Inspection Reports for AvilaCare Assisted Living of Bellingham

2315 Williams Street, Bellingham, WA 98225, Bellingham, WA, 98225

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Deficiencies (last 3 years)

Deficiencies (over 3 years) 6 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies are regulatory violations found during state inspections.

5% better than Washington average
Washington average: 6.3 deficiencies/year

Deficiencies per year

8 6 4 2 0
2022
2023
2025

Census

Latest occupancy rate 38 residents

Based on a June 2025 inspection.

This facility has shown a decline in demand based on occupancy rates.

Census over time

32 36 40 44 48 Sep 2022 Jan 2023 Jun 2025

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Deficiencies: 1 Date: Sep 29, 2025

Visit Reason
The Department of Social and Health Services conducted a complaint investigation at Cypress Assisted Living Inc on September 29, 2025, due to concerns about maintenance and housekeeping.

Complaint Details
Complaint investigation conducted on September 29, 2025; deficiency was recurring and previously cited on April 9, 2025, and June 24, 2025.
Findings
The investigation found that the licensee failed to maintain the cleanliness of one resident room, resulting in an unclean and unsanitary condition that placed the resident at risk for a diminished quality of life. This deficiency was recurring and had been previously cited on April 9, 2025, and June 24, 2025.

Deficiencies (1)
Failure to maintain the cleanliness of one resident room, resulting in unclean and unsanitary conditions.
Report Facts
Civil fine amount: 300 Days to return Statement of Deficiencies: 10 Days to request formal administrative hearing: 28

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Matt HauserCompliance SpecialistSigned the imposition of civil fine letter
Jamie SingerField ManagerContact person for the facility regarding the Statement of Deficiencies and appeals

Inspection Report

Life Safety
Deficiencies: 8 Date: Aug 7, 2025

Visit Reason
The Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted an inspection at Cypress Assisted Living Inc to assess compliance with fire safety codes and regulations.

Findings
Multiple fire safety violations were identified including blocked fire doors, open electrical junction boxes, improper use of power taps, wiring attached to sprinkler piping, missing tamper seal on a fire extinguisher, and lack of documentation for emergency generator servicing. Some violations were corrected while others resulted in disapproval of the facility.

Deficiencies (8)
Open junction boxes and open-wiring splices were found and are prohibited.
Relocatable power taps and current taps were improperly connected.
Resident room fire doors that open to the corridor were blocked open, preventing closing and latching (rooms 101, 106, 108, 305, 309).
Swinging fire doors near room 111 and ice room would not close and latch automatically.
Wiring attached to sprinkler piping in the activities director office and hallway near room 309.
Fire extinguisher near room 101 is missing the tamper seal.
Facility unable to provide documentation for annual servicing of the emergency generator; the generator powering the north part of the building is non-operational.
Power adapter plugged into another power strip in the activities director's office.
Report Facts
Number of fire doors blocked open: 5

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Brandon G. BrownDeputy State Fire MarshalSigned the inspection report
Matt LuceroAdministratorSigned as Owner or Authorized Representative

Inspection Report

Follow-Up
Census: 38 Deficiencies: 2 Date: Jun 2, 2025

Visit Reason
The Department completed a follow-up inspection of Cypress Assisted Living Facility to verify correction of previously cited deficiencies.

Complaint Details
The complaint investigation included allegations of unsafe flooring, roof leaks, billing and payroll issues, lack of executive director, and outsourcing behavioral health and billing insurance. The vinyl flooring issue was substantiated with a citation issued. Other allegations such as roof leaks, billing, payroll, and behavioral health outsourcing were not substantiated. Background check deficiencies were also substantiated with citations.
Findings
The follow-up inspection found no deficiencies and confirmed that the facility meets Assisted Living Facility licensing requirements. Previous deficiencies related to maintenance, housekeeping, and background checks were corrected.

