Lake Balboa Care Center
16955 Vanowen Street · Van Nuys, CA · 91406 · 8183430700
50 certified beds For profit - Corporation Chain: The Ensign Group
Why this verdict
- Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
- Staffing hours comfortably above national benchmarks.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
The composite number cleared 75 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 | 4.68 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.86 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.98 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 33% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (28 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · E April 12, 2026
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E April 12, 2026
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E April 12, 2026
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D April 12, 2026
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D April 12, 2026
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D April 12, 2026
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D April 12, 2026
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E April 12, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Infection Control
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No harm found · B April 12, 2026
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Corrected May 4, 2026 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · E March 12, 2026 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected April 3, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E March 12, 2026 · found via complaint
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected April 3, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026 · found via complaint
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Corrected April 3, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · E March 12, 2026 · found via complaint
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected April 3, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D January 26, 2026 · found via complaint
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Corrected February 11, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D December 5, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected December 18, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D March 30, 2025
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected April 8, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 30, 2025
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Corrected April 8, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 30, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Corrected April 8, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D March 30, 2025
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected April 8, 2025 · Infection Control
-
No harm found · B March 30, 2025
Provide rooms that are at least 80 square feet per resident in multiple rooms and 100 square feet for single resident rooms.
Corrected April 8, 2025 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D December 18, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected January 10, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D December 13, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected January 21, 2025 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D March 21, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected April 10, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 21, 2024
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected April 10, 2024 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 21, 2024
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 April 10, 2024 · Resident Rights
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 056180 · certified since May 1, 1972. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.