Sierra Vista Healthcare
- Reviewed By
Anthony C. Lanzone, Founding Partner
- Medicare has given Sierra Vista Healthcare Center an overall rating of three out of five stars.
- In 2022, federal inspectors issued an Immediate Jeopardy citation after finding widespread failures in food safety and nutritional management that placed all residents at risk of harm.
- In 2024, staff failed to supervise a resident with dementia and a history of wandering. As a result, he was left outdoors in 108-degree temperatures, resulting in second-degree burns throughout his body and acute kidney injury.
- The facility has more hospitalizations and a higher percentage of residents with pressure ulcers than national averages.
- Sierra Vista Healthcare Center has received 14 health citations, which is higher than the national average of 9.3.
Sierra Vista Healthcare Ratings and Reviews
Medicare currently gives Sierra Vista Healthcare Center an overall rating of three out of five stars. More specifically, the facility has received three stars for health inspections, four stars for staffing, and four stars for quality measures.
The data shows that residents receive an average of 4 hours and 16 minutes of nursing care per day, below California’s average of 4 hours and 32 minutes. Registered nurses provide just 28 minutes of care per resident daily, compared to the state average of 40 minutes. The facility’s nurse turnover rate is 35.5%, meaning just over one-third of nursing staff left during a 12-month period.
Several quality measures raise concerns. According to Medicare’s data, the facility has more hospitalizations among long-stay residents than the national average. Additionally, 7.3% of long-stay residents develop pressure ulcers, and 16.4% experienced a decline in their ability to walk independently.
Sierra Vista Healthcare has a 3.2-star rating on Yelp. Negative reviews from residents and loved ones report delayed medical intervention in an emergency, inadequate wound care, excessive medication use, stolen belongings, poor communication, and noisy and unsanitary conditions.
Penalties and Care Deficiencies at Sierra Vista Healthcare
Sierra Vista Healthcare Center has received 14 health citations in the last year, exceeding the national average of 9.3. The facility has also received five fire safety and emergency preparedness citations, which is slightly above the national average.
Inspection reports and complaint investigations provide a closer look at the issues behind these citations, including concerns involving nutrition, food safety, resident supervision, and living conditions at the facility.
September 2022 Immediate Jeopardy Citation
In September 2022, the facility received an Immediate Jeopardy citation—the most serious deficiency level recognized by federal regulators. Inspectors found widespread issues in food safety, sanitation, and dietary management, placing all 76 residents at risk of foodborne illness and malnutrition.
Inspectors identified expired food, dirty food preparation equipment, improper handwashing practices, unlabeled food items, and inaccurate cleaning records. Staff also failed to consistently follow recipes and adhere to residents’ dietary restrictions.
The investigation further found that three residents experienced severe, unplanned weight loss without timely intervention. One resident lost 21 pounds in three months, another lost 22 pounds in six months, and a third lost more than 13 pounds in three months. In each instance, the weight loss accounted for more than 10% of the resident’s body weight.
Although facility policies required staff to monitor food intake, meal records contained numerous blank entries, making it difficult for caregivers to determine whether residents were eating enough to maintain their health.
August 2024 Heat Exposure Incident
A complaint investigation in August 2024 resulted in a $12,048 fine after a resident with severe dementia and a known history of wandering was left unsupervised outside the facility during extreme heat.
According to the report, the resident wheeled himself into an outdoor garden area and remained there for an unknown period while temperatures reached 108 degrees Fahrenheit. He suffered second-degree burns to multiple areas of his body and developed an acute kidney injury, likely due to dehydration. The resident required hospitalization and weeks of ongoing wound care following the incident.
September 2024 Inspection Findings
A September 2024 inspection identified additional safety concerns. Inspectors found five full sharps containers—including one without a lid—stacked in a room accessible to all 91 residents. Residents could have easily accessed the containers and injured themselves.
Additionally, inspectors discovered oxygen concentrator filters covered in dirt, dust, and lint. The filters were found in units serving several residents with respiratory conditions. This issue had the potential to worsen breathing difficulties for these vulnerable residents.
California Nursing Homes Must Meet Important Care Standards
Nursing homes are responsible for providing residents with reasonably competent care in a safe and sanitary environment. Key responsibilities include monitoring residents’ health and responding promptly to changes, providing adequate nutrition and hydration, and administering medications properly. Facilities must also protect residents from foreseeable harm, such as preventable injuries, illnesses, abuse, and neglect.
Families trust nursing homes with these responsibilities when their loved one’s care needs exceed what they can safely provide at home. Residents often depend heavily on staff for assistance with daily activities, medical care, and personal safety, leaving little room for carelessness.
Our attorneys believe every elderly person deserves compassionate, attentive care. When facilities fail to meet that obligation, they must be held accountable for any resulting harm. If you suspect that care failures have caused preventable harm to your loved one in a California nursing home, our team is ready to take your call.
Speak With a California Nursing Home Abuse Attorney Today
You’re not alone in your fight against nursing home abuse or neglect. At Lanzone Morgan, LLP, we’ve dedicated our practice to advocating for elder abuse victims and their families, and we’re ready to do the same for you. With over $250 million recovered for people affected by mistreatment in nursing homes, we have what it takes to stand up to negligent facilities.
Whether you’re concerned about the care provided at Sierra Vista Healthcare Center or another facility, a member of our team is standing by to listen to your story and explain your options. Call 888-887-9777 or contact us online for a free consultation with a Fresno nursing home abuse lawyer today.
- Fact-Checked
This content has been legally reviewed and approved by nursing home abuse attorney, Anthony Lanzone. Anthony holds notable memberships with professional organizations including the American Association for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California.
VIEW SOURCES
Sierra Vista Healthcare. (n.d.). U.S. Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services. https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/555866/view-all/?state=CA
Sierra Vista Healthcare in California. (n.d.). ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nursing-homes/homes/h-555866/
- Fact-Checked
This content has been legally reviewed and approved by nursing home abuse attorney, Anthony Lanzone. Anthony holds notable memberships with professional organizations including the American Association for Justice and Consumer Attorneys of California.
VIEW SOURCES
Sierra Vista Healthcare. (n.d.). U.S. Centers For Medicare And Medicaid Services. https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/details/nursing-home/555866/view-all/?state=CA
Sierra Vista Healthcare in California. (n.d.). ProPublica. https://projects.propublica.org/nursing-homes/homes/h-555866/