The Vardell Report.South Mountain Rehab Center

Across 4 inspections from November 2019 to April 2026, state surveyors documented 39 findings at South Mountain Rehab Center; 38 have a recorded correction and 1 awaits one; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.

Inspections

4

2019–2026, complaint and standard

Findings

39

Deficiencies cited by state inspectors

Corrected

38

Of 39 findings, with a recorded correction date

Penalties

1

1 fine; payment not published

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. Apr 222026

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level JImmediate jeopardyPast Non-Compliance

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

2. Mar 62026

   Standard health inspection

   4 findings

   • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 30, 2026
   • F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 30, 2026
   • F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 30, 2026
   • F628Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 30, 2026

   Enforcement Action

   Civil money penalty, $22,205 imposed April 22, 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 March 6, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

3. Dec 202024

   Standard health inspection

   30 findings

   The same visit included a complaint investigation.

   • F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F756Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F836Ensure the facility is licensed under applicable State and local law and operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F578Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F622Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F638Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F640Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F645PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual DisabilitiesLevel DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admittedLevel DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F679Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F692Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F697Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F699Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F729Verify that a nurse aide has been trained; and if they haven't worked as a nurse aide for 2 years, receive retraining.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F757Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F758Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F810Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F835Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025
   • F947Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 31, 2025

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

4. Nov 12019

   Standard health inspection

   4 findings

   • F578Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 17, 2019
   • F584Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 17, 2019
   • F730Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 17, 2019
   • F761Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Dec 17, 2019

   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.

A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.

1. 1

   A Clean, Homelike Setting, Cited in Three Inspections

   Inspectors cited F584 in November 2019, December 2024 and March 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.

   19242626F584 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
2. 2

   Treatment Choices and Advance Directives, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F578 in November 2019 and December 2024. This citation covers residents’ right to accept or refuse treatment and to make an advance directive. 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.

   19242626F578 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
3. 3

   Medication Labeling and Storage, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F761 in November 2019 and December 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.

   19242626F761 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
4. 4

   Infection Control, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F880 in December 2024 and March 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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.

   19242626F880 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
5. 5

   Quality of Care, No Recorded Correction

   F684 was cited in December 2024 and April 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. The most serious was level J (immediate jeopardy). The April 2026 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Past Non-Compliance.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.

   19242626F684 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

1. 01

   What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?

   A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.

2. 02

   How are a resident’s advance directive and treatment wishes recorded and shared with every shift?

   Treatment Choices and Advance Directives: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

3. 03

   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.

4. 04

   Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?

   Infection Control: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.

5. 05

   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 two inspections, most seriously at level J. The April 22, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.

6. 06

   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.

7. 07

   What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?

   A $22,205 civil money penalty was imposed April 22, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.

Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Maryland state survey agency.

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Nov 1, 2019 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Dec 20, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Mar 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Apr 22, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Penalties, Provider Data Catalog

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗
• Provider Information, Provider Data Catalog

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 215144

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗

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.