The Highlands

• Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

  Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Jan 12, 2026

• Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

  Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Provide emergency officials' contact information.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Jan 6, 2026

• Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Dec 19, 2025

• Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

  Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 20, 2024

• Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.

  Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Sep 24, 2024

• Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.

  Severity F of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespreadCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

  Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Implement emergency and standby power systems.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Aug 20, 2024

• Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.

  Severity B of L: potential for minimal harm, patternCorrected Aug 16, 2024

• Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

  Severity E of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, patternCorrected May 17, 2023

• Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2023

• Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 3, 2023

• Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 3, 2023

• Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 3, 2023

• Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 3, 2023

• Implement emergency and standby power systems.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected Apr 24, 2023

• Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility.

  Severity D of L: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolatedCorrected May 16, 2023

The Highlands offers Skilled Nursing / Long Term Care.

The Highlands is located at 335 Nichols Road in Fitchburg, Massachusetts.

Reviewers consistently praise the attentiveness and warmth of nursing, therapy, and support staff at The Highlands, particularly around rehabilitation and memory care. Families of both short-term rehab patients and long-term memory care residents describe personalized attention and peace of mind. No published pricing information is available for this skilled nursing facility.

The Highlands had 3 government inspection visits in the last three years, with 28 citations on file according to CMS Care Compare data. The full history, including what each citation was for and whether it was corrected, is in the inspection section on this page.

Submit the Request Information form on this page to connect with The Highlands and arrange a tour. Sharing your timeline and care needs up front helps the community prepare for your visit.