Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
LAKE BALBOA CARE CENTER
VAN NUYS, CA · 50 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey April 12, 2026
CMS Certification Number 056180 · first certified May 1972
Ownership
Operated by THE ENSIGN GROUP · For profit - Corporation
- Ownership changed February 1, 2023 (change of ownership)from LAKE BALBOA HEALTH CARE, INC.
Position within CA
11 citations — more than 13% 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 2 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 4.5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens April 2027 — about 7 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was April 2026. 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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1 inspection-and-testing tag has 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.
Physical environment (health survey)
4 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 11 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
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 | 11 |
| Median facility in CA | 19 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| March 21, 2024 | 6 |
| March 30, 2025 | 3 |
| April 12, 2026 | 2 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | 2 | 2025-03-30 |
| K-0362 | Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke. | 1 | 2024-03-21 |
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | 1 | 2024-03-21 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 1 | 2026-04-12 |
| K-0346 | Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours. | 1 | 2024-03-21 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 1 | 2026-04-12 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 1 | 2025-03-30 |
| K-0351 | Install an approved automatic sprinkler system. | 1 | 2024-03-21 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 5
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 3
- Services Deficiencies 2
- Egress Deficiencies 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 5 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 3 |
| Services Deficiencies | 2 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
April 12, 2026 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 24, 2026) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 24, 2026) |
March 30, 2025 — 3 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2025) |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2025) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2025) |
March 21, 2024 — 6 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2024) |
| K-0346 | Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2024) |
| K-0351 | Install an approved automatic sprinkler system. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2024) |
| K-0362 | Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2024) |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2024) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 11, 2024) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.