CMS F-tag

F605: Abuse, neglect & exploitation

Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function. Cited 716 times at 707 nursing homes in the last three inspection cycles.

#97 of 242 tags2% caused harm49 statesLatest survey Jan 22, 2026

How F605 shows up in inspections

F-TAGF605#97 of 242 tagsOccasionally cited

How serious it usually is

  • Immediate jeopardyJ1.5%11
  • Actual harmG0.8%6
  • No actual harmD · E · F97.5%698
  • Minimal harmB0.1%1

2% of F605 citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy. Nationally, about 5% of all citations do.

By the numbers

  • 716Citations
  • 707Facilities cited5% of rated nursing homes

Citations by survey year

  • 20181
  • 20192
  • 20212
  • 20224
  • 202312
  • 202426
  • 2025661
  • 20268

Partial years reflect the rolling three-cycle window, not a change in enforcement.

Where F605 is cited most

Survey agencies differ in what they emphasize, so compare a facility with its own state. Shares are the portion of each state’s rated nursing homes with at least one F605 citation.

States by share of facilities cited

  • California12% of homes146 citations · 139 of 1,154 facilities
  • Pennsylvania9% of homes58 citations · 58 of 653 facilities
  • Ohio4% of homes37 citations · 37 of 911 facilities
  • Minnesota9% of homes32 citations · 31 of 337 facilities
  • Washington16% of homes31 citations · 31 of 192 facilities
  • Kansas10% of homes30 citations · 30 of 294 facilities
  • Illinois4% of homes29 citations · 28 of 665 facilities
  • Michigan6% of homes27 citations · 27 of 420 facilities
  • Texas2% of homes26 citations · 26 of 1,167 facilities
  • Indiana5% of homes23 citations · 23 of 504 facilities

Top 10 of 49 states. Every state page lists its most-cited tags.

Facilities cited most often

  1. Community Care CenterDuarte, CA · Report card2 F6051 with harm
  2. Duquoin Nursing & RehabDu Quoin, IL · Report card2 F6051 with harm
  3. Artesia Palms Care CenterArtesia, CA · Report card2 F605No harm
  4. Avalon Villa Care CenterLos Angeles, CA · Report card2 F605No harm
  5. Ararat Nursing FacilityMission Hills, CA · Report card2 F605No harm
  6. Herman Health Care CenterSan Jose, CA · Report card2 F605No harm
  7. North Long Beach Post AcuteLong Beach, CA · Report card2 F605No harm
  8. Valley Vista Nursing and Transitional Care LLCNorth Hollywood, CA · Report card2 F605No harm
  9. Valley View Manor HccLamberton, MN · Report card2 F605No harm
  10. Axiom Healthcare of West FrankfortWest Frankfort, IL · Report card1 F6051 with harm
  11. Ashley Healthcare CenterAshley, MI · Report card1 F6051 with harm
  12. Corewell Health Rehabilitation & Nursing Center -Stevensville, MI · Report card1 F6051 with harm
  13. Idaho State Veterans Home - BoiseBoise, ID · Report card1 F6051 with harm
  14. Jasper County NhBay Springs, MS · Report card1 F6051 with harm
  15. Lancaster Health ServicesLancaster, WI · Report card1 F6051 with harm

What to ask a facility about a F605 citation

  1. What exactly did the surveyor find, and on what date? The report card shows the date and the severity letter.
  2. What was the plan of correction, and was it accepted by the state on the first submission?
  3. Has the same tag been cited in more than one cycle? Repeat citations matter more than a single one.
  4. If the letter was G or higher: what happened to the resident, and what changed in staffing or process?

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, Nursing Home Health Citations, current three inspection cycles, most recent survey Jan 22, 2026. Counts are citations unless labeled facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What is F605 in a nursing home inspection?
F605 is the CMS F-tag for the requirement "Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function." (Abuse, neglect & exploitation). Surveyors cite it when a facility is found out of compliance with that regulation during a standard survey or complaint investigation.
How common is F605?
F605 was cited 716 times at 707 facilities (5% of rated nursing homes) in the last three inspection cycles, ranking #97 of 242 tags. 17 of those citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
Does a F605 citation mean the facility is unsafe?
Not on its own. Read the scope and severity letter: D through F means no actual harm was found, G through I means a resident was harmed, and J through L means immediate jeopardy. Ask the facility what was cited, what was corrected, and when.

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