Hearth Record

SSM Health St Clare Hospital - Baraboo

An acute care hospital in Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913

707 14th St, Baraboo, Wisconsin 53913. (608) 356-1400.

  • Medicare payments cut under the HAC Reduction Program (fiscal year 2026)
CMS’s own record, on Care Compare

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The short answer

Record last released by CMS on Oct 20, 2026.

The last 24 months 1 deficiency in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Apr 2024. Most serious: Standard-level. Every month

Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.

What these words mean3
Star ratings
CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
Inspection (survey)
A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
Deficiency, citation, violation
What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.

What did inspectors find?

The last inspection on record was on Aug 27, 2025: a complaint inspection.

1 deficiency cited in the last three years.

Source:

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

When those deficiencies happened

1 deficiency in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Apr 2024. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

1 deficiency by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.

Each deficiency, as cited

Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.

Source:

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

Apr 30, 2024: complaint inspection1 deficiency

  • Rn Supervision Of Nursing Care

    The inspectors’ words, 1,177 words

    “RN SUPERVISION OF NURSING CARE CFR(s): 482.23(b)(3) A registered nurse must supervise and evaluate the nursing care for each patient. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 43037 Based on record review and interview facility staff failed to follow the Physical Therapy (PT) Plan of Care regarding patient transfers and patient baseline ability in 1 of 1 (Patient #1) Physical Therapy Plan of Care in a total sample of 10 medical records reviewed. Findings include: A review of facility policy “Safe Patient Handling” dated 8/23/2023 revealed, “...I. Patient Handling Requirements A. Patient care staff will evaluate the patient and environment then select the safest equipment, techniques, and number of staff needed before completing patient handling tasks...II. SPH Program Compliance,...B. Patient care staff shall use appropriate patient handling equipment and aids as well as safe body mechanics to avoid manual lifting, transferring, and repositioning of a patient’s weight...” A review of facility online training titled “Safe Transfer Techniques” revealed, “...Outcomes: Upon completion of this course, you will be able to: *Recognize why safe transfer techniques are important *Recall how to identify weight limits associated with equipment *Recall appropriate techniques to assist patient from bed to chair, chair to toilet, or chair to chair *Identify appropriate techniques to perform a lateral transfer from bed to stretcher *Recall appropriate technique to reposition patient in bed or chair *Recall appropriate technique to transfer patient up from floor...” A review of Patient #1’s medical record revealed Patient #1 was admitted from their long term care residential facility to the Med/Surg unit on 3/31/2024 at 11:46 PM. Patient #1’s chief complaint was increased shortness of breath and weight gain of 10 lbs over the previous week’s time. Patient #1’s pertinent medical history includes chronic congestive heart failure, chronic lung disease, chronically impaired mobility and activities of daily living. Patient #1 was diagnosed with acute congestive heart failure and was hospitalized at this facility from 3/31/2024 to 4/3/2024. Physician admitting orders for activity were “Up ad lib.” A review of Patient #1’s medical record revealed a PT Plan of Care dated 4/1/2024 at 1:13 PM, “...Transfers: Sit to Stand EZ Stand w/2 (with 2). Stand to sit: EZ Stand. Bed to chair: EZ Stand w/2. Transfer device: Mechanical Sit to Stand... Assessment... At baseline, (Patient #1) uses EZ Stand for transfers...” A Plan of Care Addendum dated 4/2/2024 at 3:30 PM revealed, “...Twisted left knee when assisted back to bed with 2 assist pivot this evening. (Patient #1) reported he/she was able to pivot transfer, but then after getting into bed, stated he/she should only use the EZ stand. Reporting sharp left knee pain rated 8/10. PRN (as needed) Tylenol administered and ice applied. No pain relief with ice and Tylenol. Rating pain 9/10. MD (physician) notified of situation and pain. X-ray ordered and obtained. PRN Tramadol (pain medication) ordered and administered. (Patient #1) reports pain is 0/10 upon re-assessment “as long as I’m not moving.” (Complainant A/Child of Patient #1) called and updated on situation. Admin (administrative) supervisor notified of situation...” A review of Patient #1’s medical record revealed no documentation that Patient #1 had been transferred at any other time while hospitalized without using the EZ Stand. An Opportunity for Improvement Report #124982 revealed, “...4/2/2024 (Date of Service) (Patient #1) requested to be assisted back to bed. Stated he/she would be able to pivot into bed. RN requested assistance and PT was able to assist. 2 assist and gait belt utilized to assist (Patient #1) back to bed. While transferring, (Patient #1’s) foot got stuck and his/her knee twisted...(Patient #1) then states, “I should only use the EZ Stand. I don’t know why everyone keeps hurting me.” MD notified...(Complainant A) called with concerns of transfer method as ’(Patient #1) is only an EZ Stand transfer and this same thing happened at the nursing home 1.5 years ago and he/she hasn’t been able to walk since.’...Concerned how to prevent this from happening again and ensuring it is communicated that (Patient #1) should only utilize an EZ Stand. Response: 4/3/2024 (Manager D) Comment: Spoke with (RN Q) at 10:38 AM about this event. (RN Q) stated that (Patient #1) was sitting in the wheelchair and had wheeled him/herself close to the bed and then had requested help to get back into bed. (RN Q) said he/she was going to find someone to assist and then get the EZ Stand. (Patient #1) said if there were two people he/she would be able to “just do it that way.” (RN Q) applied the gait belt. PT was in front of (Patient #1) and instructed (Patient #1) to hold onto their shoulders as they assisted (Patient #1) to stand. (RN Q) was standing at the rear of (Patient #1) holding the gait belt. (RN Q) stated that (Patient #1’s) foot didn’t move and his/her leg was twisted. They were able to assist (Patient #1) back in bed... 4/9/2024 (PT Manager G)...Investigation/Review Completed; Plan to Educate Staff; Process Improvement Implemented...(Manager D) and I discussed how this situation could have been prevented and how similar situations should be approached in the future. I will work with PT staff so they know how to fully understand patient limitations and their baseline transfer methods prior to attempting the transfer. The patient should also be included in the discussion about their preferred transfer method and whether or not they have any safety concerns....” Staff involved in this event were not available for interview during this survey. An interview was conducted with Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) H on 4/30/2024 at 11:10 AM. When asked what should be done if a patient wanted to transfer from a chair back to bed but stated they could not pivot, CNA H stated that there should first be communication with the Registered Nurse to confirm a patient’s activity order and transferring ability and if necessary have Physical Therapy called to advise of safe transferring instructions. “I would not force them. You just don’t know what could happen.” An interview was conducted with Physical Therapist (PT) I on 4/30/2024 at 11:16 AM. When asked what devices should be used for a patient that is unable to pivot from a chair to a bed, PT I stated it would depend on whether or not the patient was weight bearing. “If they were weight bearing we could use the EZ Stand or Sara Steady, but if not we could use the mechanical lift (EZ Lift).” An interview was conducted with Registered Nurse (RN) J on 4/30/2024 at 11:21 AM. When asked how to transfer a patient from bed to chair if the patient says they cannot pivot, RN J stated, “I would refer to their most recent PT evaluation or ask PT to see the patient. They might do well with the EZ Stand.” An interview was conducted with Registered Nurse K on 4/30/2024 at 11:32 AM. When asked how to transfer a patient from bed to chair if the patient says they cannot pivot, RN K stated, “I would use the EZ Stand if they are weight bearing.””

