Inspection Reports for
The Bellingham at Orchard A Memory Care Residence

Complaint ref # 215890 concerned the failure of the fire alarm panel causing the system to be offline for emergency calls. The facility started fire watch and resident headcounts immediately. The fire alarm is still operational locally but cannot call 911. The complaint investigation confirmed these issues and required fire watch procedures until repairs are completed.

The fire alarm panel failed causing all egress doors and the fire alarm system to be offline except for local operation. The facility implemented fire watch procedures with designated staff responsible for calling 911. Permits for system replacement have been submitted and repairs are pending. No injuries or fire department response were reported.

The report documents two uncorrected deficiencies resulting in civil fines: failure to ensure timely tuberculosis screening for two staff members and failure to ensure three staff members completed CPR and first aid training. These deficiencies place residents at risk and remain uncorrected since the prior citation.

The inspection found multiple fire and life safety code violations, many related to documentation deficiencies and physical safety issues. Several violations were corrected on site, but significant deficiencies remain, resulting in a disapproved status.

The complaint investigation involved allegations including missing resident belongings, unclean rooms, lack of social interaction encouragement, assault incidents, and cancelled physical therapy. The department substantiated failed provider practice related to missing items investigations and issued citations. Other allegations were found unsubstantiated.

The investigation found that the facility failed to investigate missing items for two residents, resulting in citations for failed provider practice. Other allegations such as abuse, neglect, and physical therapy cancellation were not substantiated. The facility was found not in compliance with licensing laws as stated in the cited deficiencies.

The follow-up inspection on 03/06/2025 found no deficiencies; all previously cited deficiencies were corrected as documented in the resident records and care plans.

The complaint investigation found that the Assisted Living Facility failed their second Fire and Life Safety Inspection with three violations cited. The facility was not in compliance with fire and life safety requirements and citations were written.

The follow-up inspection on 03/04/2025 found no deficiencies and confirmed that the facility meets the Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements. Previously cited deficiencies related to fire and life safety were corrected.

All violations noted during previous related inspections have been corrected and the facility was approved at this inspection.

The complaint investigation involved multiple allegations including unsanitary conditions, unattended residents, staffing shortages, poor resident hygiene, nurse unavailability, unprofessional behavior by the Executive Director, cluttered lobby, and lack of cleaning supplies. Only the environmental maintenance and housekeeping allegation was substantiated with a citation issued. Other allegations were found unsubstantiated after observations, interviews, and record reviews.

The investigation found one failed provider practice related to maintenance and housekeeping, specifically broken window blinds, dirty floors, scuffed doors, and a dirty housekeeping cart. Other allegations including staffing levels, resident hygiene, nurse availability, and Executive Director behavior were not substantiated. The facility was cited for noncompliance with WAC 388-78A-3090 Maintenance and housekeeping.

The facility was found unable to provide documentation for the 4-year fire and smoke damper inspection, resulting in a disapproved status. No other corrections or violations were noted in this inspection.

The facility was disapproved due to inability to provide documentation for the 4-year fire and smoke damper inspection. One deficiency related to sprinkler system testing was corrected on site.

The complaint investigation involved allegations about a named resident's falls without family notification, altercations with other residents, inconsistent use of door deterrents, wearing other residents' clothing, and poor room conditions including strong urine smell and decomposing toilet floor. Additional complaints included failure to assess swelling and wounds, failure to take the resident to meals, significant weight loss, and failure to notify the doctor. The investigation found failed practices and citations were issued for maintenance, monitoring, and investigation deficiencies.

The follow-up inspection on 01/09/2025 found no deficiencies and confirmed correction of prior issues. The complaint investigation found multiple deficiencies including failure to maintain a safe and sanitary environment, inadequate monitoring of residents' well-being, and failure to investigate injuries properly. Citations were written for noncompliance with WAC 388-78A-3090, 388-78A-2120, and 388-78A-2371.

The facility failed to correct violations from three prior Fire and Life Safety annual inspections, resulting in a civil fine of $700.00. These uncorrected deficiencies placed 68 residents at risk of harm in the event of a fire.

The complaints investigated involved multiple allegations including failure to report abuse and neglect, failure to complete ongoing assessments, and failure to notify agency representatives of hospital admissions. The investigation found multiple deficiencies related to these allegations, with citations issued for non-compliance with reporting and assessment regulations.

The follow-up inspection on 10/24/2024 found no deficiencies and confirmed that the previously cited deficiency regarding failure to report abuse and neglect was corrected.

The licensee failed to correct violations from three Fire and Life Safety annual inspections, resulting in a civil fine of $500. The deficiencies remain uncorrected and place 68 residents at risk of harm in the event of a fire.

Multiple complaints were investigated between 03/07/2024 and 04/24/2024 regarding wound care, background checks, medication refusal, and incident investigations. Findings included failure to provide adequate nursing services, incomplete background checks for staff, failure to notify physicians of medication refusals, and failure to investigate resident falls. Citations were written for multiple WAC regulations.

