
Report
TheVardellReport
Heritage Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
5701 Phillips Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
5701 Phillips Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
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 18 inspections from October 2023 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 120 findings at Heritage Care Center; 120 have a recorded correction; CMS lists no enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 13 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 60 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 | 37 | 0 |
| 2026 | 4 | 10 | 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.
6 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)
30 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)
3 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)
24 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)
8 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
9 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)
8 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)
11 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)
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 October 2023, December 2023, December 2024, February 2025, August 2025 and November 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 F806 in May 2024, August 2024, October 2024, November 2025 and August 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options. 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 December 2023, May 2024, August 2024 and December 2024. 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 F689 in August 2024, August 2024, November 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 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 F760 in October 2023, December 2023, May 2024 and November 2025. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. 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 F761 in August 2024, December 2024, November 2025 and August 2026. 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 F804 in December 2023, May 2024, August 2024 and August 2026. This citation covers whether food and drink are palatable, attractive and served at a safe temperature. 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 F809 in May 2024, June 2024, August 2024 and December 2024. The agency describes it this way: Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times. 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 November 2025, February 2026 and August 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 F641 in December 2023, August 2024 and November 2025. 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 F693 in December 2023, December 2024 and November 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 December 2024, August 2025 and November 2025. This citation covers care for residents who need dialysis. 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 F803 in December 2023, June 2024 and November 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident. 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 F805 in May 2024, August 2024 and October 2024. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs. 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 December 2023, December 2024 and November 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 F554 in December 2024 and November 2025. This citation covers whether a resident who keeps and takes their own medication has been assessed as safe to do so. 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 F557 in August 2024 and February 2025. The agency describes it this way: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions. 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 August 2024 and November 2025. 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 F600 in December 2023 and August 2024. 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 F607 in August 2024 and December 2024. The agency describes it this way: Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. 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 F610 in August 2024 and November 2025. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 F622 in February 2024 and December 2024. The agency describes it this way: Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged. 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 F623 in February 2024 and November 2024. This citation covers notice to the resident, their representative and the ombudsman before a transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. 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 December 2024 and April 2026. 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 F686 in December 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). 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 F690 in August 2024 and December 2024. 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 December 2024 and November 2025. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. 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 2024 and August 2026. 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 F759 in December 2024 and November 2025. This citation covers whether medication errors stayed under 5 percent when inspectors watched medications being given. 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 F810 in December 2024 and November 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide special eating equipment and utensils for residents who need them and appropriate assistance. 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 F814 in December 2023 and November 2025. This citation covers whether garbage and refuse are disposed of properly. 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 six inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F806 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F806: cited in five 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 four inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 G.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level E.
May we try a meal, and how do you check food temperature by the time it reaches residents?
Food Quality and Temperature: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F809 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F809: cited in four 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.
Who completes resident assessments, and how are they checked for accuracy?
Accurate Assessments: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F693 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F693: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis Care: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F803 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F803: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F805 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F805: 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 you decide whether a resident may keep and take their own medications?
Residents Taking Their Own Medication: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F557 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F557: cited in two 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 E.
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.
What changed after F607 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F607: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
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 D.
What changed after F622 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F622: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
When do you transfer or discharge a resident, and how much notice do families get?
Notice Before Transfer or Discharge: 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 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 D.
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 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 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 D.
What changed after F810 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F810: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How is waste handled around the kitchen and resident areas?
Garbage and Refuse: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
Has the home been fined or had payments denied before this record begins?
CMS lists no fines or payment denials in this window. The record starts October 3, 2023; anything earlier is not in it.
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 Oct 3, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Dec 7, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Feb 13, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection May 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Jun 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Aug 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Aug 15, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Oct 17, 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 Dec 6, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Feb 20, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Aug 18, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Sep 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Nov 21, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Feb 25, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Apr 14, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection May 5, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Pennsylvania state survey agency
Inspection Aug 13, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 395732
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowOctober 3, 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.