
Report
TheVardellReport
Desert Canyon Post Acute, LLC
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1642 West Avenue J
Lancaster, CA 93534

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1642 West Avenue J
Lancaster, CA 93534
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 26 inspections from October 2023 to June 2026, state surveyors documented 108 findings at Desert Canyon Post Acute, LLC; 108 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 27 | 0 |
| 2024 | 11 | 31 | 2 |
| 2025 | 10 | 21 | 0 |
| 2026 | 3 | 29 | 0 |
Chronology
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
26 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
15 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
27 findings
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed June 20, 2024. Status: Closed, October 4, 2024. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of November 16, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
No findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F880 in November 2023, January 2024, February 2024, May 2024, November 2024, January 2025, November 2025, November 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F558 in November 2023, February 2024, November 2024, November 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether the home reasonably accommodates each resident’s needs and preferences. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F689 in November 2023, August 2024, November 2024, March 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F600 in June 2024, August 2024, September 2024 and February 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F656 in November 2023, May 2024, January 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F695 in November 2023, November 2024, February 2026 and June 2026. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F580 in April 2024, December 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether the resident, their doctor and a family member are told promptly about an injury, a decline or another significant change. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F755 in November 2023, November 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers pharmacy services and the licensed pharmacist who oversees them. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F812 in November 2023, November 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F921 in February 2024, July 2024 and April 2025. The agency describes it this way: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F557 in April 2025 and June 2026. The agency describes it this way: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F584 in December 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F604 in November 2025 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F657 in November 2023 and November 2025. This citation covers whether care plans are written on time and revised by a team that includes the resident’s caregivers. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F658 in November 2023 and November 2024. This citation covers whether the home’s services meet professional standards of quality. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F677 in November 2023 and February 2026. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F679 in January 2025 and January 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide activities to meet all resident's needs. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F690 in November 2023 and February 2026. This citation covers continence care, catheter care and preventing urinary tract infections. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F693 in November 2024 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F760 in November 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F761 in November 2023 and November 2024. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F803 in November 2023 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F805 in November 2023 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F842 in November 2023 and August 2024. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in nine inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you adjust rooms, schedules and routines to a resident’s needs and preferences?
Needs and Preferences: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?
Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level G.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level G.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level E.
How quickly will we hear about a fall, an injury or a change in condition, and from whom?
Telling Families About Changes: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F921 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F921: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F557 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F557: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F604 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F604: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?
Care Plan Timing and Review: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How long do residents usually wait for help with bathing, dressing or the bathroom, and how is that tracked?
Help With Daily Living: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F679 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How is continence care scheduled, and how do you prevent urinary infections?
Continence and Catheter Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F693 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F693: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F803 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F803: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F805 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F805: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
What led to the 2024 denial of payment, and what would you want a family to know about it?
Denial of payment was imposed June 20, 2024; it ended October 4, 2024.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the California state survey agency.
California state survey agency
Inspection Oct 16, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 16, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 7, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 10, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 20, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 3, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Aug 1, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Aug 23, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Sep 16, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 15, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 17, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 21, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 24, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 25, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 13, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 18, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 25, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 1, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 3, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 26, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 18, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 30, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 055307
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowOctober 16, 2023 – October 1, 2026
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
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