The follow-up inspection conducted on 10/02/2024 found no deficiencies and confirmed that the facility meets Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements. Previously cited deficiencies related to background checks were corrected.

All violations noted during previous related inspections have been corrected, resulting in an Approved status for this inspection.

The facility failed to ensure four staff completed required Washington State background checks every two years, resulting in a civil fine of $700.00. This deficiency is recurring and uncorrected despite prior citations on April 24, 2024, and July 12, 2024.

The facility was fined $600 for failing to ensure two residents received care as stated in their negotiated service agreements. One resident was left in unsanitary conditions with a soiled brief and incontinence pad, and another was observed unshaven with food debris and strong oral odor, placing residents at risk for medical complications. This citation is recurring from previous inspections.

The report documents an uncorrected deficiency involving failure to report an unwitnessed fall with substantial injuries to the Complaint Resolution Unit, resulting in a civil fine of $200.00. This deficiency was previously cited and remains uncorrected.

The facility failed to ensure four staff completed required background checks every two years, resulting in 67 residents being cared for by staff with unknown backgrounds. This deficiency was uncorrected from a previous citation and resulted in a $400 civil fine.

Complaint number 134209 alleged that a named resident was not receiving services as agreed in the negotiated service agreement. The investigation confirmed failures for 2 residents, resulting in a citation for noncompliance with WAC 388-78A-2160.

The investigation found that the facility failed to provide care as agreed in the service agreement for 2 of 3 residents, including leaving a resident in soiled briefs and another with poor oral hygiene. A citation was issued for noncompliance with WAC 388-78A-2160.

The complaint investigation involved allegations that a named resident was admitted for respite care without notifying family or obtaining physician orders, sustained injuries, lacked a hospital bed, had limited mobility and oxygen needs, and passed away due to lack of oxygen access. The investigation substantiated failures in obtaining physician orders for respite admission and coordination of care after a choking episode and diet change. Other allegations such as staffing adequacy and injury management were not substantiated.

The investigation found two deficiencies related to failure to obtain physician orders for respite admission and failure to coordinate health care services after a choking episode and diet change. Other allegations including staffing, oxygen use, and injury management were not substantiated. The follow-up inspection on 06/04/2024 found no deficiencies and the facility met licensing requirements.

The complaint investigation (Compliance Determination #34641) involved allegations including nonfunctional call buttons, missing laundry, missed tests, improper resident care, short staffing, and billing errors. The investigation found no facility failed practices except for the medication administration issue related to bowel movements. The complaint was substantiated with a citation issued for medication services.

The follow-up inspection on 06/04/2024 found no deficiencies and confirmed that all previously cited deficiencies were corrected. The facility now meets Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements.

The complaint investigation conducted from 08/04/2023 through 09/29/2023 involved multiple allegations including unsafe storage of hazardous supplies, medication security, freedom of movement, and failure to provide care as agreed. The investigation found failed provider practices and citations were issued for unsafe storage of supplies, unsecured medications, restricted exit from memory care, and failure to provide oral hygiene care. Some allegations such as falls and bruising were not substantiated.

The follow-up inspection on 03/28/2024 found no deficiencies and confirmed that previously cited deficiencies related to safe storage of supplies and equipment were corrected. The facility meets Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements.

The complaint investigation involved a resident with significant bruising and swelling of the left hand with unknown source. The facility failed to report the incident to the Complaint Resolution Unit as required. The allegation was substantiated and a citation was issued for noncompliance with WAC 388-78A-2630.

The follow-up inspection found no deficiencies and confirmed that the facility meets Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements. Previously cited deficiencies related to failure to report significant bruising and swelling of a resident's left hand were corrected.

The facility was cited for an uncorrected deficiency involving unsafe storage of hazardous supplies accessible to all 71 residents in a secured memory care unit. A civil fine of $400 was imposed due to failure to correct this hazard.

Two complaints were investigated: one regarding a resident-to-resident altercation resulting in a citation for failure to implement negotiated service agreements, and another regarding a missing resident who exited the facility without staff following door alarm response procedures, resulting in a citation for policy noncompliance.

The investigation found deficiencies related to the implementation of negotiated service agreements and policies and procedures for door alarm response. Citations were issued for noncompliance with WAC 388-78A-2160 and WAC 388-78A-2600. The facility failed to ensure residents received care as agreed and did not follow door alarm response policies.

The complaint investigation addressed multiple allegations including staff certification, resident neglect, mold, unsafe storage of cleaning supplies, and understaffing. Two citations were issued related to unsafe storage of supplies and poor housekeeping. Other allegations were found unsubstantiated.

The investigation found one citation for unsafe storage of supplies and equipment and one citation for maintenance and housekeeping deficiencies. Other allegations were found to have no failed facility practice. The facility was found not in compliance with licensing requirements due to these deficiencies.