
Report
TheVardellReport
Autumn Lake Healthcare at Birch Manor
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
7309 Second Avenue
Sykesville, MD 21784

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
7309 Second Avenue
Sykesville, MD 21784
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 6 inspections from August 2018 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 87 findings at Autumn Lake Healthcare at Birch Manor; 85 have a recorded correction and 2 await one; 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 1 | 38 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | 1 | 22 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025 | 2 | 23 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 2 | 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)
22 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
22 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
38 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 F584 in August 2018, June 2021, November 2024 and June 2025. 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 F657 in August 2018, June 2021 and June 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 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 F684 in August 2018, June 2021 and June 2025. 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 F842 in August 2018, June 2021 and June 2025. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. 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 F568 in August 2018 and June 2025. The agency describes it this way: Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home. 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 F580 in August 2018 and June 2021. 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 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 August 2018 and June 2025. 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 F622 in August 2018 and June 2021. The agency describes it this way: Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged. 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 August 2018 and June 2021. 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 F624 in August 2018 and June 2021. The agency describes it this way: Prepare residents for a safe transfer or discharge from the nursing home. 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 August 2018 and June 2025. This citation covers whether each resident’s assessment correctly records their condition. 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 F655 in August 2018 and June 2021. This citation covers the baseline care plan for a new resident’s immediate needs, due within 48 hours of admission. 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 F679 in August 2018 and June 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide activities to meet all resident's 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 F688 in August 2018 and June 2021. This citation covers care that keeps or improves a resident’s movement and mobility. 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 August 2018 and June 2025. 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 F692 in August 2018 and June 2021. 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 F757 in August 2018 and June 2021. 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 August 2018 and June 2021. 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 August 2018 and June 2021. 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 F812 in August 2018 and June 2025. 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 F868 in August 2018 and June 2025. The agency describes it this way: Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly. 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.
F609 was cited in August 2018, November 2024, June 2025 and July 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. The most serious was level D (no actual harm, potential for more). The July 2026 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.
F656 was cited in August 2018, June 2021, June 2025 and July 2026. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. The most serious was level F (no actual harm, potential for more). The July 2026 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.
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 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 F.
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.
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 F.
What changed after F568 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F568: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How quickly will we hear about a fall, an injury or a change in condition, and from whom?
Telling Families About Changes: cited in two 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 two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F622 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F622: cited in two 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 F624 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F624: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
Who completes resident assessments, and how are they checked for accuracy?
Accurate Assessments: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What happens in the first 48 hours after admission, and who writes the first care plan?
The First 48 Hours: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
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 E.
What do you do to keep residents moving, and who provides range-of-motion care?
Mobility and Range of Motion: 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.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F757 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F757: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
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 F806 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F806: cited in two 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 two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F868 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F868: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level D. The July 16, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.
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 F. The July 16, 2026 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.
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 August 3, 2018; 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 Maryland state survey agency.
Maryland state survey agency
Inspection Aug 3, 2018 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Maryland state survey agency
Inspection Jun 9, 2021 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Maryland state survey agency
Inspection Nov 4, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Maryland state survey agency
Inspection Jun 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Maryland state survey agency
Inspection Nov 20, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Maryland state survey agency
Inspection Jul 16, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 215136
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowAugust 3, 2018 – 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.