Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
Open-data reference.
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham is a for profit - corporation facility in BELLINGHAM, WA with 105 certified beds and a 4-star overall CMS rating. The facility has 43 deficiency records on file. Total penalties: $106K.
3121 SQUALICUM PARKWAY, BELLINGHAM, WA 98225
Phone: 3607346760
Overall Rating
Health Inspection
Staffing
Quality Measures
Long-Stay Quality
Facility Information
- Provider Number
- 505296
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 105
- Residents
- 64
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Whatcom
- Last Inspection
- Dec 5, 2025
Staffing Data
- RN Hours
- 1.12 (nat'l avg: 0.68)
- LPN Hours
- 0.79
- CNA Hours
- 2.51
- Total Nursing Hours
- 4.42 (nat'l avg: 3.89)
- PT Hours
- 0.11
What the CMS Record Reveals About Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
Avalon Healthcare Bellingham operates 105 certified beds in BELLINGHAM, WA with approximately 64 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results (3★), staffing levels (3★), and quality measures (5★). Because CMS caps the overall score at the health-inspection tier and then adjusts up or down based on staffing and quality, the sub-scores often tell a sharper story than the headline star count alone — a 3-star facility with weak inspection history reads differently from one held back by thin staffing.
The inspection file contains 43 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 4 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. On the enforcement side, CMS has assessed 2 penalties totaling $106K against this provider, a tangible indicator that regulators moved beyond citation into financial consequence. Staffing is reported at 4.42 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.89), with RN coverage at 1.12 per resident day — the single staffing metric most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.
Classified as "For profit - Corporation" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Avalon Healthcare Bellingham falls into a category where comparative context matters. National research consistently shows that ownership structure, staffing hours, and turnover are the three operational levers that correlate most strongly with resident outcomes — ratings and fines are lagging indicators of those upstream choices. For families evaluating this facility, the CMS record should be read alongside a site visit, direct conversation with current residents and their families, and review of the state health department's most recent inspection report — the star rating is a starting point, not a verdict. All data on this page is sourced from CMS Provider Data and the Nursing Home Compare program; always verify details directly with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.
Deficiency History (43 most recent)
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
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.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 5, 2026
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: May 15, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 29, 2025
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 3, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 3, 2025
Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 3, 2025
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 3, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 3, 2025
Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 3, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 19, 2024
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 19, 2024
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 17, 2024
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 9, 2024
Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 1, 2024
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.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 28, 2023
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 28, 2023
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 10, 2023
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.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 28, 2023
Quality Measures
| Measure | Type | Score | Used in Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 13.2% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 3.1% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 1.1% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 41.1% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | Long Stay | 0.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 8.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Long Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 96.5% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 15.4% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 18.5% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 98.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 0.7% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 26.8% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 11.9% | Yes |
Penalty History 2 penalties totaling $106K
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2025 | Fine | $32K |
| May 31, 2023 | Fine | $74K |
| May 31, 2023 | Payment Denial | - |
| Mar 8, 2023 | Fine | $96K |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall CMS rating for Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
What are the staffing levels at Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
How many beds does Avalon Healthcare Bellingham have?
Does Avalon Healthcare Bellingham have any deficiencies on record?
Has Avalon Healthcare Bellingham received any fines or penalties?
Who owns Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
When was Avalon Healthcare Bellingham last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for Avalon Healthcare Bellingham?
Data Sources
Data source: CMS Nursing Home Compare. Ratings, staffing, deficiency, quality measure, and penalty data are from CMS Provider Data. For informational purposes only. Always verify information directly with the facility or your state health department.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.