Avalon Healthcare Bellingham
A nursing home in Bellingham, Washington 98225
3121 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham, Washington 98225. (360) 734-6760.
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The short answer
Record last released by CMS on Oct 28, 2026.
- 5of 5 CMS’s overall rating
- 10 health citations at the latest inspection cycle Washington average: 15.7
- 4.19 nurse hours per resident per day Washington average: 4.42
- 1 fine in the last three years (needs attention)
Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.
What these words mean7
- Star ratings
- CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
- Inspection (survey)
- A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
- Deficiency, citation, violation
- What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
- Scope and severity (A to L)
- CMS grades each nursing home deficiency with a letter. A to C: no actual harm, with potential for minimal harm. D to F: no actual harm, but potential for more. G to I: actual harm. J to L: immediate jeopardy. Within each band, the letter rises as more residents were affected or could be: one or a few, a pattern, or widespread. Source: CMS, nursing home scope and severity grid (State Operations Manual, chapter 7).
- Nurse staffing hours
- The hours registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and nurse aides worked, per resident per day, from the payroll records each home sends CMS. Source: CMS, Payroll-Based Journal.
- Fines and payment denials
- A fine (civil money penalty) is money CMS makes a nursing home pay when it falls short of federal rules. A payment denial means Medicare and Medicaid stop paying for new admissions until the home meets the rules again. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.430 and 488.417.
- Capacity
- The most people the licence or certification lets the place care for at once: residents, children, beds or apartments, as the state counts them. It isn’t how many are there now. Source: Each state’s licensing agency.
What did inspectors find?
10 health citations at the latest inspection cycle
The Washington average is 15.7.
Last standard inspection Dec 5, 2025.
Most serious in three years: actual harm (G), at a complaint inspection on Apr 24, 2025
CMS, Provider Information, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
When those citations happened
29 citations in 7 months of the last 36. Last cited Dec 2025. Most serious: actual harm (G). The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Dec | |||||||||||
| 2024 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2025 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| 2026 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov |
Hover or focus a month to read it.
Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.
All 29 citations in the last three years
Grouped by inspection, newest first. Each carries CMS grades each nursing home deficiency with a letter. A to C: no actual harm, with potential for minimal harm. D to F: no actual harm, but potential for more. G to I: actual harm. J to L: immediate jeopardy. Within each band, the letter rises as more residents were affected or could be: one or a few, a pattern, or widespread. Source: CMS, nursing home scope and severity grid (State Operations Manual, chapter 7)., from A, the least serious, to L, the most. 7 came from complaint inspections.
CMS, Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
Dec 5, 2025: standard inspection10 citations
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Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident’s ability to function.
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Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident’s most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
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Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
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Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
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Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
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Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member’s vaccination status.
Apr 24, 2025: complaint inspection1 citation
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Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Jan 13, 2025: complaint inspection1 citation
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Immediately tell the resident, the resident’s doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Dec 6, 2024: standard inspection6 citations
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Give the resident’s representative the ability to exercise the resident’s rights.
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Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident’s needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
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Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
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Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
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Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Sep 3, 2024: complaint inspection3 citations
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Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
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Keep residents’ personal and medical records private and confidential.
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Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Mar 25, 2024: complaint inspection1 citation
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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.
Jan 11, 2024: standard inspection6 citations
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Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
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Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
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Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
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Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
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Provide or get specialized rehabilitative services as required for a resident.
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Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.
Jan 11, 2024: standard and complaint inspection1 citation
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Let each resident or the resident’s legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident’s records.
Is it certified, and in good standing?
- Certified for Medicare and Medicaid since Mar 1, 1986.
- Not on CMS’s special focus list.
- No abuse icon from CMS.
- No change of ownership in the last 12 months.
- CMS lists its ownership as for profit, corporation.
- 105 certified beds.
CMS, Provider Information. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
Has it been fined or penalized?
- 1 fine in the last three years, $32,298 in all.
- No Medicare payment denials in the last three years.
- 7 citations in the last three years came from complaint inspections.
CMS, Penalties and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Date | Kind | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 24, 2025 | Fine | $32,298 |
Who does the caring?
4.19 nurse hours per resident per day
The Washington average is 4.42.
CMS publishes staffing about four months after the fact.
CMS, Provider Information and State and US Averages. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Measure | This home | Washington average |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse hours per resident per day | 4.19 | 4.42 |
| Of which registered nurses | 0.94 | 0.99 |
| At weekends | 3.64 | 3.82 |
| Nursing staff turnover | 48.9% | 43.9% |
| Registered nurse turnover | 36.4% | 43.8% |
| Administrators who left | 0 | Not given |
Who owns it?
- Avalon Holdco Equities, L.L.C. owns 100% directly since Apr 15, 2026.
- Avalon Health Care Management Inc. and Avalon Holding Inc. run it.
