
Report
TheVardellReport
Heritage Wellness & Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
17451 Medical Center Parkway
Independence, MO 64057

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
17451 Medical Center Parkway
Independence, MO 64057
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 10 inspections from August 2021 to May 2026, state surveyors documented 80 findings at Heritage Wellness & Rehabilitation; 80 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 14 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 21 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| 2025 | 3 | 45 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 | 4 | 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)
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)
41 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $134,345 imposed February 19, 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 19, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed February 19, 2025. Status: Closed, June 15, 2025. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of February 19, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
21 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed October 17, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed October 23, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed October 30, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed November 6, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed November 13, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed November 20, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $13,762 imposed December 11, 2023. 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,587 imposed January 2, 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,938 imposed January 8, 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $14,814 imposed January 22, 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,938 imposed February 12, 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $4,938 imposed February 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 June 5, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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 F880 in August 2021, June 2023, February 2024 and February 2025. 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 F569 in June 2023, November 2024 and January 2026. The agency describes it this way: Notify each resident of certain balances and convey resident funds upon discharge, eviction, or death. 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 June 2023, February 2025 and May 2026. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 F689 in June 2023, February 2025 and May 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 F756 in August 2021, June 2023 and February 2025. 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 F567 in June 2023 and February 2025. The agency describes it this way: Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs. 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 F568 in June 2023 and February 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 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 F602 in November 2024 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money. 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 February 2025 and May 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 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 June 2023 and February 2025. 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 F656 in June 2023 and February 2025. 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 F677 in June 2023 and February 2025. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. 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 F684 in February 2025 and May 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 F686 in June 2023 and February 2025. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). 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 August 2021 and June 2023. 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 F695 in June 2023 and February 2025. 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 F732 in August 2021 and February 2025. The agency describes it this way: Post nurse staffing information every day. 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 June 2023 and February 2025. 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.
Inspectors cited F804 in June 2023 and February 2025. This citation covers whether food and drink are palatable, attractive and served at a safe temperature. 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 F881 in February 2024 and February 2025. This citation covers the home’s program for monitoring antibiotic use. 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 F908 in August 2021 and February 2025. The agency describes it this way: Keep all essential equipment working safely. 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.
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 changed after F569 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F569: 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 J.
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 three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F756 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F756: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F567 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F567: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F568 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F568: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F602 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F602: 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 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 is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How long do residents usually wait for help with bathing, dressing or the bathroom, and how is that tracked?
Help With Daily Living: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 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 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 D.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 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 D.
May we try a meal, and how do you check food temperature by the time it reaches residents?
Food Quality and Temperature: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you track antibiotic use and decide when one is needed?
Antibiotic Use: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F908 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Keep all essential equipment working safely: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 February 2025.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $134,345 civil money penalty was imposed February 19, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds 14 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 Missouri state survey agency.
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Aug 9, 2021 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Jun 5, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Feb 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Apr 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Nov 21, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Feb 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection May 14, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Dec 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection Jan 23, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Missouri state survey agency
Inspection May 14, 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 · 265456
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowAugust 9, 2021 – 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.