All states › Washington › Tacoma › Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation
5601 S Orchard Street Tacoma, WA 98409 · Pierce County
All 11 nursing homes in Tacoma, WA (11 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 505289 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation 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 Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 1 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 3.70 hours per resident per day at Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation, below the Washington median of 4.15 (US median: 3.72). About 0.65 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.33 hours, 10% below its all-week average. 52.9% of nursing staff left within a year (Washington median 43%).
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation: Medicare and Medicaid
Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation 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 March 13, 2026 and found 18 deficiencies, plus 9 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 78 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 78 citations at Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation across 15 inspection dates, 21 of them from complaint investigations. 3 were at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on March 26, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (30) and resident rights (12). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents" (tag F0689, level G, March 26, 2026). 10 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
June 18, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
ELimit the charges against residents' personal funds for items or services for which payment is made under Medicare or Medicaid.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
May 6, 2026 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
March 26, 2026 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
GProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
EEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
March 13, 2026 · 19 citations
FEnsure 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.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
ERespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
EPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
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.
DGive residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
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.
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.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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.
DEnsure 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.
DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
DProvide or obtain dental services for each resident.
November 19, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide the appropriate treatment and services to a resident who displays or is diagnosed with dementia.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
August 11, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
July 10, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
June 30, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
ETimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
March 14, 2025 · 24 citations
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 request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
EPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
ECreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
EImplement a program that monitors antibiotic use.
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.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DHonor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
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.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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.
DProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DEnsure 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.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DImplement 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.
November 1, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
October 28, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DElectronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.
July 15, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
July 10, 2024 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
May 23, 2024 · 14 citations
EProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
EProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
EEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
EEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
EProvide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.
EEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DHonor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
CProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
BProvide 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.
March 22, 2024 · 2 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DRespond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Questions to ask on a tour of Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on March 26, 2026 under the rule on quality of life and care. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on March 13, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- 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
1 penalty in the last three years, including $19,656 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2026 | Fine | $19,656 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 1/5 | 1/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 2.6 mi
- 3.0 mi
-
3.0 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 Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation › All nursing homes in Tacoma ›
Compare Birch Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound · Tacoma · 5 stars · 3.5 mi
- The Oaks at Lakewood · Tacoma · 5 stars · 3.7 mi
- Tacoma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center · Tacoma · 5 stars · 3.8 mi
- Cottesmore of Life Care · Gig Harbor · 5 stars · 6.1 mi
Other Hill Valley Healthcare nursing homes in Washington
- Salmon Creek Post Acute & Rehabilitation · Vancouver · 3 stars
- Alderwood Post Acute & Rehabilitation · Lynnwood · 2 stars
- Lacey Post Acute & Rehabilitation · Lacey · 2 stars
- The Broadview Center · Seattle · 2 stars
- Gig Harbor Health and Rehabilitation · Gig Harbor · 1 stars
- Woodard Creek Health & Rehabilitation · Olympia · 1 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 43 Hill Valley Healthcare 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.