The nursing home failed to provide proper pressure ulcer care and failed to prevent new pressure sores from developing. Cited April 2025 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 686 — 42 CFR §483.25(b) — S/S: G
Nursing home report
St. Francis of Bellingham
Registered name: Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
BELLINGHAM, WA · Medicare-certified · 105 beds
Needs attention
For-profitChain member
Data as of July 1, 2026
5 of 5 overall
St. Francis of Bellingham has an overall 5-star rating, with 4 stars for health inspections and staffing and 5 stars for quality measures. It reports 4.50 nurse staffing hours per resident per day versus the 4.1 federal benchmark, and it has had $32,298 in fines in the last 24 months with a recent federal penalty.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
4.5023 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: December 5, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $32,298recent federal penalty
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 4.5023.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 1.21
- Licensed practical nurses
- 0.80
- Nurse aides
- 2.50
- Weekend nursing
- 3.84
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 52%
Registered nurse turnover: 41%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
11.4%5.6%Improving
Residents with a fall causing major injury
10.6%2.2%Improving
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
1.3%3%Worsening
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0%0%No change
Residents who lost too much weight
0%2.3%Worsening
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
7.1%15.4%Worsening
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
—27.4%—
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
19%9.3%Improving
Short-stay residents newly given an antipsychotic
0%0%No change
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%0%No change
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
22.3%28.5%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
48.8%36.8%Improving
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—100%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
100%100%No change
Short-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—98%—
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
96.4%99.3%Improving
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited September 2024 — isolated incident, actual harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: G
The home failed to provide appropriate care to help a resident maintain or improve movement and mobility. Cited December 2025 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 688 — 42 CFR §483.25(c) — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to provide appropriate treatment and care according to residents' orders, preferences, and goals. Cited December 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 684 — 42 CFR §483.25 — S/S: E
The nursing home failed to make sure its activities program was led by a qualified professional. Cited December 2024 — limited pattern, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 680 — 42 CFR §483.24 — S/S: E
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing met or exceeded the federal recommendation.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 10 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $32,298 was recorded.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
Penalties & enforcement
On record with Medicare: 1 fine · $32,298 in total fines.
- $32,298
Federal fine
Apr 24, 2025
Operator & ownership
Recent ownership change · Aug 1, 2024
Now operated by Avalon Healthcare - Bellingham, previously St Francis of Bellingham.
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Chain
- Part of AVALON HEALTH CARE · 16 homes · 3.5 stars avg
- Occupancy
- 66.4 residents on an average day (63% of 105 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident council
- Medicare history
- Certified for 40 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.