The most serious citations on this record
Every nursing-home citation carries a scope-and-severity grade from A (least serious) to L (most serious). The five highest-graded citations at Novato Healthcare Center are:
F-0600 · July 4, 2026 · Grade G — Actual harm
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Found during a complaint investigation. Status: Deficient, Provider has date of correction · correction date July 29, 2026
F-0760 · September 8, 2025 · Grade G — Actual harm
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Found during a complaint investigation. Status: Deficient, Provider has date of correction · correction date October 7, 2025
F-0600 · April 25, 2025 · Grade G — Actual harm
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Found during a complaint investigation. Status: Deficient, Provider has date of correction · correction date May 18, 2025
F-0689 · September 5, 2023 · Grade G — Actual harm
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Found during a complaint investigation. Status: Deficient, Provider has date of correction · correction date October 23, 2023
F-0732 · July 30, 2026 · Grade F — Potential for more than minimal harm
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Found during a complaint investigation. Status: Deficient, Provider has date of correction · correction date August 6, 2026
What surveyors cited, theme by theme
Grouping the citations by subject shows whether a home's problems are isolated or concentrated in one part of care. At Novato Healthcare Center, 16 subject areas appear across health and fire-safety inspections.
Quality of life and daily care
31 citations between April 23, 2021 and July 22, 2026. The most serious was graded G — actual harm, affecting one or a very small number of residents. Surveyors found that a resident was actually harmed by the failure, though it was not classed as immediate jeopardy. 17 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 31 citations show a recorded correction date.
This group covers the basics of daily care — help with eating, bathing, toileting, repositioning, and timely treatment. Repeated citations here often match what families notice first: call lights unanswered, soiled briefs, missed care.
F-0689 · September 5, 2023 · Grade G — Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
F-0688 · July 4, 2026 · Grade E — 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.
F-0677 · July 9, 2025 · Grade E — Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation
18 citations between April 23, 2021 and July 31, 2026. The most serious was graded G (actual harm). 17 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 18 citations show a recorded correction date.
These citations go to the core duty to protect residents. Ask how the home screens and trains staff, how allegations are investigated, and whether the same staff or unit appears in more than one report.
F-0600 · July 4, 2026 · Grade G — Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
F-0600 · April 25, 2025 · Grade G — Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
F-0607 · May 14, 2025 · Grade E — Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Medication and pharmacy services
9 citations between April 23, 2021 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded G (actual harm). 4 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 9 citations show a recorded correction date.
Medication citations can involve wrong doses, unnecessary drugs, or poor monitoring. Ask for the medication administration record and whether a pharmacist reviewed the resident's drug regimen each month.
F-0760 · September 8, 2025 · Grade G — Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
F-0760 · May 19, 2025 · Grade F — Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
F-0759 · November 13, 2025 · Grade E — Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Assessments and care planning
13 citations between April 23, 2021 and April 16, 2026. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). 8 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 13 citations show a recorded correction date.
Care-plan citations mean the written plan did not match the resident's known risks. Ask whether the care plan changed after each fall, wound, infection, or hospital return — or whether the same plan stayed in place while the resident declined.
F-0658 · February 24, 2025 · Grade F — Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
F-0655 · May 14, 2025 · Grade E — Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
F-0656 · April 23, 2021 · Grade E — Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Fire, smoke, and emergency safety
13 citations between April 23, 2021 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 13 citations show a recorded correction date.
Life-safety citations cover alarms, sprinklers, exits, and evacuation readiness. Ask for the date each item was corrected and whether the local fire authority re-inspected.
K-0342 · November 13, 2025 · Grade F — Have a complete alarm system manually initiated and initiated by fire sprinkler system connection.
K-0321 · January 11, 2024 · Grade E — Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
K-0343 · April 23, 2021 · Grade E — Have a fire alarm with audible and visual signals that transmits the alarm automatically to notify emergency forces in event of fire.
Fire, smoke, and emergency safety
13 citations between April 23, 2021 and January 11, 2024. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 13 citations show a recorded correction date.
Life-safety citations cover alarms, sprinklers, exits, and evacuation readiness. Ask for the date each item was corrected and whether the local fire authority re-inspected.
E-0006 · January 11, 2024 · Grade F — Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach.
E-0022 · January 11, 2024 · Grade F — Establish policies and procedures for sheltering.
E-0041 · January 11, 2024 · Grade F — Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems
7 citations between April 23, 2021 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 7 citations show a recorded correction date.
Ask the facility what this citation required it to change, when the correction was verified, and what monitoring is in place so the same failure does not recur.
K-0918 · January 11, 2024 · Grade F — Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
K-0920 · January 11, 2024 · Grade E — Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
K-0923 · April 23, 2021 · Grade E — Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Physical environment and safety
5 citations between May 14, 2025 and June 17, 2026. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). 3 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 5 citations show a recorded correction date.
Environmental citations cover the building itself — safe water temperatures, clean and working equipment, hazard-free spaces. Ask what was repaired, when, and what checks are in place now.
