
Report
TheVardellReport
St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1248 Hospital Drive
Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
1248 Hospital Drive
Saint Johnsbury, VT 05819
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 August 2023 to May 2026, state surveyors documented 71 findings at St. Johnsbury Health & Rehab; 70 have a recorded correction and 1 awaits one; 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 | 3 | 17 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 | 17 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | 27 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 | 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.
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)
17 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
5 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)
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)
7 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $217,310 imposed March 28, 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 11, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed March 28, 2025. Status: Closed, August 22, 2025. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 11, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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)
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)
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
10 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 F656 in August 2023, November 2023, April 2024, November 2024 and July 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 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 October 2023, December 2024, March 2025, July 2025 and January 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 F600 in October 2023, November 2024, May 2025 and July 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from abuse and neglect by anyone. 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 F657 in August 2023, July 2025 and May 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 F725 in October 2023, December 2024 and July 2025. 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 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 December 2024 and January 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 F602 in March 2024 and September 2024. The agency describes it this way: Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money. 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 F609 in September 2024 and July 2025. 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 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 F628 in May 2025 and January 2026. The agency describes it this way: Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies. 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 F655 in November 2023 and July 2025. This citation covers the baseline care plan for a new resident’s immediate needs, due within 48 hours of admission. 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 F686 in December 2024 and July 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 F756 in August 2023 and January 2026. 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 F761 in May 2025 and January 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 F773 in December 2024 and July 2025. The agency describes it this way: Provide or obtain laboratory tests/services when ordered and promptly tell the ordering practitioner of the results. 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 F841 in April 2025 and July 2025. The agency describes it this way: Designate a physician to serve as medical director responsible for implementation of resident care policies and coordination of medical care in 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 F880 in April 2025 and January 2026. 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.
F842 was cited in January 2025. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. The most serious was level C (potential for minimal harm). The January 2025 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.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in five 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 five inspections, most seriously at level G.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level L.
How often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?
Care Plan Timing and Review: cited in three 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 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 changed after F602 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F602: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F628 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F628: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What happens in the first 48 hours after admission, and who writes the first care plan?
The First 48 Hours: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
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.
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 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 F773 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F773: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F841 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F841: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level L.
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.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in one inspections, most seriously at level C. The January 22, 2025 citation has no recorded correction date.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $217,310 civil money penalty was imposed March 28, 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 Vermont state survey agency.
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Aug 30, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Oct 25, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Nov 21, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Mar 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Apr 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Sep 24, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Nov 19, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Dec 11, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Jan 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Mar 28, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Apr 8, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection May 28, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Jul 24, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection Jan 28, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Vermont state survey agency
Inspection May 4, 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 · 475019
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowAugust 30, 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.