
Report
TheVardellReport
The Ellison John Transitional Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
43830 10Th Street West
Lancaster, CA 93534

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
43830 10Th Street West
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 28 inspections from November 2023 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 108 findings at The Ellison John Transitional Care Center; 108 have a recorded correction; 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 6 | 2 |
| 2024 | 7 | 32 | 1 |
| 2025 | 11 | 44 | 1 |
| 2026 | 7 | 26 | 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.
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
13 findings
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)
5 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)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
5 findings
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)
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)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
24 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $10,358 imposed November 12, 2025. 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 28, 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)
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)
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)
19 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $125,220 imposed November 20, 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 February 23, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed November 20, 2024. Status: Closed, January 10, 2025. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of February 23, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
4 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $64,016 imposed December 17, 2023. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the complaint investigation of December 17, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed December 17, 2023. Status: Closed, January 21, 2024. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the complaint investigation of December 17, 2023, 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)
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 F684 in February 2024, February 2025, February 2025, April 2025, December 2025, March 2026, March 2026, June 2026 and July 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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 F880 in November 2023, January 2024, February 2024, December 2024, January 2025, February 2025, April 2025 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 F755 in January 2024, February 2024, February 2025, December 2025, December 2025, March 2026 and June 2026. This citation covers pharmacy services and the licensed pharmacist who oversees them. 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 December 2023, November 2024, September 2025, November 2025, March 2026 and June 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. 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 F656 in February 2024, November 2024, December 2024, February 2025, December 2025 and March 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 F760 in December 2023, February 2024, February 2025, December 2025, March 2026 and June 2026. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. 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 F842 in January 2024, February 2024, December 2024, December 2025, March 2026 and June 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 F689 in February 2024, February 2025, July 2025, November 2025 and June 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 F558 in February 2024, March 2026 and June 2026. This citation covers whether the home reasonably accommodates each resident’s needs and preferences. 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 F641 in February 2024, February 2025 and June 2026. This citation covers whether each resident’s assessment correctly records their condition. 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 F657 in February 2024, February 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 F695 in February 2024, February 2025 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 F757 in February 2024, February 2025 and June 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary 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 F552 in February 2024 and February 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. 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 February 2025 and April 2025. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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 December 2023 and July 2024. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. 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 F640 in February 2024 and February 2025. The agency describes it this way: Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment. None rose above level B (potential for minimal harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F658 in February 2024 and February 2025. 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 F690 in February 2025 and June 2026. This citation covers continence care, catheter care and preventing urinary tract infections. 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 F693 in November 2024 and June 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 F758 in February 2024 and February 2025. This citation covers how psychotropic drugs are used, including dose reductions and limits on as-needed orders. 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 September 2025 and June 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 F770 in May 2025 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide timely, quality laboratory services/tests to meet the needs of residents. 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.
How do nurses make sure a doctor’s orders are carried out, and how are families told when something is missed?
Quality of Care: cited in nine inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in eight inspections, most seriously at level E.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in seven 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 six inspections, most seriously at level J.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in six inspections, most seriously at level E.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in six inspections, most seriously at level J.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in six inspections, most seriously at level D.
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.
How do you adjust rooms, schedules and routines to a resident’s needs and preferences?
Needs and Preferences: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
Who completes resident assessments, and how are they checked for accuracy?
Accurate Assessments: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
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.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F757 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F757: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F552 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F552: 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 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 J.
What changed after F640 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F640: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level B.
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 is continence care scheduled, and how do you prevent urinary infections?
Continence and Catheter Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F693 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F693: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How many residents take psychotropic medications, and how often are doses reviewed for reduction?
Psychotropic Medications: 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 E.
What changed after F770 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F770: 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 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $10,358 civil money penalty was imposed November 12, 2025. 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 Nov 16, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 17, 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 Jan 21, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 23, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 20, 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 Dec 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 23, 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 Feb 21, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 28, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 5, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Sep 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 12, 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 26, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 30, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 5, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 20, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 25, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 28, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 10, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 18, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 8, 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 · 555904
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowNovember 16, 2023 – 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.