SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Sierra View Medical Center in Porterville, California, has a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice among nursing facilities. It ranks #462 out of 1155 in California, placing it in the top half, and #6 out of 16 in Tulare County, meaning there are only a few local options that are better. The facility is showing improvement, with reported issues decreasing from 8 in 2024 to 4 in 2025. Staffing is rated average with a 3 out of 5 stars and a turnover rate of 35%, which is lower than the state average, suggesting staff stability. Notably, there have been no fines, and the facility boasts more registered nurse coverage than 90% of California facilities, which is a significant strength. However, there are concerns, such as the failure to ensure the crash cart was inspected daily, potentially putting residents at risk during emergencies, and the lack of a qualified professional overseeing the activities program for over six months, which affected all residents. Additionally, there were instances where the head of residents’ beds were not elevated to the required levels during tube feedings, which is critical for their safety. Overall, while there are strengths, families should be aware of these significant weaknesses.
- Trust Score
- B
- In California
- #462/1155
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 35% turnover. Near California's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most California facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 109 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of California nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 19 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (35%)
13 points below California average of 48%
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
11pts below California avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 19 deficiencies on record
Apr 2025
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
d. During an observation and interview on 4/6/25 at 11:20 a.m. with Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 1 in Resident 6's room, Resident 6 was receiving a tube feeding via a feeding pump connected to Resi...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure their Policy and Procedure (P&P) titled, Medication Storage was followed when four of six sampled [facility name] Narcotic count che...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure pre-made food items were labeled with the use-by date and opened food items were labeled with the opened date. These f...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
2. During an observation on 4/6/25 at 11:00 a.m. outside of Resident 18's room, there was signage on his door indicating he was on contact precautions.
During a concurrent observation and interview o...
Read full inspector narrative →
Mar 2024
8 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0604
(Tag F0604)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to re-evaluate the need for a left-hand mitten (physical restraint used to prevent a person from scratching or pulling at life s...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure the head of bed was raised at least 35 degrees while receiving gastrostomy tube (g-tube - tube inserted directly into ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure physician's ordered medication was available for administration to one of 30 sampled residents (Resident 17). This fai...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0847
(Tag F0847)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the required language was written into signed arbitration agreements for two of 30 sampled residents (Resident 10 and Resident 12). ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0551
(Tag F0551)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure two of 30 sampled residents (Resident 2 and Resident 7) were...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure two of two sampled Respiratory Care Practitioners (RCP 1 and RCP 2) were competent to set up and manage respiratory ca...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
6. During an observation on 3/27/24 at 8:25 a.m. outside of Resident 20's room, LVN 4 did not perform hand hygiene before putting on gloves and going to Resident 20's bedside to administer medications...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the Crash Cart (emergency cart used to transport and store e...
Read full inspector narrative →
Oct 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to administer ordered medication for two of eight sampled residents (Resident 1, Resident 2). This failure had the potential for...
Read full inspector narrative →
Dec 2022
5 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to meet professional standards during medication administration when physician orders were not followed for two of five sampled ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure it was free from a medication error rate of five percent (%) or greater during the medication pass observation. The fa...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to implement infection control practices when Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 1 did not change her gloves and perform hand hygie...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0679
(Tag F0679)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a comprehensive activities assessment was conducted and activities care plan developed specific to the preferences of four of 33 sam...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0680
(Tag F0680)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure a qualified professional directed the activities program from 5/21/22 through the recertification survey, which concluded on 12/8/22...
Read full inspector narrative →
Nov 2022
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure one of three sampled residents (Resident 1) was treated with respect and dignity when Respiratory Technician (RT 1) co...
Read full inspector narrative →
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most California facilities.
- • 35% turnover. Below California's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 19 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Sierra View Medical Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within California, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Sierra View Medical Center Staffed?
CMS rates SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 35%, compared to the California average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Sierra View Medical Center?
State health inspectors documented 19 deficiencies at SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER during 2022 to 2025. These included: 19 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Sierra View Medical Center?
SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 35 certified beds and approximately 32 residents (about 91% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in PORTERVILLE, California.
How Does Sierra View Medical Center Compare to Other California Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in California, SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.2, staff turnover (35%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Sierra View Medical Center?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Sierra View Medical Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in California. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Sierra View Medical Center Stick Around?
SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 35%, which is about average for California nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Sierra View Medical Center Ever Fined?
SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Sierra View Medical Center on Any Federal Watch List?
SIERRA VIEW MEDICAL CENTER is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.