Autumn Lake Healthcare at Ballenger Creek
347 Ballenger Drive · Frederick, MD · 21701 · 3016635181
130 certified beds For profit - Corporation Chain: Autumn Lake Healthcare
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
1 immediate-jeopardy citation in prior inspection cycles
Serious past findings — check whether the underlying problems were fixed and stayed fixed.
Cited under the freedom-from-abuse rule
Cited 1 time under F600 (freedom from abuse/neglect) below the actual-harm level — worth asking about on a tour.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 3 of 5 Quality measures: 4 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.77 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.59 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.46 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 36% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (63 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D November 20, 2025 · found via complaint
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Corrected January 16, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D November 20, 2025 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected January 16, 2026 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D November 20, 2025 · found via complaint
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected January 16, 2026 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D November 20, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Corrected January 16, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025 · found via complaint
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
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.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Ensure each resident must receive and the facility must provide necessary behavioral health care and services.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 30, 2025
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · F June 30, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 30, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · F June 30, 2025
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.
Corrected August 1, 2025 · Infection Control
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 215001 · certified since December 5, 1969. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.