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Composite Quality Score
Comprehensive rating based on CMS data, staffing, quality measures, and compliance
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Current Availability Estimate
Basic Information
3121 SQUALICUM PARKWAY
BELLINGHAM, WA 98225
105
63% (~39 available)
AVALON HEALTH CARE
Quality Ratings
Safety Information
Additional Information
505296
Medicare and Medicaid
Staffing Metrics
Higher staffing hours generally indicate better care quality. Lower turnover indicates more experienced, stable staff.
Registered Nurse (RN) Hours
Per resident per day
This Facility
1.21
hours
National Avg
0.64
hours
Total Nursing Staff Hours
RN + LPN + Nurse Aides per resident per day
This Facility
4.50
hours
National Avg
3.89
hours
Breakdown:
Staff Turnover Rate
Annual nursing staff turnover
This Facility
52.3%
National Avg
46.6%
RN Turnover: 41.2%
Understanding Staffing Metrics
Staffing hours: Higher hours generally mean more staff attention per resident. Federal minimum is 3.5 total hours per resident per day, but quality facilities often exceed 4+ hours.
Turnover: High turnover (>50%) can indicate staffing issues and affect care continuity. Lower turnover means more experienced staff familiar with residents' needs.
Detailed Quality Measures
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Health Inspections & Deficiencies
Critical Deficiencies Found
This facility has 2 deficiency citations involving actual harm to residents. Review these carefully before making a decision.
Total Deficiencies
92
Inspections
14
Critical
2
High
10
Apr 24, 2025 - Health Survey
2 deficiencies cited
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Jan 13, 2025 - Health Survey
2 deficiencies cited
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Dec 6, 2024 - Health Survey
12 deficiencies cited
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
Sep 3, 2024 - Health Survey
6 deficiencies cited
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Mar 25, 2024 - Health Survey
2 deficiencies cited
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Jan 11, 2024 - Health Survey
14 deficiencies cited
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Jun 27, 2023 - Health Survey
16 deficiencies cited
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
May 31, 2023 - Health Survey
2 deficiencies cited
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Apr 6, 2023 - Health Survey
10 deficiencies cited
Administration Deficiencies
Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Administration Deficiencies
Establish a governing body that is legally responsible for establishing and implementing policies for managing and operating the facility and appoints a properly licensed administrator responsible for managing the facility.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Mar 8, 2023 - Health Survey
12 deficiencies cited
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Not transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Jan 13, 2023 - Health Survey
2 deficiencies cited
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Jan 3, 2023 - Health Survey
4 deficiencies cited
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Dec 1, 2022 - Health Survey
2 deficiencies cited
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Jul 29, 2022 - Health Survey
6 deficiencies cited
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Understanding Deficiencies
Deficiencies are violations of federal health and safety standards identified during CMS inspections. They are categorized by scope (isolated, pattern, or widespread) and severity (potential for harm vs. actual harm).
Critical deficiencies involve actual harm to residents and should be carefully considered. Facilities typically have opportunities to correct deficiencies and implement preventive measures.
Understanding deficiencies: Not all deficiencies indicate poor care. Learn how to interpret health inspection results and identify serious warning signs. Read our guide on warning signs →
Penalties & Enforcement
1 penalty in the past 3 years
Total fines: $32,298
$32,298
Data processed: August 1, 2026
About Penalties: This data comes from CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and shows fines and payment denials issued for health and safety violations. Penalties indicate serious deficiencies that required enforcement action.
Key Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the quality rating for Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham has an overall CMS rating of 5 out of 5 stars. This rating is based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures reported by Medicare.
How many beds does this facility have?
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham has 105 certified beds. The facility averages 66 residents per day, with an occupancy rate of approximately 63%.
What type of ownership does this facility have?
This facility is for profit - corporation owned. It is part of the AVALON HEALTH CARE network.
How can I contact Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
You can call Avalon Healthcare Bellingham at (360)734-6760. The facility is located at 3121 SQUALICUM PARKWAY, BELLINGHAM, WA 98225.
What should I look for when choosing a nursing home?
When selecting a nursing home, consider: CMS star ratings (overall, health inspection, staffing, and quality measures), nurse staffing levels, staff turnover rates, recent health inspection results, complaint history, proximity to family, and available services. We recommend visiting facilities in person, talking to current residents and staff, and checking multiple sources of information before making your decision. Use our comprehensive tour checklist when visiting facilities.
Important Considerations for This Facility
Based on this facility's data, we recommend reading these guides to understand what to look for:
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Understanding Star Ratings
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Read Guide →Why Staffing Matters Most
Learn what RN hours, turnover rates, and nurse-to-resident ratios actually mean for care quality.
Read Guide →How to Read CMS Data
Decode quality measures, health inspections, and compliance reports like a pro.
Read Guide →Recognizing Warning Signs
Critical red flags that indicate neglect, abuse, or substandard care.
Read Guide →Facility Tour Checklist
What to look for, questions to ask, and red flags to watch for during your visit.
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