
Report
TheVardellReport
Tsali Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
267 Tsali Care Way
Cherokee, NC 28719

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
267 Tsali Care Way
Cherokee, NC 28719
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 9 inspections from July 2023 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 79 findings at Tsali Care Center; 79 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 | 2 | 21 | 1 |
| 2024 | 4 | 24 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 33 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 1 | 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.
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
26 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
18 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $15,028 imposed April 10, 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 22, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $11,047 imposed July 31, 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 22, 2024, 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)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
17 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,542 imposed July 31, 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 July 13, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $118,938 imposed July 31, 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 July 13, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed July 31, 2024. Status: Closed, November 18, 2024. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of July 13, 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 F880 in July 2023, April 2024, August 2024, April 2025 and August 2025. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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 F550 in July 2023, August 2024 and August 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 F578 in July 2023, August 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers residents’ right to accept or refuse treatment and to make an advance directive. 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 F645 in July 2023, August 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers the required screening for mental illness or intellectual disability before admission (PASARR). 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 July 2024, April 2025 and August 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 F761 in October 2023, August 2024 and August 2025. 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 F558 in July 2023 and August 2025. This citation covers whether the home reasonably accommodates each resident’s needs and preferences. 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 F565 in July 2023 and August 2024. The agency describes it this way: Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility. 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 F582 in July 2023 and August 2024. The agency describes it this way: Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. 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 F656 in July 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 F657 in August 2024 and April 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 F658 in October 2023 and August 2025. This citation covers whether the home’s services meet professional standards of quality. 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 July 2023 and April 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 F698 in October 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers care for residents who need dialysis. 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 October 2023 and July 2024. 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 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 F867 in October 2023 and August 2025. The agency describes it this way: Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action. 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.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 are a resident’s advance directive and treatment wishes recorded and shared with every shift?
Treatment Choices and Advance Directives: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
Was the required pre-admission screening done for every resident, and how is it tracked?
Pre-Admission Screening: cited in three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level G.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you adjust rooms, schedules and routines to a resident’s needs and preferences?
Needs and Preferences: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F565 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F565: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F582 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F582: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
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 often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?
Care Plan Timing and Review: 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 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.
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis Care: cited in two 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 two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F867 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F867: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
An $11,047 civil money penalty was imposed July 31, 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 North Carolina state survey agency.
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Jul 13, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Oct 13, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Apr 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Jul 31, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Aug 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Oct 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Apr 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Aug 1, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
North Carolina state survey agency
Inspection Aug 6, 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 · 345475
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJuly 13, 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.