Autumn Lake Healthcare at Birch Manor
7309 Second Avenue · Sykesville, MD · 21784 · 4107951100
118 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company 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 composite number cleared 70 points, but Recommended is gated: inspection record below the Recommended bar. That rule is part of the published method.
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
No red flags in the current CMS record. Genuinely good news — pair it with an in-person tour before deciding.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 4 of 5 Inspections: 3 of 5 Staffing: 3 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.46 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.47 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.10 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 33% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (85 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D November 20, 2025 · found via complaint
Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Corrected January 5, 2026 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · E June 11, 2025
Honor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 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 July 15, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 11, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Administration
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Potential for harm · E June 11, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025
Provide enough power supply for lighting all entrances and exits; equipment for fire detection and alarm systems, and extinguishers.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 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 July 15, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D June 11, 2025 · found via complaint
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · F June 11, 2025 · found via complaint
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E June 11, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected July 15, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E November 4, 2024 · found via complaint
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 December 6, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D November 4, 2024 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected December 6, 2024 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 215136 · certified since November 1, 1981. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.