
Report
TheVardellReport
Santa Fe Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
635 Harkle Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
635 Harkle Road
Santa Fe, NM 87505
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 March 2022 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 61 findings at Santa Fe Care Center; 61 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 2 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 25 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 | 20 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 2026 | 2 | 6 | 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.
4 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)
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)
6 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
13 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $12,255 imposed October 25, 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 11, 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)
7 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
18 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $13,307 imposed November 21, 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 May 26, 2023, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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 F657 in May 2023, November 2023, July 2024 and October 2024. 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 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 F658 in March 2022, May 2023, November 2023 and July 2024. 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 F842 in May 2023, November 2023, October 2024 and July 2026. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. 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 October 2024, April 2026 and July 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 F578 in March 2022 and May 2023. 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.
Inspectors cited F580 in November 2023 and October 2024. This citation covers whether the resident, their doctor and a family member are told promptly about an injury, a decline or another significant change. 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 F585 in March 2022 and May 2023. This citation covers residents’ right to voice grievances without reprisal, and the home’s process for resolving them. 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 F641 in May 2023 and July 2024. This citation covers whether each resident’s assessment correctly records their condition. 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 July 2024 and April 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 F684 in November 2023 and October 2024. 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 F692 in March 2022 and July 2024. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. 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 F725 in May 2023 and November 2023. 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 G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F761 in May 2023 and July 2026. 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.
Inspectors cited F812 in March 2022 and May 2023. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. 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 F880 in May 2023 and July 2024. 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
How often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?
Care Plan Timing and Review: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level E.
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level E.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in four 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 D.
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.
How quickly will we hear about a fall, an injury or a change in condition, and from whom?
Telling Families About Changes: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
How do we file a grievance, who answers it, and how quickly?
Grievances: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who completes resident assessments, and how are they checked for accuracy?
Accurate Assessments: 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 D.
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 G.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: 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?
Nursing Staff Levels: 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.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
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.
What led to the 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $12,255 civil money penalty was imposed October 25, 2024. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds two 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 New Mexico state survey agency.
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Mar 24, 2022 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection May 26, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Nov 21, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Jul 2, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Jul 11, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Oct 25, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Apr 8, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Nov 25, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Apr 9, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Mexico state survey agency
Inspection Jul 2, 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 · 325030
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowMarch 24, 2022 – 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.