
Report
TheVardellReport
Cooney Healthcare and Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2555 E Broadway
Helena, MT 59601

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
2555 E Broadway
Helena, MT 59601
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 2023 to December 2025, state surveyors documented 76 findings at Cooney Healthcare and Rehabilitation; 76 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 5 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 21 | 3 |
| 2024 | 5 | 21 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 | 34 | 5 |
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 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)
7 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
20 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
12 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $44,363 imposed August 15, 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 August 15, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $14,505 imposed August 6, 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 August 15, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $101,533 imposed August 6, 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 August 15, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed August 6, 2025. Status: Closed, December 15, 2025. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of August 15, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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, $52,735 imposed May 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 August 17, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
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 F609 in August 2023, October 2024, September 2025 and December 2025. 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 F725 in August 2023, August 2024, September 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers whether there are enough nurses and aides to meet residents’ needs, with a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. 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 F550 in August 2023, January 2024 and September 2025. This citation covers residents’ right to dignity, to make their own choices and to communicate. 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 August 2023, August 2024 and September 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 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 February 2024, August 2024 and September 2025. 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 F689 in August 2024, August 2025 and September 2025. 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 G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F692 in August 2023, August 2024 and September 2025. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. 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 F726 in October 2024, August 2025 and September 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being. 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 F759 in August 2023, August 2024 and September 2025. This citation covers whether medication errors stayed under 5 percent when inspectors watched medications being given. 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 F880 in August 2023, August 2024 and September 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 F585 in January 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers residents’ right to voice grievances without reprisal, and the home’s process for resolving them. 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 F600 in August 2023 and December 2025. 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 F610 in August 2025 and September 2025. 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 F655 in August 2023 and December 2025. This citation covers the baseline care plan for a new resident’s immediate needs, due within 48 hours of admission. 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 August 2023 and August 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 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 F658 in May 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers whether the home’s services meet professional standards of quality. 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 May 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers whether residents receive the treatment their orders, preferences and goals call for. 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 F690 in August 2023 and September 2025. 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 August 2023 and May 2024. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. 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 F761 in August 2023 and September 2025. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
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.
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 F.
How do staff learn each resident’s preferences, and how is a complaint about dignity handled?
Dignity and Resident Rights: cited in three 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 three 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 three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level G.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level G.
What changed after F726 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F726: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are medication passes checked, and what happens when an error is found?
Medication Error Rate: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
How do we file a grievance, who answers it, and how quickly?
Grievances: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
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 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 E.
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 D.
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in two 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 two inspections, most seriously at level J.
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 G.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $14,505 civil money penalty was imposed August 6, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds five 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 Montana state survey agency.
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Aug 17, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Jan 16, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Feb 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection May 2, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Aug 15, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Oct 3, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Aug 6, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Sep 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Dec 4, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Montana state survey agency
Inspection Dec 31, 2025 · 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 · 275080
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowAugust 17, 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.