F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
D

Failure to Timely Notify State Agency of Change in Administrator

Ceres Postacute CareCeres, California Survey Completed on 12-02-2025

Summary

The facility failed to notify the State Agency (SA) within ten days of a change in administrator (CHOA) that occurred on 11/13/2023. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the new administrator (ADM 1) assumed the role on that date, following the resignation of the previous administrator (ADM 2). Staff, including the DON, Medical Records Director, and Social Services Director, were aware of the change internally, but there was uncertainty and lack of knowledge regarding the external reporting requirements to the SA. The new administrator and the Vice President of Operations (VPO) both stated that the responsibility for reporting the change to the SA was understood, but neither could provide proof that the required notification was sent or received by the SA. A review of facility documents showed that the offer letter for ADM 1 was dated 11/13/2023, and the resignation letter from ADM 2 was effective 9/15/2023. The Applicant Individual Information (HS215A) form was completed and signed by ADM 1 on 12/30/2023, but there was no evidence of receipt by the SA. Both ADM 1 and the VPO stated that documents were mailed to the SA, but neither could provide proof of mailing or confirmation of receipt. Additionally, there was no facility policy or procedure for reporting changes of administrator to the regulatory authority. A review of the State Agency's Electronic Licensing Management System (ELMS) indicated that as of 12/11/2025, ADM 2 was still listed as the active administrator, with no end date, and the most recent CHOA application was pending as of 12/3/2025. There was no record of a CHOA application between 4/22/2022 and 12/3/2025. The California Code of Regulations requires written notification to the Department within ten days of a change in administrator, including the name and license number of the new administrator. The facility was unable to provide evidence that this requirement was met.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0844 citations
Failure to Notify State Agency of Changes in ADM and DON
E
F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
Short Summary

The facility did not submit required written notice to the State Agency when a new ADM and a new DON assumed their positions. The DON reported starting in the role recently and confirmed she had not filed the Centralized Applications Branch (CAB) application and had not been informed of CAB expectations, while the ADM believed the DON was responsible for the application. The ADM also stated he had been in his role for several months and believed the corporate office should have submitted the change-in-ADM application. State Agency database review showed no applications received for either position, delaying verification of the ADM and DON qualifications for oversight of clinical services for 109 residents.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Timely Report NHA Change and Maintain Assigned Administrator
D
F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
Short Summary

The facility failed to comply with disclosure of ownership and administrative change requirements by not notifying the State Agency when its NHA left and by not ensuring a qualified NHA was assigned for a two-day period. Written communications showed that the outgoing NHA informed the State Agency of his last day after the fact, and the State Agency then sought clarification from the facility’s VPO about who was acting as NHA. The VPO indicated he was acting as NHA but had been out ill, and review of the timeline confirmed there was no assigned NHA for two days. The DON later confirmed that the facility did not notify the State Agency at the time of the NHA change and did not have an NHA assigned during that period, constituting noncompliance with state requirements for licensee responsibility.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Timely Notify State Agency of DON Change
C
F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
Short Summary

The facility failed to timely notify the State Agency (SA) of a change in the DON position for a census of 85 residents. The DON began the role but the required change-of-DON application and written notice were not completed and mailed until weeks later, as confirmed by the DON’s and acting ADM’s interviews and the dated documents. The ADM reported being unaware of the required timeframe for notification, and SA records showed the DON application was received several days after it was mailed, delaying SA verification of the DON’s qualifications.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Notify State Agency of Administrator Changes
F
F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
Short Summary

The facility did not update the state survey agency regarding changes in its administrative leadership, including an interim Administrator who served for several months and the current Administrator. A review of the EIDC website showed that these administrators were not listed as required, and the current Administrator acknowledged that the facility had failed to report these changes. This non-compliance affected all residents and was identified during a complaint investigation.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Report Change in Medical Director
D
F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
Short Summary

The facility failed to notify the State agency when its Medical Director changed. Facility records showed one physician served as Medical Director, and the NHA later confirmed that a different physician had taken over as Medical Director months earlier without the required notification to the State agency.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Disclose Ownership Change to State Agency
D
F0844 F844: Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.
Short Summary

Failure to disclose ownership change to the State Agency: Facility records showed a sale agreement between the former owner and the new owner, but the facility did not have the required written notice documenting disclosure of ownership requirements at the time of the change. The Interim NHA confirmed the document was not available, and the findings were reviewed with the Interim NHA and DON at exit conference.

Inspection fine: $22,925
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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