    Rule A0395. Standard-level. From a complaint.

All 3 inspections in the last three years
Inspections on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Aug 27, 2025Complaint inspectionNo deficiencies cited
Jun 26, 2024Complaint inspectionNo deficiencies cited
Apr 30, 2024Complaint inspection1 deficiency cited

How do patients fare?

  • CMS’s overall for it is 4 of 5.
  • Of the measures behind its , CMS counts against the national value: mortality, 0 better and 0 worse of 4; safety of care, 0 better and 0 worse of 2; readmission, 1 better and 0 worse of 7.
  • Patients rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s patient survey (343 surveys completed, Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): 75% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 71% would definitely recommend it.
  • Infections, compared by CMS with the national benchmark (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): C. diff infections, better than the national benchmark.
  • CMS’s patient safety composite for serious complications, PSI 90, Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2024: no different than the national value.
  • Deaths within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2025): heart failure 11.1%, pneumonia 12.6%, COPD 8.1%, stroke 9.4%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
  • Readmissions within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2023 to Jun 30, 2025): heart failure 21.3%, pneumonia 17.3%, COPD 18.9%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
  • After outpatient care, compared by CMS: unplanned hospital visits after a colonoscopy, no different than the national rate; hospital admissions after outpatient chemotherapy, no different than the national rate; emergency visits after outpatient chemotherapy, no different than the national rate; unplanned hospital visits after outpatient surgery, no different than expected.
  • Emergency department patients spent a median of 114 minutes there before leaving (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025), and 0% left before being seen.
  • 57% of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock got the care CMS measures, SEP-1 (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025).
  • Medicare’s spending per patient here is 0.84 times the national median (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024).
Source:

