Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
PUGET SOUND TRANSITIONAL CARE
DES MOINES, WA · 165 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey September 26, 2025
CMS Certification Number 505513 · first certified February 2004
Ownership
Operated by THE ENSIGN GROUP · For profit - Corporation
- Ownership changed August 1, 2023 (change of ownership)from STAFFORD HEALTHCARE SEATAC LLC
Position within WA
38 citations — more than 68% of the 193 certified nursing homes in WA. Compared within WA 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 12. With 4 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window is open now: September 2026 to December 2026. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was September 2025. Facilities in WA are typically surveyed 12–15 months after the last one (median 13), measured over 320 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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4 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
10 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)
5 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-0908 Keep all essential equipment working safely.
- 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.
- 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.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in WA, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the WA figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 38 |
| Median facility in WA | 31 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| May 19, 2023 | 22 |
| June 12, 2024 | 11 |
| August 27, 2025 | 3 |
| September 26, 2025 | 2 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | 3 | 2025-08-27 |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | 2 | 2025-08-27 |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | 2 | 2025-09-26 |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | 2 | 2024-06-12 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 2 | 2024-06-12 |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 2 | 2024-06-12 |
| E-0036 | Establish emergency prep training and testing. | 2 | 2024-06-12 |
| K-0374 | Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes. | 2 | 2024-06-12 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 14
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 10
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 4
- Services Deficiencies 4
- Other 6
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 14 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 10 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 4 |
| Services Deficiencies | 4 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 3 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 2 |
| Construction Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
September 26, 2025 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 9, 2025) |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 9, 2025) |
August 27, 2025 — 3 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 19, 2025) |
| 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 (September 19, 2025) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 19, 2025) |
June 12, 2024 — 11 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0015 | Address subsistence needs for staff and patients. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| E-0018 | Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| E-0030 | List the names and contact information of those in the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| E-0036 | Establish emergency prep training and testing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| K-0374 | Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 8, 2024) |
May 19, 2023 — 22 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| E-0018 | Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| E-0036 | Establish emergency prep training and testing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0100 | Meet other general requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 25, 2023) |
| K-0281 | Install proper backup exit lighting. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 25, 2023) |
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2023) |
| 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 (May 30, 2023) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 31, 2023) |
| K-0346 | Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 25, 2023) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 25, 2023) |
| K-0354 | Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 25, 2023) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0372 | Ensure smoke barriers are constructed to a 1 hour fire resistance rating. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0374 | Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0531 | Have elevators that firefighters can control in the event of a fire. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0541 | Install properly constructed and protected linen or trash chutes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0761 | To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
| K-0926 | Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 19, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.