F-0925 · June 17, 2026 · Grade F — Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
F-0919 · July 9, 2025 · Grade E — Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
F-0926 · May 14, 2025 · Grade E — Have policies on smoking.
Food, nutrition, and hydration
5 citations between April 23, 2021 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 5 citations show a recorded correction date.
Nutrition failures connect directly to weight loss, dehydration, and slow wound healing. Ask for weight records, intake logs, and whether a dietitian reviewed the resident after any decline.
F-0802 · November 13, 2025 · Grade F — Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
F-0804 · November 13, 2025 · Grade F — Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
F-0812 · November 13, 2025 · Grade F — Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nursing and Physician Services
4 citations between April 23, 2021 and July 30, 2026. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). 2 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 4 citations show a recorded correction date.
Ask the facility what this citation required it to change, when the correction was verified, and what monitoring is in place so the same failure does not recur.
F-0732 · July 30, 2026 · Grade F — Post nurse staffing information every day.
F-0725 · May 19, 2025 · Grade F — Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
F-0725 · April 23, 2021 · Grade E — Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Administration and leadership
4 citations between April 23, 2021 and July 18, 2025. The most serious was graded F (potential for more than minimal harm). 3 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 4 citations show a recorded correction date.
Administrative citations suggest the problem sits with management systems, not one staff member. Ask who is responsible for quality oversight and what the home's own quality committee changed afterward.
F-0895 · July 18, 2025 · Grade F — Have a Compliance and Ethics Program.
F-0940 · May 19, 2025 · Grade F — Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
F-0838 · February 24, 2025 · Grade F — Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
Resident rights
15 citations between April 23, 2021 and June 17, 2026. The most serious was graded E (potential for more than minimal harm). 7 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 15 citations show a recorded correction date.
Rights citations cover dignity, choice, privacy, grievances, and being told about changes in condition or care. Ask how the home notifies family of changes and how grievances are logged and answered.
F-0550 · November 13, 2025 · Grade E — Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
F-0578 · November 13, 2025 · Grade E — Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
F-0550 · April 23, 2021 · Grade E — Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Infection prevention and control
2 citations between April 23, 2021 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded E (potential for more than minimal harm). 1 of these citations came out of complaint investigations. Correction record: 2 citations show a recorded correction date.
Infection citations matter because infections are a leading cause of hospital transfer and death in nursing homes. Families should ask how the home tracks infections, isolates sick residents, and tells families when an outbreak starts.
F-0880 · November 13, 2025 · Grade E — Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
F-0880 · April 23, 2021 · Grade E — Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress
1 citation between November 13, 2025 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded E (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 1 citation shows a recorded correction date.
Ask the facility what this citation required it to change, when the correction was verified, and what monitoring is in place so the same failure does not recur.
K-0293 · November 13, 2025 · Grade E — Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Construction
2 citations between April 23, 2021 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded D (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 2 citations show a recorded correction date.
Ask the facility what this citation required it to change, when the correction was verified, and what monitoring is in place so the same failure does not recur.
K-0161 · November 13, 2025 · Grade D — Use approved construction type or materials.
K-0161 · April 23, 2021 · Grade D — Use approved construction type or materials.
Miscellaneous
2 citations between January 11, 2024 and November 13, 2025. The most serious was graded D (potential for more than minimal harm). Correction record: 2 citations show a recorded correction date.
Ask the facility what this citation required it to change, when the correction was verified, and what monitoring is in place so the same failure does not recur.
K-0711 · November 13, 2025 · Grade D — Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
K-0741 · January 11, 2024 · Grade D — Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
How to read the severity grades
CMS grades combine how many residents were affected with how much harm occurred. Grades J–L are immediate jeopardy: a situation that caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury or death. Grades G–I mean a resident was actually harmed. Grades D–F mean no harm was found but the failure could have caused more than minimal harm, and A–C carry only minimal-harm potential. The second dimension matters too: the grade also tells you whether surveyors saw an isolated case, a pattern, or a facility-wide problem.
Survey and penalty timeline
Novato Healthcare Center appears in CMS data on 39 survey dates between April 23, 2021 and July 31, 2026. Complaint surveys happen because someone reported a problem; standard surveys are the routine inspections every home receives.
