
Report
TheVardellReport
Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
5601 S Orchard Street
Tacoma, WA 98409

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
5601 S Orchard Street
Tacoma, WA 98409
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 March 2024 to June 2026, state surveyors documented 78 findings at Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation; 78 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 22 | 1 |
| 2025 | 5 | 30 | 0 |
| 2026 | 4 | 26 | 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.
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)
3 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
19 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $19,656 imposed March 13, 2026. 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 13, 2026, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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)
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)
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)
3 findings
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)
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 F684 in March 2024, July 2024, November 2024, March 2025, March 2026 and June 2026. 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 F610 in March 2024, July 2024, June 2025, November 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 March 2025, August 2025, March 2026, March 2026 and June 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 F609 in May 2024, March 2025 and June 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 F657 in July 2024, March 2025 and March 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 F692 in March 2025, July 2025 and March 2026. 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 F695 in May 2024, March 2025 and March 2026. 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 F552 in March 2025 and May 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. 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 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers residents’ right to accept or refuse treatment and to make an advance directive. 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 F584 in March 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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 F645 in March 2025 and March 2026. This citation covers the required screening for mental illness or intellectual disability before admission (PASARR). 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 F656 in March 2025 and March 2026. 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 F658 in May 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers whether the home’s services meet professional standards of quality. 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 F677 in May 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. 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 July 2024 and March 2026. 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 F693 in March 2025 and March 2026. 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 F757 in May 2024 and March 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary 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 F812 in March 2025 and March 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
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 six inspections, most seriously at level G.
When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?
Investigating Alleged Violations: 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.
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 E.
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 are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?
Respiratory Care: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level E.
What changed after F552 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F552: cited in two 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 E.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
Was the required pre-admission screening done for every resident, and how is it tracked?
Pre-Admission Screening: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 E.
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
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 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.
What changed after F693 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F693: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F757 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F757: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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.
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 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $19,656 civil money penalty was imposed March 13, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Washington state survey agency.
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 22, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection May 23, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jul 10, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jul 15, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Oct 28, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Nov 1, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 14, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jun 30, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jul 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Aug 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Nov 19, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 13, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 26, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection May 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jun 18, 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 · 505289
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowMarch 22, 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.