Inspection Reports for
Merrill Gardens at Auburn
18 1st St SE, Auburn, WA 98002, WA, 98002
Back to Facility Profile11 Reports
Notice — Aug 11, 2026
Date: Aug 11, 2026
Visit Reason
The document confirms the facility's request for a document review Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) related to a Statement of Deficiencies dated June 26, 2026, with the review scheduled for August 11, 2026, and no meeting planned.
Findings
This letter does not contain inspection findings but serves as a scheduling notice for the IDR document review process disputing citation WAC 388-78A-2100.
Inspection Report — Jul 21, 2026
Life Safety
Date: Jul 21, 2026
Visit Reason
The Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted a scheduled fire and life safety inspection at Merrill Gardens at Auburn on 07/21/2026.
Findings
All violations noted during previous related inspections have been corrected. The facility was approved at this inspection with no open deficiencies.
Notice — Jun 26, 2026
Date: Jun 26, 2026
Visit Reason
The document informs the facility that their Informal Dispute Resolution request for the Statement of Deficiencies dated June 26, 2026, was denied due to being submitted after the required deadline.
Findings
The letter states that the IDR request was received late and therefore denied without further process. It explains the facility's right to request an IDR within ten days of receiving the deficiency notice.
Report Facts
Days late for IDR request: 6
Inspection Report — Jun 26, 2026
Plan of Correction
Date: Jun 26, 2026
Visit Reason
The document reports the results of an Informal Dispute Resolution (IDR) process regarding a previously cited deficiency under WAC 388-78A-2100 at an assisted living facility.
Findings
The IDR review resulted in the deletion of the cited deficiency WAC 388-78A-2100. The facility's dispute was upheld and the deficiency was removed.
Inspection Report — Oct 21, 2025
Complaint Investigation
Date: Oct 21, 2025
Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint (#197134) regarding smoke detectors at Merrill Gardens at Auburn.
Complaint Details
Complaint #197134 alleged issues with smoke detectors. The investigation confirmed the smoke detector activated but no fire alarm or fire department response was needed. No violations were found.
Findings
The investigation found that on 10/3/2025 a smoke alarm was triggered by a smoldering zipfizz on a stove top, but no fire alarm or fire department response occurred. The room was cleared and no injuries or fire code violations were observed. The facility was approved.
Inspection Report — Oct 20, 2025
Life Safety
Date: Oct 20, 2025
Visit Reason
On 10/20/2025 the Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted a fire safety inspection at Merrill Gardens at Auburn to verify compliance with fire safety codes and confirm correction of previous violations.
Findings
All violations noted during previous related inspections have been corrected. The facility was approved following this inspection.
Deficiencies (2)
IFC 705.2.4 (2021) - The following fire doors did not latch during testing: resident room 320, corridor door by room 320, and the rehabilitation room door was propped open.
IFC 907.8 (2021) - Breaker Panel 31B does not have a label on the outside indicating Fire Alarm circuit.
Inspection Report — Aug 12, 2025
Re-Inspection
Date: Aug 12, 2025
Visit Reason
A re-inspection was conducted on 08/12/2025 at Merrill Gardens at Auburn by the Office of the State Fire Marshal to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.
Findings
Several deficiencies from the prior inspection remained uncorrected, including fire doors not latching and a propped open rehabilitation room door. Other items such as burning objects, extension cords, ampacity, smoke barriers, portable fire extinguishers, emergency lighting, reliability, maintenance, and security were corrected.
Deficiencies (2)
IFC 705.2.4 2021 - The following fire doors did not latch during testing: resident room 320 and corridor door by room 320. The rehabilitation room door was propped open.
IFC 907.8 (2021) - Breaker Panel 31B does not have a label on the outside indicating Fire Alarm circuit.
Inspection Report — Jan 28, 2025
Follow-Up
Date: Jan 28, 2025
Visit Reason
Follow-up inspection to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.
Findings
The follow-up inspection found no deficiencies and confirmed that all previously cited deficiencies were corrected.
Deficiencies (17)
WAC 246-215-02310 Hands and arms When to wash (FDA Food Code 2-301.14). Food employees shall clean their hands and exposed portions of their arms as specified before engaging in food preparation. Staff T failed to wash hands between handling dirty and clean dishes. This deficiency was previously cited and remained uncorrected.
