All states › Washington › Tacoma › Avamere at Pacific Ridge
3625 East B Street Tacoma, WA 98404 · Pierce County
All 11 nursing homes in Tacoma, WA (11 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 505264 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Avamere at Pacific Ridge a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Avamere at Pacific Ridge as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the Washington average of 3.3.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 4.98 hours per resident per day at Avamere at Pacific Ridge, above the Washington median of 4.15 (US median: 3.72). About 0.75 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.42 hours, 11% below its all-week average. 38.1% of nursing staff left within a year (Washington median 43%). 2 administrators left in the past year.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Avamere at Pacific Ridge: Medicare and Medicaid
Avamere at Pacific Ridge is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Washington's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on April 24, 2026 and found 21 deficiencies, plus 2 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 68 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 68 citations at Avamere at Pacific Ridge across 9 inspection dates, 6 of them from complaint investigations. 4 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on April 23, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (22) and resident rights (13). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors" (tag F0760, level G, April 23, 2026). 4 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
April 24, 2026 · 21 citations
FEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
EEducate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
DHonor 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.
DHonor 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.
DHonor 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.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with mental disorder or psychosocial adjustment difficulty, or who has a history of trauma and/or post-traumatic stress disorder.
DProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
DProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
April 23, 2026 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
December 12, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
May 20, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
March 27, 2025 · 27 citations
FPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
FEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EHonor 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.
ENotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
EImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
EEducate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
EEnsure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DHonor 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.
DEnsure that each resident is free from the use of physical restraints, unless needed for medical treatment.
DEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide activities to meet all resident's needs.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DProvide or obtain dental services for each resident.
January 17, 2025 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
October 4, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
July 19, 2024 · 1 citation, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
April 26, 2024 · 14 citations
EHonor 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.
EEnsure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
EImplement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
EEnsure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
EMake sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
DHonor 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.
DEnsure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
CProvide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
BNotify the resident or the resident’s representative in writing how long the nursing home will hold the resident’s bed in cases of transfer to a hospital or therapeutic leave.
Questions to ask on a tour of Avamere at Pacific Ridge
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on April 23, 2026 under the rule on pharmacy service. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on April 24, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Several administrators left in the past year. What has changed for residents since then?
- CMS rates short-stay quality 2 out of 5. How often do rehab patients go back to the hospital, and how many therapy sessions a week are typical?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
4 penalties in the last three years, including $68,411 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 23, 2026 | Fine | $10,628 |
| Jan 17, 2025 | Fine | $22,432 |
| Oct 4, 2024 | Fine | $27,073 |
| Jul 19, 2024 | Fine | $8,278 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Avamere at Pacific Ridge
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
-
1.6 mi
St Joseph Medical Center TacomaEmergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5Median ER visit 3h 31m for patients treated and sent home
- 2.4 mi
-
2.4 mi
Tacoma General Hospital TacomaEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 3h 28m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near Avamere at Pacific Ridge › All nursing homes in Tacoma ›
Compare Avamere at Pacific Ridge with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Tacoma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center · Tacoma · 5 stars · 3.9 mi
- Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound · Tacoma · 5 stars · 4.7 mi
- The Oaks at Lakewood · Tacoma · 5 stars · 6.0 mi
- Garden Terrace Healthcare Center of Federal Way · Federal Way · 5 stars · 6.9 mi
Other Avamere nursing homes in Washington
- Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound · Tacoma · 5 stars
- Queen Anne Healthcare · Seattle · 5 stars
- Avamere Rehabilitation of Cascade Park · Vancouver · 5 stars
- Avamere Rehabilitation at Ridgemont · Port Orchard · 5 stars
- Avamere Rehabilitation of Burien · Burien · 4 stars
- Richmond Beach Rehab · Shoreline · 4 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 27 Avamere nursing homes ›
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.