Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
COLUMBIA BASIN HOSPITAL
EPHRATA, WA · 12 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey April 24, 2026
CMS Certification Number 50A181 · first certified August 1975
Ownership
Independently operated (no chain recorded by CMS) · Government - County
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within WA
36 citations — more than 64% 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 17 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 9.5. 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 6 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was April 2026. 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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2 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
22 of the 36 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)
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 36 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- 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-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0921 Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
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 | 36 |
| Median facility in WA | 31 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| February 2, 2024 | 8 |
| March 14, 2025 | 11 |
| April 24, 2026 | 17 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | 3 | 2026-04-24 |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | 3 | 2026-04-24 |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | 2 | 2026-04-24 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 2 | 2026-04-24 |
| E-0006 | Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach. | 2 | 2025-03-14 |
| E-0030 | List the names and contact information of those in the facility. | 2 | 2025-03-14 |
| K-0926 | Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk. | 2 | 2026-04-24 |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | 2 | 2026-04-24 |
What the citations cover
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 22
- Smoke Deficiencies 8
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 4
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 1
- Other 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 22 |
| Smoke Deficiencies | 8 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 4 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 1 |
| Construction Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
April 24, 2026 — 17 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0018 | Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0024 | Establish policies and procedures for volunteers. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0025 | Create arrangements with other facilities to receive patients. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0033 | Establish methods for sharing information. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0034 | Provide a means of sharing information on occupancy/needs. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0035 | Provide family notifications of emergency plan. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0036 | Establish emergency prep training and testing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (June 1, 2026) |
| K-0161 | Use approved construction type or materials. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 19, 2026) |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 8, 2026) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 14, 2026) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 14, 2026) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 28, 2026) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 15, 2026) |
| K-0926 | Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 14, 2026) |
March 14, 2025 — 11 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 1, 2025) |
| E-0006 | Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 1, 2025) |
| E-0018 | Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 1, 2025) |
| E-0026 | Establish roles under a Waiver declared by secretary. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 1, 2025) |
| E-0030 | List the names and contact information of those in the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 1, 2025) |
| E-0037 | Establish staff and initial training requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 1, 2025) |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 7, 2025) |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 13, 2025) |
| K-0346 | Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 25, 2025) |
| 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 (March 25, 2025) |
| K-0926 | Ensure that personnel concerned with handling of medical gases and cylinders are trained on the risk. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 10, 2025) |
February 2, 2024 — 8 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
| E-0006 | Conduct risk assessment and an All-Hazards approach. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
| E-0013 | Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
| E-0030 | List the names and contact information of those in the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 9, 2024) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 12, 2024) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.