WAC 388-78A-2320 Intermittent nursing services systems. The facility must develop and implement systems that support safe nursing practice and meet regulatory requirements. The facility failed to ensure nurse delegation services were provided to residents 2 and 9, placing them at risk for improper medication administration.
WAC 388-78A-2300 Food and nutrition services. The facility must maintain a diet manual approved by a dietitian and ensure it is used by food preparation staff. The facility failed to maintain and make available a dietary manual to food preparation staff, placing 33 residents at risk of unmet nutritional needs.
WAC 388-78A-2305 Food sanitation. The facility must manage food and maintain on-site food service facilities in compliance with regulations. Staff N failed to follow proper hand sanitation guidelines while handling dirty and clean dishes, placing 47 residents at risk of foodborne illness.
WAC 388-78A-2620 Pets. The facility must ensure animals have regular veterinary examinations, vaccinations, and certification of freedom from diseases transmittable to humans. The facility failed to ensure 2 of 3 pets had current veterinary exams, vaccinations, and certifications, placing residents at risk of illness.
WAC 388-78A-2703 Safety of the built environment. Residents cannot become locked in storage rooms or closets not intended for resident access. The locking game storage closet in the memory care unit had a broken threshold and lock, risking residents being locked inside.
WAC 388-78A-2880 Changing use of rooms. The facility must obtain written approval from Construction Review Services before changing room use. The facility failed to obtain approval for converting a second-floor trash room into a trash room/resident library with unsecured shelving, risking resident injury.
WAC 388-78A-3000 Ventilation. Rooms must be ventilated to prevent excessive odors or moisture and remove smoke. The memory care common bathroom and laundry room were not vented to the exterior, causing poor air quality and risk of respiratory distress for residents.
WAC 388-78A-3090 Maintenance and housekeeping. Exterior grounds and facility components must be safe, sanitary, and in good repair. The memory care courtyard contained stagnant water in gardening containers, posing a risk of illness and diminished quality of life.
WAC 388-78A-3100 Safe storage of supplies and equipment. Potentially hazardous supplies must be secured. The Activities Room contained a 10-inch chef’s knife in a dishwasher accessible to residents, placing 18 residents at risk of injury.
WAC 388-78A-2690 Electronic monitoring equipment Resident requested use. The facility must reevaluate the need for electronic monitoring at least quarterly with written, signed documentation. The facility failed to conduct quarterly reevaluation and obtain written consent for Resident 9, risking violation of privacy.
WAC 388-78A-2400 Protection of resident records. Resident records must be maintained confidentially and secured. The facility failed to secure an Assisted Living medication room containing confidential medical records, risking unauthorized access to 32 residents’ records.
WAC 388-78A-2210 Medication services. Residents must receive medications as prescribed. Resident 3 received diclofenac without measurement contrary to physician orders. Resident 8 was administered expired nitroglycerin. These failures placed both residents at risk of health decline.
WAC 388-78A-2320 Intermittent nursing services systems. The facility must provide nurse delegation services by qualified staff. The facility failed to ensure nurse delegation services were provided to Residents 2, 9, and 10 by qualified delegated staff, placing them at risk for improper medication administration.
WAC 388-78A-2660 Resident rights. The facility must provide residents dignity and respect. Staff applied topical medication to Resident 3’s knees in a common area, violating Resident 3’s dignity and privacy rights.
WAC 388-78A-2371 Investigations. The facility must investigate incidents. The facility failed to investigate unknown bruising on Resident 2, risking additional harm and neglect.
WAC 388-78A-2260 Storing, securing, and accounting for medications. Medications must be secured. The facility failed to secure an Assisted Living medication room accessible to residents and visitors, risking unauthorized access to medications.