CMS, Hospital General Information, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital, Healthcare Associated Infections - Hospital, Timely and Effective Care - Hospital and Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, Complications and Deaths - Hospital and Unplanned Hospital Visits - Hospital. Released Sep 30, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Ratings and measures, as published
MeasureRating
Overall ratingCMS’s overall hospital quality star rating, 1 to 54 of 5
Patient survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of the hospital’s patients (HCAHPS), 1 to 54 of 5

Is it certified, and in good standing?

  • Medicare-certified acute care hospital since Jul 1, 1966.
  • Ownership: voluntary non-profit - private.
  • It is accredited by The Joint Commission, whose surveys stand in for the state’s routine inspections.
  • No deficiency on record in the last three years.
  • Voluntary non-profit - Private.
Source:

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

Has it been penalized?

  • CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals.
  • CMS cut its Medicare payments by 1% for fiscal year 2026 under the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, which does so for the quarter of hospitals that fare worst on conditions patients get in hospital.
  • 1 deficiency cited in the last three years came from an inspection that included a complaint investigation.
Source:

CMS, Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated yearly.

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

On record, newest first
DateWhatDetail
Medicare payment reduction (HAC Reduction Program)Fiscal year 2026: 1% of Medicare payments

What do patients say about their care?

  • CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
  • In CMS’s patient survey, patients rate how well its nurses communicated 4 of 5.
  • 71% of its health care workers got a flu shot (Oct 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2025).
Source:

CMS, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital and Timely and Effective Care - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Who owns it?

  • SSM Health Care Corporation owns 100% directly since Jan 1, 2000.
  • 14 owners or officers are people: Sue Anderson (corporate director, 0%); Wayne E Matzke (corporate director, 0%); Rhea Emmer (corporate director, 0%); Theodore D Miller (corporate director, 0%); Jennifer Maskel (corporate director, 0%); Joan A Karsten (corporate director, 0%); Wesley Sparkman (corporate director, 0%); James Walter Scott Fuller (corporate director, 0%); Joseph Minerath (corporate officer); Joseph Minerath (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Kyle Nondorf (managing employee (on the payroll), 0%); Katie Kennedy (corporate director, 0%); Mark Allan Covaleski (corporate director, 0%); Laura Kaiser (corporate officer, 0%).
  • CMS’s Provider of Services file records 1 change of ownership, the latest on Jan 1, 2000.
  • No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
  • No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
Source:

CMS, Hospital All Owners and Hospital Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated monthly.

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Organisations CMS lists
OrganisationRoleShareSince
SSM Health Care CorporationOwns 5% or more directly100%Jan 1, 2000

How does it compare nearby?

  • Of the 3 hospitals CMS lists in Sauk County, 3 have an overall star rating from CMS: 2 rated 5 of 5, 1 rated 4 of 5.
  • CMS rates this one 4 of 5.
Source:

CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

2 compared
PlaceOverall star rating
Sauk Prairie Hospital5
Reedsburg Area Medical Center5

What the record doesn’t say

  • CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals, so none are shown. The one payment cut CMS publishes for each hospital, under its Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, is shown where it applies.
  • Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
  • Most hospitals are accredited by a private organisation (The Joint Commission, DNV and others) whose routine inspections stand in for the state’s; those reports aren’t public, and QCOR holds only the state’s surveys: no inspection on record here doesn’t mean none took place.
  • QCOR says its hospital inspection data are complete only through September 17, 2026, while it moves to a new system.
  • CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
  • In its September 2026 release CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for death and readmission rates, though it gives the rates.

Sources

If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.

Source:

This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.

From the hospital

The public record above comes first. Anything the hospital adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.

Replies

None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospital will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.

Paid listing

None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospital”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

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Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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