
Report
TheVardellReport
Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Cente
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
135 Meridan St.
Rochester, NY 14612

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
135 Meridan St.
Rochester, NY 14612
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 6 inspections from January 2024 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 90 findings at Waterview Heights Rehabilitation and Nursing Cente; 86 have a recorded correction and 4 await one; 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 34 | 8 |
| 2025 | 2 | 52 | 16 |
| 2026 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
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)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
24 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $299,319 imposed December 22, 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 December 22, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed December 22, 2025. Status: Closed, May 27, 2026. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 22, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
28 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $185,840 imposed May 9, 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 May 9, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
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.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $314,554 imposed September 17, 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 September 17, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
14 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 F584 in January 2024, September 2024, May 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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 F761 in January 2024, September 2024, May 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. The most serious of these was recorded at level L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F812 in January 2024, September 2024, May 2025 and December 2025. 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 F550 in September 2024, May 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers residents’ right to dignity, to make their own choices and to communicate. The most serious of these was recorded at level I (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F684 in September 2024, May 2025 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 K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F686 in September 2024, May 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). The most serious of these was recorded at level K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F725 in January 2024, September 2024 and May 2025. 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 L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F760 in January 2024, September 2024 and May 2025. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. The most serious of these was recorded at level L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F565 in September 2024 and May 2025. 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 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 F582 in January 2024 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. None rose above level B (potential for minimal harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F600 in September 2024 and May 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. The most serious of these was recorded at level K (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F675 in May 2025 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Honor each resident's preferences, choices, values and beliefs. The most serious of these was recorded at level L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F690 in September 2024 and May 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 F693 in September 2024 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube. 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 F698 in May 2025 and December 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 F804 in May 2025 and December 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 F835 in May 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers whether the home is run in a way that uses its resources effectively. 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 F837 in September 2024 and May 2025. The agency describes it this way: Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility. The most serious of these was recorded at level L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F865 in May 2025 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities. 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.
F677 was cited in January 2024, September 2024, May 2025, December 2025 and July 2026. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. The most serious was level H (actual harm). The July 2026 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.
F689 was cited in January 2024, May 2025, December 2025 and August 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. The most serious was level K (immediate jeopardy). The August 2026 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.
F880 was cited in September 2024, May 2025, December 2025 and July 2026. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. The most serious was level L (immediate jeopardy). The July 2026 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.
F919 was cited in July 2026. The agency describes it this way: Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area. The most serious was level E (no actual harm, potential for more). The July 2026 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction.” The record does not show whether the problem was fixed.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level L.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: 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 I.
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 three inspections, most seriously at level K.
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 K.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
Nursing Staff Levels: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level L.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level L.
What changed after F565 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F565: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F582 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F582: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level B.
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 K.
What changed after F675 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F675: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level L.
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 F693 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F693: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis Care: 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 long have the administrator and the director of nursing been in their roles?
Administration: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F837 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F837: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level L.
What changed after F865 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F865: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
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 five inspections, most seriously at level H. The July 17, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.
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 K. The August 21, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.
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 L. The July 17, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.
What changed after F919 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F919: cited in one inspections, most seriously at level E. The July 17, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $299,319 civil money penalty was imposed December 22, 2025. 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 New York state survey agency.
New York state survey agency
Inspection Jan 25, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New York state survey agency
Inspection Sep 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New York state survey agency
Inspection May 9, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New York state survey agency
Inspection Dec 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New York state survey agency
Inspection Jul 17, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New York state survey agency
Inspection Aug 21, 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 · 335082
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJanuary 25, 2024 – 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.