Safety Report: Palms Care Center

Chowchilla, California · Based on official CMS inspection records as of October 1, 2026.

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How to read this report. Every nursing home receives some citations. One citation does not mean a facility is unsafe. Look at how serious the findings were, whether the same problems keep coming back, and whether things are getting better or worse. Learn how inspections work.

Official ratings

Overall★★★★★
Health inspections★★★★★
Staffing★★★★★
Quality measures★★★★★
Long-stay quality★★★★★
Short-stay quality★★★★★

Medicare's star ratings compare nursing homes within the same state for health inspections. A 5-star facility performed better than most in its state; a 1-star facility performed worse than most.

Stars are calculated by CMS, not by us. We do not create our own safety score.

Serious documented violations

1Immediate jeopardy citations (severity J–L)
2Actual harm citations (severity G–I)
7Requirements cited on more than one inspection
G
Government finding: Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of July 27, 2026, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by August 18, 2026.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F684
G
Government finding: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of July 30, 2024, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by September 4, 2024.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689
K
Government finding: Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
Inspectors rated this “immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.” The problem affected more than a very small number of residents, or happened repeatedly. Inspection of November 10, 2021. Facility reported correction by March 4, 2022.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F700

Citations by topic

1Abuse, neglect & exploitation
4Infection control
4Medications & pharmacy
2Accidents & supervision

Topics use CMS's own deficiency categories; “accidents & supervision” counts tag F689 (free of accident hazards / adequate supervision). Counts cover the last three inspection cycles, including complaint investigations.

Is it getting better or worse?

Fewer citations in the most recent cycle (9) than in the cycle before (10).

Two cycles ago
2 serious
Prior cycle
none serious
Most recent cycle
1 serious

An inspection cycle is roughly one year and includes the standard inspection plus complaint investigations. Counts depend partly on how many complaint investigations occurred, so treat small changes with caution. Red bars include at least one serious citation.

Staffing and rating trends will appear as we collect monthly CMS releases. We have one month so far, so a staffing trend cannot yet be determined.

Repeat findings

These requirements were cited on more than one inspection date in the last three cycles.

RequirementTimes citedInspection dates
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. (F880)3April 4, 2025; April 19, 2024; November 10, 2021
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. (F658)3April 4, 2025; April 19, 2024; November 10, 2021
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (F656)2April 4, 2025; April 19, 2024
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician. (F801)2April 4, 2025; April 19, 2024
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. (F689)2July 30, 2024; November 29, 2023
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (F812)2April 19, 2024; November 10, 2021
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. (F761)2April 19, 2024; November 10, 2021

Fines and enforcement

No federal fines or payment denials in the last three years.

Federal civil money penalties and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials. State-level penalties may not be included.

Complete inspection history

40 citations across 6 inspection dates.

July 27, 2026 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F684 · complaint · corrected August 18, 2026
April 4, 2025 — 8 citations
F
Post nurse staffing information every day.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F732 · corrected April 8, 2025
E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected April 8, 2025
E
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · corrected April 8, 2025
D
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Environmental Deficiencies · F919 · corrected April 8, 2025
D
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F842 · corrected April 8, 2025
D
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F801 · corrected April 8, 2025
D
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F679 · corrected April 8, 2025
D
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F658 · corrected April 8, 2025
July 30, 2024 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected September 4, 2024
April 19, 2024 — 10 citations
F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected May 12, 2024
F
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F801 · corrected May 12, 2024
E
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F658 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F641 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F584 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
Allow resident to participate in the development and implementation of his or her person-centered plan of care.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F553 · corrected May 12, 2024
D
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F552 · corrected May 12, 2024
November 29, 2023 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
E
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected October 11, 2023
November 10, 2021 — 19 citations (includes serious)
K
Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.
Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety · Pattern · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F700 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Environmental Deficiencies · F921 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Infection Control Deficiencies · F882 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Administration Deficiencies · F835 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Have a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F813 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F726 · corrected March 4, 2022
F
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · F725 · corrected March 4, 2022
E
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F760 · corrected March 4, 2022
E
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F759 · corrected March 4, 2022
E
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F658 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · F943 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F802 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F693 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F690 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F657 · corrected March 4, 2022
D
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F583 · corrected March 4, 2022

Source: CMS Health Deficiencies dataset (data as of October 1, 2026); full inspection narratives on Medicare Care Compare

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