Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
NOVATO HEALTHCARE CENTER
NOVATO, CA · 181 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey November 13, 2025
CMS Certification Number 555844 · first certified October 2007
Ownership
Independently operated (no chain recorded by CMS) · For profit - Individual
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within CA
38 citations — more than 95% of the 1,165 certified nursing homes in CA. Compared within CA 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 10 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 14. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens November 2026 — about 2 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was November 2025. Facilities in CA are typically surveyed 12–18 months after the last one (median 14), measured over 1,766 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records.
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
13 of the 38 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)
14 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 38 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-0925 Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0908 Keep all essential equipment working safely.
- F-0919 Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
- F-0926 Have policies on smoking.
- 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 CA, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the CA figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 38 |
| Median facility in CA | 19 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| April 23, 2021 | 8 |
| January 11, 2024 | 20 |
| November 13, 2025 | 10 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 3 | 2025-11-13 |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | 3 | 2025-11-13 |
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | 2 | 2025-11-13 |
| E-0006 | Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach. | 2 | 2024-01-11 |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | 2 | 2024-01-11 |
| K-0919 | Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment. | 2 | 2025-11-13 |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | 2 | 2025-11-13 |
| K-0161 | Use approved construction type or materials. | 2 | 2025-11-13 |
What the citations cover
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 13
- Smoke Deficiencies 13
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 7
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 2
- Other 3
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 13 |
| Smoke Deficiencies | 13 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 7 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 2 |
| Construction Deficiencies | 2 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
November 13, 2025 — 10 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0161 | Use approved construction type or materials. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0293 | Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| 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 (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0342 | Have a complete alarm system manually initiated and initiated by fire sprinkler system connection. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0711 | Provide a written emergency evacuation plan. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0919 | Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (November 27, 2025) |
January 11, 2024 — 20 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0006 | Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0015 | Address subsistence needs for staff and patients. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0022 | Establish policies and procedures for sheltering. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0023 | Establish policies and procedures for medical documentation. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0026 | Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0032 | Provide primary/alternate means for communication. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0033 | Establish methods for sharing information. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0034 | Provide a means of sharing information on occupancy/needs. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0035 | Provide family notifications of emergency plan. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| 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 (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0741 | Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0919 | Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 15, 2024) |
April 23, 2021 — 8 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0006 | Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| E-0013 | Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| E-0024 | Establish policies and procedures for volunteers. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| K-0161 | Use approved construction type or materials. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| K-0343 | Have a fire alarm with audible and visual signals that transmits the alarm automatically to notify emergency forces in event of fire. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 15, 2021) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.