
Report
TheVardellReport
Montello Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
251 Forest Lane
Montello, WI 53949

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
251 Forest Lane
Montello, WI 53949
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 12 inspections from June 2023 to August 2026, state surveyors documented 73 findings at Montello Care Center; 72 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 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| 2024 | 3 | 24 | 0 |
| 2025 | 5 | 29 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 | 12 | 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.
6 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)
15 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
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)
6 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)
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, $132,276 imposed April 9, 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 July 31, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $10,358 imposed October 22, 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 July 31, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
8 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 F609 in April 2024, July 2024, October 2024, April 2025, August 2025 and October 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 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 April 2024, July 2024, April 2025, October 2025, December 2025 and May 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 F880 in June 2023, April 2024, July 2024, June 2025 and December 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 F755 in April 2024, June 2025, December 2025 and June 2026. This citation covers pharmacy services and the licensed pharmacist who oversees 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 F677 in July 2024, December 2025 and August 2026. 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 F689 in October 2024, June 2025 and May 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 F812 in June 2023, July 2024 and December 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 F607 in July 2024 and December 2025. 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 F623 in June 2023 and July 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 F625 in June 2023 and July 2024. The agency describes it this way: Notify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave. 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 F628 in December 2025 and May 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 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 F645 in July 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers the required screening for mental illness or intellectual disability before admission (PASARR). 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 F656 in June 2023 and July 2024. 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 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 July 2024 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary 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 F842 in June 2025 and August 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.
F686 was cited in April 2024, June 2025 and August 2026. This citation covers how the home prevents and treats pressure injuries (bedsores). The most serious was level G (actual harm). The August 2026 citation has no recorded correction date; its status reads “Deficient, Provider has 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 are staff trained to report suspected abuse or neglect, and who reports it to the state?
Reporting Suspected Abuse: cited in six 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 six 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 five inspections, most seriously at level F.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in four 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 three 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 three inspections, most seriously at level J.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F607 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F607: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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.
What changed after F625 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F625: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F628 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F628: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
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 D.
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 D.
What changed after F757 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F757: 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 D.
How often are residents checked for pressure injuries and repositioned, and who is responsible for it?
Pressure Injury Care: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level G. The August 5, 2026 citation has no recorded correction date.
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 $10,358 civil money penalty was imposed October 22, 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 Wisconsin state survey agency.
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Jun 1, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Apr 9, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Jul 31, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Oct 18, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Apr 9, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Jun 12, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Aug 1, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Oct 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Dec 4, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection May 11, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Jun 8, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Wisconsin state survey agency
Inspection Aug 5, 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 · 525657
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowJune 1, 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.