
Report
TheVardellReport
Embassy of Hearthside
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
450 Waupelani Drive
State College, PA 16801

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
450 Waupelani Drive
State College, PA 16801
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 15 inspections from November 2023 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 78 findings at Embassy of Hearthside; 78 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 5 | 25 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 22 | 3 |
| 2026 | 5 | 30 | 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)
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)
19 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
18 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $130,078 imposed March 14, 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 March 14, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $21,242 imposed October 7, 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 March 14, 2025, 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)
1 finding
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)
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)
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)
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 F812 in April 2024, March 2025, August 2025, February 2026 and May 2026. 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 F584 in March 2025, February 2026 and May 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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 F607 in April 2024, June 2025 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. 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 April 2024, March 2025 and August 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 F688 in April 2024, March 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers care that keeps or improves a resident’s movement and mobility. 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 F801 in March 2025, February 2026 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician. 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 F578 in March 2025 and February 2026. 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 F600 in March 2025 and October 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 F695 in April 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. 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 F700 in April 2024 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail. 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 F744 in April 2024 and March 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia. 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 April 2024 and March 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 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 April 2024 and February 2026. 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 F761 in April 2024 and February 2026. 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 F791 in April 2024 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Provide or obtain dental services for each resident. 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 F842 in September 2024 and November 2024. 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 F880 in April 2024 and March 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level F.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F607 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F607: cited in three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What do you do to keep residents moving, and who provides range-of-motion care?
Mobility and Range of Motion: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F801 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F801: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
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.
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.
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 D.
What changed after F700 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F700: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F744 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F744: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F756 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F756: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are medication passes checked, and what happens when an error is found?
Medication Error Rate: 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.
What changed after F791 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in two 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 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?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $21,242 civil money penalty was imposed October 7, 2025. 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 Pennsylvania state survey agency.
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Nov 22, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Feb 15, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Apr 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Sep 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Nov 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Nov 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Mar 14, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Jun 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Aug 25, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Oct 7, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Feb 4, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Feb 20, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection May 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Jul 1, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Jul 23, 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 · 395868
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowNovember 22, 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.