One nursing home worker threw a glass of water in a resident's face. Another nursing home worker was seen spitting at one resident and pinching another. And at a St. Louis Park facility, a female resident was kissed and molested, according to government records.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) evaluates nursing homes and conducts health and fire-safety inspections. When evaluating a home's performance, it considers nurse staffing levels and quality-of-life issues, among other factors.

For this week's list, I've included the 10 Twin Cities homes cited for the most violations in the six-month period ending in May 2011, which was the most recent information available.

I've also listed all complaints substantiated by the Minnesota Office of Health Facility Complaints during recent inspection periods.

1 Crystal Care Center, Crystal, 26 violations.

2 Highland Chateau Health Care Center, St. Paul, 19 violations.

3 Robbinsdale Rehab and Care Center, Robbinsdale, 16 violations.

Six substantiated complaints: A worker threw a glass of water in a resident's face and swore at her. A resident sustained burns from smoking while on supplemental oxygen. The health care of a resident with behavior issues was neglected. Medications weren't given at appropriate times, care plans weren't followed and workers were slow to respond to call lights. Social work services were inadequate and care conferences were not timely. Drug disposal was done improperly.

4 Cerenity Senior Care Center on Humboldt, St. Paul, 16 violations.

Two substantiated complaints: In six separate incidents a worker was seen pushing a resident, spitting at another, pinching a third, yelling at a fourth, slapping one with a washcloth and force-feeding another. Also, a resident sustained a fractured femur when a worker attempted to transfer the resident without obtaining help from a co-worker.

5 Park Health and Rehabilitation Center, St. Louis Park, 16 violations.

6 Southside Care Center, Minneapolis, 15 violations.

7 Westwood Health Care Center, St. Louis Park, 15 violations.

Two substantiated complaints: A male worker kissed and molested a female resident. A resident was found lying under her wheelchair on a concrete landing in a stairwell.

8 Cerenity Senior Care Center on Dellwood Place, St. Paul, 14 violations.

One substantiated complaint. Cats were allowed to freely roam the facility and failed to use litter boxes. Clean-up procedures were inadequate.

9 Augustana Health Care Center of Apple Valley, 13 violations.

One substantiated complaint: A worker slapped a resident's hand and told a witness: "I shouldn't have let you see me do that."

10 Richfield Health Center, Richfield, 13 violations.

One substantiated complaint: A resident with a history of wandering left the facility and was later found near Interstate 494 and Nicollet Avenue.

Special Focus Facilities

The CMS maintains a list of facilities that have a "history of persistent poor quality of care." Each is subject to more frequent inspections and must improve in order to be taken off the list.

Four Minnesota facilities were on the list as of last week:

Eveleth Health Services Park, Eveleth, 8 violations. Months on list: 1

One substantiated complaint.

Jourdain Perpich Extended Care Center, Red Lake, 10 violations. Months on list: 2

Valley View Manor, Lamberton, 13 violations. Months on list: 8

Two substantiated complaints.

Willmar Commons Nursing & Rehabilitation, Willmar, 25 violations. Months on list: 8

Six substantiated complaints.

To look up other nursing homes, go to www.startribune.com/a158.

Hard Data digs into public records and puts a spotlight on rule breakers in Minnesota. Contact me at jfriedmann@startribune.com.