Deficiencies (2)
Vinyl flooring at the front door, hallway, and dining room was lifting off the floor causing tripping hazards; two staff and one resident tripped on the loose vinyl planks.
Background checks and character, competence, and suitability reviews were not completed timely for two staff members.
Report Facts
Total residents: 38 Resident sample size: 5 Number of vinyl planks lifting at front entrance: 5 Number of vinyl planks lifting at hallway: 4 Number of vinyl planks lifting at dining room: 3

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Helen FisherComplaint InvestigatorConducted complaint investigation
Teresa Pederson-TuleyNursing Consultant InstitutionalConducted follow-up inspection verification
Kimberley RipleyField ManagerSigned follow-up inspection letter
Staff ACookNamed in background check deficiency and vinyl flooring tripping incident
Staff BExecutive DirectorInterviewed regarding flooring and background check deficiencies
Staff CHousekeeping StaffNamed in vinyl flooring tripping incident
Staff DDietary ManagerNamed in background check deficiency

Inspection Report

Life Safety
Deficiencies: 4 Date: Jun 8, 2023

Visit Reason
The Office of the State Fire Marshal conducted an inspection at Cypress Assisted Living Inc to evaluate compliance with fire safety regulations.

Findings
Multiple violations were observed including improper use of extension cords as permanent wiring, lack of documentation for sprinkler system maintenance, and unsecured oxygen cylinders in storage and resident rooms.

Deficiencies (4)
Extension cords utilized as permanent wiring in the Executive Director's office and room #304.
Facility unable to provide documentation for the 5 year internal piping inspection of the sprinkler system.
Ten oxygen cylinders in the oxygen storeroom are not secured to prevent falling.
One oxygen cylinder in room #304 is not secured to prevent falling.
Report Facts
Oxygen cylinders unsecured: 11 Inspection date: Jul 8, 2023

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Christine AkspoeAdminOwner or Authorized Representative signing the inspection documents
Brandon G. BrownDeputy State Fire MarshalConducted the inspection and signed the report

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 41 Deficiencies: 1 Date: Jan 9, 2023

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as an unannounced on-site complaint investigation based on allegations that a named resident did not receive medication as scheduled, facility staff intended to initiate personal and sexual conduct towards the resident, the resident experienced bullying, and the resident was being discharged.

Complaint Details
The complaint involved four allegations: missed medication dose, inappropriate staff conduct, resident bullying, and discharge process. The investigation found no substantiated failed practices for these allegations.
Findings
The investigation found no failed practices related to medication administration, staff conduct, bullying, or discharge procedures. The resident was enrolled in a specialized behavioral care plan. However, a deficiency was identified related to failure to submit a required background check for one staff member.

Deficiencies (1)
Failure to submit a background check for one staff member every two years, placing residents at risk.
Report Facts
Total residents: 41 Resident sample size: 7 Closed records sample size: 0

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Syng ToALF Complaint InvestigatorInvestigator who conducted the complaint investigation
Jayne HillField ManagerSigned correspondence related to inspection
Staff BExecutive DirectorInterviewed regarding background check deficiency
Christina AbscoeAdministratorSigned Plan of Correction for background check deficiency

Inspection Report

Complaint Investigation
Census: 41 Deficiencies: 2 Date: Sep 29, 2022

Visit Reason
The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation based on multiple allegations regarding resident care, facility conditions, and infection control practices at Cypress Assisted Living Inc.

Complaint Details
The complaint investigation was substantiated with citations issued. Allegations included poor resident hygiene, unclean rooms, lack of hot water in one wing, inadequate staff training, improper use of Hoyer lift, and failure to report and manage COVID-19 cases properly.
Findings
The investigation found multiple deficiencies including poor resident hygiene, inadequate staff training on bedbound care and Hoyer lift use, failure to properly report and manage COVID-19 cases, and failure to maintain resident records. Citations were issued for infection control and record retention violations.

Deficiencies (2)
Failure to implement required infection control measures to prevent COVID-19, including lack of PPE use, failure to report positive COVID cases to local health jurisdiction, and inadequate training for housekeeping staff.
Failure to ensure resident records were maintained for the required time period, including shredding of temporary service plans and failure to keep records for a deceased resident.
Report Facts
Total residents: 41 Resident sample size: 3 Closed records sample size: 0 Compliance Determination Completion Date: Completion date 09/29/2022

Employees mentioned
NameTitleContext
Karen GloverComplaint InvestigatorInvestigator conducting the complaint investigation
Jayne HillField ManagerField Manager who signed enforcement and follow-up letters
Christine AlspectorAdministrator (or Representative)Signed Plan/Attestation Statements for correction of deficiencies

Report


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