Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Polaris Extended Care
ANCHORAGE, AK · 96 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey May 22, 2025
CMS Certification Number 025036 · first certified February 2013
Ownership
Operated by THE ENSIGN GROUP · For profit - Limited Liability company
- New ownershipOwnership changed March 1, 2025 (change of ownership)from PROVIDENCE HEALTH & SERVICES WASHINGTON
Position within AK
17 citations — more than 63% of the 20 certified nursing homes in AK. Compared within AK rather than nationally because which state a facility is in explains about 30% of the variation in citation counts between facilities, while bed count explains under 1%. State survey agencies differ far more than the buildings do. How this is calculated
The latest survey found 7 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window is open now: June 2026 to October 2026. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was May 2025. Nursing homes nationally are typically surveyed 12–17 months after the last one (median 14), measured over 19,385 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records. AK has too few recent surveys to measure on its own, so the national interval is used.
A range the record supports, not a prediction of a date. State agencies vary widely — from about 11 months in Pennsylvania to three years in Maryland. How the window is measured
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3 inspection-and-testing tags have been cited here at more than one survey. Nationally, that pattern is common: about three quarters of cited facilities have at least one repeated tag, and half of the facilities ever cited for sprinkler inspection and testing are cited for it again. A repeat is usually a recordkeeping gap rather than a new hazard.
Emergency preparedness
3 of the 17 citations on file are Emergency Preparedness E-tags. E-tags are cited under 42 CFR §483.73 and concern the emergency plan, training, drills, communications and supplies. Nationally about half of certified facilities have at least one. The Emergency Preparedness Index
Physical environment (health survey)
6 physical-environment citations on the health survey. Cited by the health surveyors under Appendix PP, not the Life Safety Code surveyor: equipment in safe operating condition, the call system, bed rails, pest control, hazards, the environment. Counted separately from the 17 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0689 Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0584 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.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in AK, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the AK figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 17 |
| Median facility in AK | 16 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| April 14, 2023 | 9 |
| July 19, 2024 | 1 |
| May 22, 2025 | 7 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 2 | 2025-05-22 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 2 | 2025-05-22 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 2 | 2025-05-22 |
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | 1 | 2024-07-19 |
| K-0293 | Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. | 1 | 2023-04-14 |
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | 1 | 2023-04-14 |
| E-0025 | Create arrangements with other facilities to receive patients. | 1 | 2025-05-22 |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | 1 | 2023-04-14 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 5
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 4
- Egress Deficiencies 3
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 3
- Other 2
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 5 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 4 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 3 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 3 |
| Services Deficiencies | 1 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
May 22, 2025 — 7 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0015 | Address subsistence needs for staff and patients. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
| E-0023 | Establish policies and procedures for medical documentation. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
| E-0025 | Create arrangements with other facilities to receive patients. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 6, 2025) |
July 19, 2024 — 1 citation
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (August 22, 2024) |
April 14, 2023 — 9 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0223 | Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0293 | Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0700 | Meet requirements for operating features, such as evacuation plans, fire drills, smoking regulations, draperies, decorations and the inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.