterian Homes INC	3.8 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★★★★	3/5
Charming Lakes Rehab	5.8 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Lakeland Hills Center	5.9 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★☆☆☆	1/5
Vivo Healthcare Lakeland	6.0 mi	Lakeland, FL	★☆☆☆☆	1/5
Valencia Hills Health and Rehabilitation Center	8.1 mi	Lakeland, FL	★☆☆☆☆	1/5
Manor at Carpenters, the	8.2 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★★★☆	4/5
The Club at Lake Gibson	8.2 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★★☆☆	2/5
Wedgewood Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center	8.2 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★☆☆☆	3/5
Breezy Hills Rehab and Care Center	8.5 mi	Lakeland, FL	★★☆☆☆	2/5
Bartow Center	9.5 mi	Bartow, FL	★★☆☆☆	2/5

Compare this facility with the 3 closest →

All facilities in Lakeland →

Facility data as of CMS processing date 2026-08-01. CCN 105620.

The Care File

Visit checklist — Highlands Lake Center

4240 Lakeland Highlands Rd, Lakeland, FL 33813 · 8636468699

Health inspection rating 2/5 · CMS overall 2/5· Fines (3y): $0

Questions for the administrator:

☐ "How does your pharmacist review residents' medications, and how quickly can you fill new or urgent prescriptions?"
☐ "How do you assess and manage residents' pain, especially for those who have trouble communicating?"
☐ "Walk me through what happens when a resident or family files a grievance — who responds and how fast?"
☐ "When a doctor orders lab work, how quickly is it done and how are results communicated back?"
☐ "Can we tour the resident rooms, bathrooms, and common areas today, including areas not on the usual tour route?"
☐ "Can you show me how medications are stored and secured on the units, including controlled drugs?"
☐ "Before any service that isn't covered by Medicare or Medicaid, how will you notify us and get our agreement?"
☐ "Who completes resident assessments here, and how do you check them for accuracy?"
☐ "What is your current ratio of nursing staff to residents on day, evening, and weekend shifts?"
☐ "Can I see the results and plan of correction from your most recent state inspection?"

While you're there, notice:

☐ Smell and cleanliness in hallways, not just the lobby
☐ How staff speak to residents; call lights answered promptly
☐ Residents up, dressed, and engaged (visit mealtimes and a weekend if you can)

Data: CMS Provider Data Catalog, version 2026-08-01 · CCN 105620 · Verify at medicare.gov/care-compare · Printed from The Care File (thecarefile.com)