
Report
TheVardellReport
North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
4680 Cordata Parkway
Bellingham, WA 98226

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
4680 Cordata Parkway
Bellingham, WA 98226
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 19 inspections from October 2023 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 96 findings at North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation; 96 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 5 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 | 14 | 2 |
| 2024 | 6 | 26 | 2 |
| 2025 | 3 | 20 | 1 |
| 2026 | 6 | 36 | 4 |
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)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
22 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
2 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)
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)
12 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $46,040 imposed January 28, 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 January 24, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $32,786 imposed March 4, 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 January 24, 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)
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)
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)
17 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $104,832 imposed March 8, 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 March 8, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $50,278 imposed June 20, 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 March 8, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $15,584 imposed December 30, 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 March 8, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
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)
No 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 F610 in October 2023, March 2024, March 2025, December 2025, February 2026, March 2026 and June 2026. 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 F684 in October 2023, December 2023, March 2024, January 2025, December 2025 and April 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 F689 in November 2023, September 2024, January 2025, March 2025, January 2026 and April 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 J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F880 in December 2023, March 2024, January 2025, April 2026 and August 2026. 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.
Inspectors cited F761 in December 2023, March 2024, January 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. 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 F600 in December 2023, March 2024 and March 2026. 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 F658 in March 2024, April 2024 and March 2026. 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 F758 in March 2024, June 2024 and January 2025. This citation covers how psychotropic drugs are used, including dose reductions and limits on as-needed orders. 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 March 2024, January 2026 and April 2026. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. 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 F585 in December 2025 and April 2026. 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 F609 in March 2026 and June 2026. 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 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 F644 in December 2023 and March 2024. This citation covers whether assessments are coordinated with the state’s pre-admission screening for mental illness and intellectual disability (PASARR), and referrals made. 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 April 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 F657 in October 2023 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 F677 in January 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers help with bathing, dressing, eating and toileting for residents who cannot manage alone. 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 F678 in January 2026 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Provide basic life support, including CPR, prior to the arrival of emergency medical personnel , subject to physician orders and the resident’s advance directives. The most serious of these was recorded at level J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F686 in June 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). 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 F692 in March 2024 and April 2026. This citation covers whether residents get enough food and fluids to stay healthy. 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 F698 in March 2024 and January 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 F725 in December 2023 and April 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 F730 in March 2024 and January 2025. The agency describes it this way: Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training. 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 F760 in January 2025 and January 2026. This citation covers whether residents are free from significant medication errors. 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 F812 in December 2023 and April 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 F851 in March 2024 and August 2024. The agency describes it this way: Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data. 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.
When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?
Investigating Alleged Violations: cited in seven inspections, most seriously at level D.
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.
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 six inspections, most seriously at level J.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in four inspections, most seriously at level F.
What happened after the abuse or neglect citation, and what changed in training or supervision?
Protection From Abuse and Neglect: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level G.
How do you check that nurses and aides follow professional standards, and what happens when they do not?
Professional Standards: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
How many residents take psychotropic medications, and how often are doses reviewed for reduction?
Psychotropic Medications: cited in three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level D.
How do we file a grievance, who answers it, and how quickly?
Grievances: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 D.
How do you arrange services for residents with a mental illness or an intellectual disability?
Coordinating Mental Health Screening: 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 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 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 D.
What changed after F678 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F678: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level J.
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 G.
How are weight and fluid intake tracked, and what happens when a resident starts losing weight?
Nutrition and Hydration: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
How is dialysis care coordinated, and who monitors residents before and after treatment?
Dialysis Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
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.
What changed after F730 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F730: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
What happened after the medication error citation, and how are high-risk drugs double-checked?
Significant Medication Errors: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level G.
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.
What changed after F851 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F851: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $32,786 civil money penalty was imposed March 4, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds five 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 Washington state survey agency.
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Oct 5, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Oct 30, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Nov 13, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Dec 21, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Apr 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jun 20, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Aug 12, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Sep 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Dec 30, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jan 24, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 28, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Dec 17, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jan 28, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Feb 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Mar 4, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Apr 13, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Jun 23, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Washington state survey agency
Inspection Aug 6, 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 · 505393
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowOctober 5, 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.