CMS F-tag

F838: Administration

A facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are needed to care for residents. Cited 942 times at 883 nursing homes in the last three inspection cycles.

#83 of 242 tags1% caused harm53 statesLatest survey Jan 20, 2026

How F838 shows up in inspections

F-TAGF838#83 of 242 tagsOccasionally cited

How serious it usually is

  • Immediate jeopardyK · L0.4%4
  • Actual harmG0.3%3
  • No actual harmD · E · F82.9%781
  • Minimal harmB · C16.3%154

1% of F838 citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy. Nationally, about 5% of all citations do.

By the numbers

  • 942Citations
  • 883Facilities cited6% of rated nursing homes

Citations by survey year

  • 201812
  • 201953
  • 202026
  • 202163
  • 2022109
  • 2023180
  • 2024241
  • 2025256
  • 20262

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

Where F838 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 F838 citation.

States by share of facilities cited

  • California9% of homes118 citations · 108 of 1,154 facilities
  • Missouri14% of homes75 citations · 68 of 479 facilities
  • Ohio5% of homes53 citations · 50 of 911 facilities
  • New York8% of homes50 citations · 47 of 593 facilities
  • Massachusetts14% of homes48 citations · 46 of 338 facilities
  • Maryland20% of homes47 citations · 44 of 219 facilities
  • Pennsylvania6% of homes41 citations · 37 of 653 facilities
  • Texas3% of homes31 citations · 30 of 1,167 facilities
  • Minnesota8% of homes30 citations · 28 of 337 facilities
  • Illinois4% of homes25 citations · 24 of 665 facilities

Top 10 of 53 states. Every state page lists its most-cited tags.

Facilities cited most often

  1. Brier Oak on SunsetLos Angeles, CA · Report card3 F838No harm
  2. Santa Fe Post-AcuteVista, CA · Report card2 F8381 with harm
  3. Almond Vista HealthcareModesto, CA · Report card2 F838No harm
  4. Aspire Senior Living Pleasant HillPleasant Hill, MO · Report card2 F838No harm
  5. Aurora Health and RehabilitationRolla, MO · Report card2 F838No harm
  6. Avir at Tierra EsteEl Paso, TX · Report card2 F838No harm
  7. Axiom Gardens of NashvilleNashville, IL · Report card2 F838No harm
  8. Belle Care Nursing and Rehabilitation CenterTrenton, NJ · Report card2 F838No harm
  9. Belleview Valley Nursing HomeBelleview, MO · Report card2 F838No harm
  10. Brandon Woods of New BedfordNew Bedford, MA · Report card2 F838No harm
  11. Burlington Health and Rehabilitation CenterBurlington, WI · Report card2 F838No harm
  12. Brighton Rehabilitation and Wellness CenterBeaver, PA · Report card2 F838No harm
  13. Cape Cod Post Acute CareBrewster, MA · Report card2 F838No harm
  14. Capitol City Rehab and Healthcare CenterWashington, DC · Report card2 F838No harm
  15. Chandler Therapy & Living Center LLCChandler, OK · Report card2 F838No harm

What to ask a facility about a F838 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 20, 2026. Counts are citations unless labeled facilities.

Frequently asked questions

What is F838 in a nursing home inspection?
F838 is the CMS F-tag for the requirement "Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies." (Administration). Surveyors cite it when a facility is found out of compliance with that regulation during a standard survey or complaint investigation.
How common is F838?
F838 was cited 942 times at 883 facilities (6% of rated nursing homes) in the last three inspection cycles, ranking #83 of 242 tags. 7 of those citations involved actual harm or immediate jeopardy.
Does a F838 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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