How to Read a Nursing Home Inspection Report (And What to Worry About)

Inspection reports are public. You can (and should) read them before choosing a nursing home.

But they're confusing as hell. Hundreds of pages of bureaucratic language and codes.

Here's how to actually make sense of them—and what matters.

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Where to Find Inspection Reports

Go to Medicare.gov/care-compare

You'll see a list of deficiencies (violations) from the most recent inspection.

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Understanding Deficiency Levels

Not all violations are equal. They're rated by severity:

Level A-D: No Harm

Minor issues that didn't hurt anyone (yet). Paperwork errors, minor cleanliness issues.

Level E-F: Potential for Harm

Could cause problems if not fixed. Missing documentation, safety hazards.

Level G-I: Actual Harm

Someone was hurt. Medication errors, falls, infections, neglect.

Level J-L: Immediate Jeopardy

Life-threatening. Serious abuse, severe neglect, imminent danger.

What to worry about:

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Common Violations That Matter

1. Medication Errors (Common)

Is this serious? Depends. One missed dose = not great. Pattern of errors = dangerous.

2. Pressure Ulcers (Bedsores)

Is this serious? Yes. Bedsores mean residents aren't being turned/moved enough.

3. Falls

Is this serious? Yes. Falls can be deadly for elderly people.

4. Infection Control

Is this serious? Yes. Infections spread fast in nursing homes.

5. Dignity and Respect

Is this serious? Yes. This is abuse.

6. Food Safety

Is this serious? Moderately. Food poisoning is serious, but small violations are fixable.

7. Staffing Issues

Is this serious? Very. Understaffing causes all other problems.

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Red Flag Patterns

One violation? Not ideal, but it happens.

Watch for patterns:

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What "Plan of Correction" Means

When a facility gets cited, they must submit a "Plan of Correction"—how they'll fix the problem.

Look at this:

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Complaints vs. Standard Inspections

There are two types of inspections:

1. Standard Survey (Annual)

Happens once a year. Comprehensive review of everything.

2. Complaint Investigation

Happens when someone files a complaint. Inspectors show up unannounced.

Complaint investigations are more concerning. They mean someone reported a serious problem.

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How Facilities Game the System

Dirty secret: Facilities know when standard inspections are coming (roughly).

So they:

That's why:

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What Good Reports Look Like

Realistic expectations:

A good facility:

A bad facility:

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Other Things to Check

Staffing Data:

Fines and Penalties:

Recent Changes:

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The Bottom Line

Inspection reports tell you what inspectors found on one day.

They're helpful, but they're not the whole picture.

What to do:

Numbers matter. But so does what you see and feel when you walk through the doors.