- 18 owners or officers are people: Spencer Kirton (owns a share through other companies, 33.33%); Byron A Kirton (owns a share through other companies, 33.33%); Hyrum Kirton (owns a share through other companies, 33.33%); Melissa J Nelson (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Melissa J Nelson (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Robert D Woltil (on the governing body (managing control)); Spencer Kirton (on the governing body (managing control)); Spencer Kirton (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Byron A Kirton (on the governing body (managing control)); Byron A Kirton (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Hyrum Kirton (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Hyrum Kirton (on the governing body (managing control)); Hyrum Kirton (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); Allen L Johnson (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Allen L Johnson (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)); David E Dangerfield (on the governing body (managing control)); Alan B Hash (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Alan B Hash (additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home)).
- Part of Avalon Health Care (16 homes in CMS’s data).
- No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
- No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
CMS, All Owners. Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly.
CMS, Provider Information. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Organisation | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avalon Holdco Equities, L.L.C. | Owns a share directly | 100% | Apr 15, 2026 |
| Avalon Health Care Inc. | Owns a share through other companies | 100% | Mar 17, 2025 |
| Avalon Holding Inc. | Owns a share through other companies | 100% | Apr 15, 2026 |
| Hyrum A Kirton Individual Tr | Owns a share through other companies | 33.33% | Oct 1, 2025 |
| Spencer K Kirton Individual Tr | Owns a share through other companies | 33.33% | Oct 1, 2025 |
| The Byron A Kirton Individual Tr | Owns a share through other companies | 26.67% | Oct 1, 2025 |
| K-Team LLC | Owns a share through other companies | 6.67% | Oct 1, 2025 |
| An organisation CMS lists without a name | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Mar 17, 2025 | |
| The Byron A Kirton Individual Tr | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Oct 1, 2025 | |
| Avalon Health Care Management Inc. | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | Aug 1, 2024 | |
| Avalon Health Care Management Inc. | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Mar 30, 2026 | |
| Avalon Holdco Equities, L.L.C. | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Apr 15, 2026 | |
| Hyrum A Kirton Individual Tr | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Oct 1, 2025 | |
| Avalon Health Care Inc. | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Aug 1, 2024 | |
| Avalon Real Estate LLC | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Mar 17, 2025 | |
| K-Team LLC | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Oct 1, 2025 | |
| Peacehealth | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Mar 17, 2025 | |
| Spencer K Kirton Individual Tr | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Oct 1, 2025 | |
| Avalon Holding Inc. | Runs it (operational or managerial control) | Mar 17, 2025 | |
| Avalon Holding Inc. | Additional disclosable party (controls, leases property to, or provides services to the home) | Aug 1, 2024 |
How do residents fare?
- CMS rates its quality measures 5 of 5 (Washington average 4.1).
CMS, Provider Information and State and US Averages. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Measure | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall rating | 5 of 5 |
| Health inspections | 4 of 5 |
| Staffing | 3 of 5 |
| Quality measures | 5 of 5 |
How does it compare nearby?
- Among the 12 nearest homes, within 25.3 miles, this one had the 9th most health citations at the latest inspection cycle (10; the middle value was 14).
CMS, Provider Information. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.
| Place | Miles away | Citations, latest cycle |
|---|---|---|
| Avalon Healthcare Bellingham This nursing home | 10 | |
| Alderwood Park Health and Rehab of Cascadia | 1.5 | 7 |
| Rock Hill Health & Rehabilitation | 1.6 | 28 |
| North Cascades Health and Rehabilitation | 3.1 | 41 |
| Mt Baker Care Center | 4.1 | 7 |
| Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia | 4.3 | 14 |
| Christian Health Care Center | 13.2 | 2 |
| Anacortes Health and Rehabilitation | 19.8 | 29 |
| Stafholt Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia | 20.2 | 12 |
| Life Care Center of Skagit Valley | 21.1 | 14 |
| Life Care Center of Mount Vernon | 24.8 | 22 |
| Mira Vista Care Center | 25.3 | 16 |
What the record doesn’t say
- Complaints that didn’t lead to a citation aren’t published.
- Inspections reach CMS’s data about six weeks after they happen, and staffing about four months after.
- CMS publishes the inspectors’ full written findings in a separate monthly file, which isn’t loaded yet.
- Fines and Medicare payment denials are the only enforcement CMS publishes; state licence actions aren’t included.
Sources
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Provider Information (4pq5-n9py).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Health Deficiencies (r5ix-sfxw).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Penalties (g6vv-u9sr).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, All Owners (afe44b85-cc6d-40d7-b5df-00ae8910d1d2).
Checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
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Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, State and US Averages (xcdc-v8bm).
Released Oct 28, 2026 and checked Nov 5, 2026. Updated monthly. Public domain (U.S. Government work).
If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.
This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.
From the home
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Replies
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Paid listing
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