
Report
TheVardellReport
Medilodge of Sault Ste. Marie
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1011 Meridian Road
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1011 Meridian Road
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
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 May 2026, state surveyors documented 73 findings at Medilodge of Sault Ste. Marie; 73 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 4 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 23 | 4 |
| 2025 | 5 | 18 | 1 |
| 2026 | 3 | 31 | 3 |
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)
29 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
12 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
12 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $15,593 imposed January 29, 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 January 29, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed January 29, 2024. Status: Closed, March 27, 2024. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of January 29, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $20,183 imposed April 18, 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 January 29, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $29,627 imposed June 27, 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 January 29, 2024, 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 F600 in July 2024, January 2025, February 2025 and February 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 F684 in January 2024, June 2025, November 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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 F689 in January 2024, April 2024, July 2024 and February 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 J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F725 in July 2024, January 2025, February 2026 and May 2026. This citation covers whether there are enough nurses and aides to meet residents’ needs, with a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. The most serious of these was recorded at level H (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F880 in January 2024, April 2024, January 2025 and February 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.
Inspectors cited F584 in January 2025, June 2025 and February 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.
Inspectors cited F609 in July 2024, November 2025 and February 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 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 July 2024, February 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 F686 in October 2023 and February 2026. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). 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 F688 in January 2025 and February 2026. 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 F690 in January 2024 and April 2024. 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 F732 in January 2025 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Post nurse staffing information every day. 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 F755 in January 2024 and June 2024. 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 F759 in January 2024 and January 2025. This citation covers whether medication errors stayed under 5 percent when inspectors watched medications being given. 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 January 2025 and February 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level G.
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 four inspections, most seriously at level G.
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 four inspections, most seriously at level J.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
Nursing Staff Levels: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level H.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
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.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 G.
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.
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.
What changed after F732 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Post nurse staffing information every day: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are medication passes checked, and what happens when an error is found?
Medication Error Rate: 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 led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $29,627 civil money penalty was imposed June 27, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds four 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 Michigan state survey agency.
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Oct 10, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Jan 29, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Apr 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Jun 27, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Jul 30, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Jan 9, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Feb 26, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Jun 18, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Nov 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Nov 26, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Feb 4, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection Feb 11, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Michigan state survey agency
Inspection May 27, 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 · 235292
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowOctober 10, 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.