July 31, 2026
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 30, 2026
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 22, 2026
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 4, 2026
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade G (actual harm)
June 17, 2026
Complaint health survey — 5 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
June 4, 2026
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
May 6, 2026
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
April 16, 2026
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
March 25, 2026
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
December 31, 2025
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
December 3, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
November 20, 2025
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
November 13, 2025
Health survey including complaint investigations — 19 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
November 13, 2025
Fire-safety survey — 10 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
September 8, 2025
Complaint health survey — 3 citations, worst grade G (actual harm)
August 28, 2025
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
August 20, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
August 8, 2025
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 18, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 9, 2025
Complaint health survey — 3 citations, worst grade E (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 3, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
May 19, 2025
Complaint health survey — 4 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
May 14, 2025
Complaint health survey — 5 citations, worst grade E (potential for more than minimal harm)
May 1, 2025
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
April 25, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade G (actual harm)
April 23, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
March 5, 2025
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
February 24, 2025
Complaint health survey — 2 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
January 9, 2025
Complaint health survey — 3 citations, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
September 5, 2024
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
September 4, 2024
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade E (potential for more than minimal harm)
July 17, 2024
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
January 11, 2024
Standard health survey — 7 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
January 11, 2024
Fire-safety survey — 20 citations, worst grade F (potential for more than minimal harm)
October 25, 2023
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade D (potential for more than minimal harm)
October 9, 2023
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade E (potential for more than minimal harm)
September 5, 2023
Complaint health survey — 1 citation, worst grade G (actual harm)
April 23, 2021
Standard health survey — 20 citations, worst grade E (potential for more than minimal harm)
April 23, 2021
Fire-safety survey — 8 citations, worst grade E (potential for more than minimal harm)
Penalties imposed
August 8, 2025 — Fine of $17,624
April 23, 2025 — Fine of $72,864
April 23, 2025 — Payment denial · Medicare/Medicaid payments denied for 70 days from May 23, 2025
Payment denials are the stronger federal sanction: CMS stops paying for new admissions until the home corrects the problems. Novato Healthcare Center has 1 denial period on record totalling 70 days.
How Novato Healthcare Center compares with peer homes
Raw citation counts mean more in context. The table below compares Novato Healthcare Center with the median reviewed facility in Marin County (4 homes in this research set) and across California (350 homes), using the same CMS data. On health citations alone, Novato Healthcare Center sits above 100% of its reviewed county peers — near the top of the county for citation volume.
Measure
This home
Marin Co. median
California median
Health citations on record
106
64
74
Citations from complaint investigations
62
28
27
Citations at actual-harm level or worse
4
4
2
Immediate-jeopardy citations
0
0
0
Total fines in CMS penalty records
$90,488
$98,788
$43,467
Penalty records (fines + payment denials)
3
3
2
What families should ask Novato Healthcare Center
- Ask why CMS flags Novato Healthcare Center with its abuse icon, which citations produced the flag, and what staffing or supervision changes followed.
- Ask for the plan of correction and follow-up monitoring for the quality of life and daily care citations — most recently F-0689 on September 5, 2023 — and the records showing the fix held.
- Ask for the plan of correction and follow-up monitoring for the freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation citations — most recently F-0600 on April 25, 2025 — and the records showing the fix held.
- Ask for the plan of correction and follow-up monitoring for the medication and pharmacy services citations — most recently F-0760 on September 8, 2025 — and the records showing the fix held.
- Ask for the plan of correction and follow-up monitoring for the assessments and care planning citations — most recently F-0658 on February 24, 2025 — and the records showing the fix held.
- Ask what conduct led to the fines — CMS records 2 totalling $90,488, the most recent dated August 8, 2025 — and what changed afterward.
- What changed in the resident's condition, and when did staff at Novato Healthcare Center first document the change?
- Were recent complaint-related citations at Novato Healthcare Center connected to the same kind of issue your family noticed?
Records to preserve
Connect this record to what your family saw
A citation record is context. The warning sign your family noticed is the starting point for a resident-specific review — match the two, then preserve the records listed above. Start with how facility research works.
Warning sign
Bed sores
Warning sign
Falls
Warning sign
Bruises
Warning sign
Weight loss
Facility research
Inspection deficiencies
Facility research
Civil penalties
Facility research
Abuse citations
Facility research
Complaint surveys
CMS facility facts
CMS certification number
555844
Legal business name
NOVATO HEALTHCARE CENTER LLC
Ownership type
For profit - Individual
Provider type
Medicare and Medicaid
First approved for Medicare/Medicaid
October 31, 2007
Chain name
Not listed
Certified beds
181
Average residents per day
166.4
Overall CMS rating
1 star
Health inspection rating
1 star
Staffing rating
1 star
Reported nurse staffing hours per resident day
Not listed
Total nursing staff turnover
Not listed
Public records are a starting point, not a conclusion
This profile of Novato Healthcare Center uses official CMS provider data as a research starting point. It does not state that Novato Healthcare Center abused or neglected any resident. A citation, fine, or rating becomes meaningful only when it is compared with the resident's own chart, the facility's explanation, and source documents with dates and outcome status.
Citation and penalty detail on this page comes from the CMS Provider Data health-deficiency, fire-safety, and penalties datasets, pulled October 12, 2026. Figures describe the facility's public inspection record; they do not by themselves prove what happened to any individual resident.
Sources for Novato Healthcare Center
Senior Justice Help is a public-information and facility-research website. We are not a law firm, medical provider, government agency, or nursing home regulator. We may help families understand what kind of lawyer to contact or connect with legal resources, but this site does not provide legal or medical advice.
Editorial review
Written and editorially reviewed for family clarity
Written by: Senior Justice Help Editorial Team, Family questions and nursing home records research team
Pages are written for families, checked against public agency sources, and reviewed for clarity, sourcing, and overclaiming. The site does not provide medical advice or legal advice.