
Report
TheVardellReport
The Hills Post Acute
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1800 Old Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1800 Old Tustin Avenue
Santa Ana, CA 92705
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 13 inspections from October 2023 to June 2026, state surveyors documented 115 findings at The Hills Post Acute; 115 have a recorded correction; CMS lists no enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 | 60 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 16 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 28 | 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.
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
25 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)
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)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
37 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
19 findings
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)
4 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 F755 in October 2023, January 2024, February 2024, May 2024, October 2024, March 2025, 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 F842 in November 2023, December 2023, February 2024, June 2024, March 2025 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 F880 in December 2023, February 2024, March 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 F584 in January 2024, February 2024, March 2025 and May 2026. 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 F657 in January 2024, February 2024, March 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 F692 in February 2024, March 2025, May 2026 and June 2026. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. 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 December 2023, February 2024, March 2025 and May 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 F558 in November 2023, January 2024 and May 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 F656 in February 2024, March 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 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 F684 in January 2024, February 2024 and July 2024. 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 F694 in February 2024, March 2025 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed. 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 February 2024, March 2025 and May 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 F698 in February 2024, March 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers care for residents who need dialysis. 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 December 2023, February 2024 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary 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 F761 in February 2024, March 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 F806 in February 2024, March 2025 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options. 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 F623 in October 2023 and January 2024. This citation covers notice to the resident, their representative and the ombudsman before a transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. 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 F625 in October 2023 and February 2024. The agency describes it this way: Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave. 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 F686 in January 2024 and February 2024. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). 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 January 2024 and February 2024. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. 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 February 2024 and May 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 F697 in January 2024 and February 2024. The agency describes it this way: Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services. 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 F756 in February 2024 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures. 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 January 2024 and February 2024. This citation covers how psychotropic drugs are used, including dose reductions and limits on as-needed orders. 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 February 2024 and May 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 F849 in February 2024 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services. 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 often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in eight inspections, most seriously at level D.
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.
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.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in four 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 four inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in four 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 four 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 three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
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 three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F694 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F694: cited in three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis 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 D.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F806 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F806: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
When do you transfer or discharge a resident, and how much notice do families get?
Notice Before Transfer or Discharge: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F625 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F625: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How often are residents checked for pressure injuries and repositioned, and who is responsible for it?
Pressure Injury Care: cited in two 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 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 changed after F697 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F697: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F756 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F756: 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 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 F849 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F849: 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?
Insufficient nursing staff was cited in January 2024.
Has the home been fined or had payments denied before this record begins?
CMS lists no fines or payment denials in this window. The record starts October 18, 2023; anything earlier is not in it.
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 18, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 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 Jan 23, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 3, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 25, 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 Oct 29, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Feb 14, 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 May 6, 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 · 555765
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowOctober 18, 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.