
Report
TheVardellReport
San Diego Post-Acute Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1201 South Orange Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1201 South Orange Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
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 25 inspections from June 2022 to June 2026, state surveyors documented 89 findings at San Diego Post-Acute Center; 87 have a recorded correction and 2 await one; CMS lists 5 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 15 | 0 |
| 2023 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
| 2025 | 8 | 26 | 0 |
| 2026 | 7 | 35 | 5 |
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.
4 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)
18 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $166,694 imposed May 20, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of May 20, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed May 20, 2026. Status: Closed, July 21, 2026. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of May 20, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
6 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)
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)
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)
16 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $35,282 imposed January 23, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of February 27, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed January 23, 2026. Status: Closed, February 22, 2026. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of February 27, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
15 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $11,213 imposed July 17, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of June 16, 2022, the nearest before the penalty date.
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 F656 in October 2023, February 2024, February 2025, December 2025 and May 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 F689 in June 2022, February 2024, July 2024, February 2025 and May 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 F880 in June 2022, February 2025, June 2025, May 2026 and June 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 F610 in December 2023, March 2025, January 2026 and June 2026. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 October 2023, March 2026, May 2026 and June 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 F761 in May 2024, February 2025, September 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. 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 October 2023, December 2025 and May 2026. 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 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 F726 in September 2024, May 2026 and June 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being. The most serious of these was recorded at level J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F760 in February 2025, March 2026 and May 2026. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. The most serious of these was recorded at level K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F812 in June 2022, February 2025 and May 2025. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level F (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 January 2025, January 2026 and May 2026. 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.
Inspectors cited F600 in January 2026 and June 2026. 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 F609 in December 2023 and June 2026. This citation covers whether suspected abuse, neglect or theft is reported to the authorities on time, with the results of the home’s investigation. 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 February 2025 and April 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 F695 in June 2022 and February 2025. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. 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 F865 in February 2025 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. 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.
F677 was cited in June 2022, February 2025 and July 2025. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. The most serious was level D (no actual harm, potential for more). The July 2025 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.
F686 was cited in July 2025. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). The most serious was level D (no actual harm, potential for more). The July 2025 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: 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.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level E.
When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?
Investigating Alleged Violations: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level D.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in four 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 three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F726 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F726: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level J.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level K.
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 F.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: 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.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F865 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F865: 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 three inspections, most seriously at level D. The July 14, 2025 citation has no recorded correction date.
How often are residents checked for pressure injuries and repositioned, and who is responsible for it?
Pressure Injury Care: cited in one inspections, most seriously at level D. The July 14, 2025 citation has no recorded correction date.
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 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $166,694 civil money penalty was imposed May 20, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds five enforcement actions in the window.
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 Jun 16, 2022 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Oct 5, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Oct 30, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 28, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 9, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 20, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 1, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 28, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Sep 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 24, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 27, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 15, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 3, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 14, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Sep 18, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 2, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 23, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 4, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 10, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 16, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 20, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 4, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 16, 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 · 555659
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJune 16, 2022 – October 1, 2026
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.