Report Facts
Residents at risk: 47
Residents at risk: 33
Residents at risk: 15
Residents at risk: 18
Residents at risk: 32
Residents at risk: 3
Residents at risk: 14
Employees mentioned
| Name | Title | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Staff C | Caregiver/Medication Technician | Named in findings for lack of nurse delegation and improper medication administration. |
| Staff J | Caregiver/Medication Technician | Named in findings for improper topical medication application violating resident dignity. |
| Staff L | Executive Chef | Named in findings related to food safety and dietary manual availability. |
| Staff N | Dishwasher | Named in findings for failure to follow hand sanitation guidelines. |
| Staff O | Business Office Manager | Named in findings for failure to monitor pet vaccination records. |
| Staff Q | Maintenance Director | Named in findings for unsafe storage shelving, stagnant water, and ventilation issues. |
| Staff G | Registered Nurse, Regional Director of Health Services | Named in findings for nurse delegation oversight and medication administration issues. |
| Staff U | Medication Technician | Named in findings for administering medications without delegation. |
| Staff T | Dishwasher | Named in findings for failure to wash hands between dirty and clean dish handling. |
Inspection Report — Jan 3, 2025
Enforcement
Date: Jan 3, 2025
Visit Reason
This document is a follow-up visit resulting in the imposition of civil fines due to uncorrected deficiencies related to food sanitation and nursing services at the assisted living facility.
Findings
The facility failed to ensure proper hand sanitation by staff and failed to provide nurse delegation services to two residents. These uncorrected deficiencies placed residents at risk and resulted in civil fines totaling $900.00.
Deficiencies (2)
WAC 388-78A-2305 (1) Food sanitation. The licensee failed to ensure one staff member followed required hand sanitation guidelines, placing 47 residents at risk of foodborne illnesses.
WAC 388-78A-2320 (1)(a)(b) Intermittent nursing services systems. The licensee failed to ensure two residents received nurse delegation services, risking improper medication administration and compromised health.
Report Facts
Civil fines total: 900
Residents at risk due to hand sanitation failure: 47
Residents affected by nurse delegation failure: 2
Inspection Report — May 13, 2024
Life Safety
Date: May 13, 2024
Visit Reason
An unannounced Fire and Life Safety Code inspection was conducted to determine compliance with applicable codes.
Findings
Multiple fire and life safety code deficiencies were cited, including issues with fire alarm drills, power taps, fire door maintenance, penetrations in fire-resistant walls, exit signs, and emergency power systems. The facility was disapproved and required to correct these violations.
Deficiencies (13)
IFC 405.8 (2021) - The facility has not sounded their fire alarm during fire drills and staff stated drills are only initiated once a year. Fire drills must be initiated by activating the fire alarm system with audible alarms or a coded announcement between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
IFC 603.5 (2021) - Unapproved multi plug adapters were found in resident rooms 413, 335, and the Select Rehabilitation office on the 1st floor.
IFC 603.5.2 (2021) - Resident room 307 has a power strip daisy chained into another power strip, which is not permitted.
IFC 701.6 (2021) - The facility was unable to provide records of annual fire wall and/or repairs. A fire wall map or list of fire walls must be provided.
IFC 703.1 (2021) - Penetrations were found in the wall outside resident room 413, electrical room/storage by 331 with conduits having paper shoved on the outside, and in the dining room ceiling tile around the sprinkler head.
IFC 705.2 (2021) - The facility could not provide documentation for all fire doors. Some doors did not close or latch properly including the electrical room by 410, stairwell 4NW27 by room 406, dry storage in kitchen, team member lounge, and SW storage room outside in garage.
IFC 706.1 (2018) - The facility's fore damper report shows 9 dampers have failed. All deficiencies must be corrected or documented as corrected.
IFC 807.1 (2021) - The memory care exit door is lined with decorative plastic all the way down, which is not allowed.
IFC 903.5 (2021) - The annual sprinkler report shows multiple deficiencies including overdue 3-year full flow trip test and missed 4th quarter inspection. All deficiencies must be corrected or documented as corrected.
IFC 1013.5 (2021) - The exit sign on the patio (memory care side) has an exit sign that is full of water and does not work.
IFC 1031.2 (2021) - The dining room has a table and chairs blocking the exit door.
IFC 1031.10.2 (2021) - The facility was unable to provide documentation showing that 90-minute annual testing of emergency lighting has been performed in the last 12 months.
IFC 1203.1.3 (2021) - The facility's generator lacks an emergency stop switch outside and does not have an annunciation panel for the new generator.
Report Facts
Failed dampers: 9
Inspection Report — Apr 24, 2023
Life Safety
Date: Apr 24, 2023
Visit Reason
The Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted a scheduled fire and life safety code inspection at the facility to determine compliance with applicable codes.
Findings
All violations noted during previous related inspections have been corrected. The facility was approved following this inspection.
Viewing
Loading inspection reports...
