Washington › Pierce County › Gig Harbor
Heron'S Key
4340 Borgen Blvd Nw, Gig Harbor, WA 98332
Ratings are based on the most recent data available; a facility's ratings may have changed since the last update. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys and complaint investigations. CMS processed this record on 1 Aug 2026. View the Care Compare record.
Heron'S Key, in Gig Harbor, Washington, is certified for 30 beds under non-profit, corporation ownership.
CMS gives it 5 of 5 stars overall, above the Washington median of 3; the health inspection rating is 5, staffing 5 and quality measures 5.
Inspectors recorded 19 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles (3, 12, 4 by cycle, most recent first), 1 of them at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. That is 63.3 per 100 beds, more than the state median of 50.0.
CMS lists 1 penalty in the period covered: fines totalling $15K.
Reported nurse staffing is 5.7 hours per resident per day (1.7 RN), above the Washington median of 4.1; nursing staff turnover is 29.6%.
Compared with county, state and nation
| Measure | This facility | Pierce Co. median | Washington median | US average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3.0 |
| Health citations, 3 cycles | 19 | 53 | 46 | 28.7 |
| Citations per 100 beds | 63.3 | 54.0 | 50.0 | 26.8 |
| Total nurse hours per resident day | 5.7 | 4.3 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| RN hours per resident day | 1.7 | 0.8 | 0.9 | 0.7 |
| Nursing staff turnover | 29.6% | 43.2% | 43.2% | 45.8% |
| Fines listed | $15,015 | $24,814 | $17,388 | — |
County and state figures are medians across facilities (21 in the county, 193 in the state); the US column is the CMS national average where CMS publishes one.
Citations by survey cycle
Dark bar: this facility. Grey bar: Washington average per facility for the same cycle, as published by CMS. Standard health survey dates: 13 Feb 2026, 15 Nov 2024.
Severity mix: G ×1 D ×12 E ×3 F ×2 C ×1
Health deficiencies
Every health citation in the current CMS record (three survey cycles), most recent first. Tag text is the CMS requirement summary, not the inspection narrative.
Scope and severity letters (A–L)
| Survey date | Tag | What the tag requires | Severity | Type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 Feb 2026 | F0641 | Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment. | D | Standard survey | 26 Mar 2026 |
| 13 Feb 2026 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Standard survey | 26 Mar 2026 |
| 13 Feb 2026 | F0790 | Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident. | D | Standard survey | 26 Mar 2026 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0572 | Give residents a notice of rights, rules, services and charges. | F | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | F | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0623 | Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights. | E | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0625 | Notify 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. | E | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0559 | Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0578 | 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. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0684 | Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0757 | Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0921 | Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public. | D | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 15 Nov 2024 | F0732 | Post nurse staffing information every day. | C | Standard survey | 27 Dec 2024 |
| 8 Jan 2024 | F0804 | Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature. | E | Standard survey | 1 Feb 2024 |
| 8 Jan 2024 | F0757 | Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs. | D | Standard survey | 1 Feb 2024 |
| 8 Jan 2024 | F0761 | Ensure 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. | D | Standard survey | 1 Feb 2024 |
| 31 Aug 2023 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | G | Complaint investigation | 28 Sep 2023 |
Penalties
| Date | Type | Amount | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 Aug 2023 | Fine | $15,015 |
Staffing
Hours per resident per day as reported through the Payroll-Based Journal; grey bars are the Washington average. Turnover: nursing staff 29.6%, RNs 44.4%; 0 administrators left in the reporting year.
Quality measures
| Measure | Residents | This facility | Washington median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 15.4% | 13.9% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.0% | 0.5% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 1.7% | 1.1% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 0.0% | 2.1% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 2.1% | 0.9% | 1.0% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 0.0% | 3.7% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 9.4% | 14.1% | 13.4% |
Four-quarter averages for the measures CMS uses in the quality-measure star rating (2025Q2-2026Q1). Lower is better for every measure listed. Medians are computed across facilities on this site.
Ownership
Ownership type: non-profit, corporation.
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Communities | Operational/managerial control | NOT APPLICABLE | 08/01/2015 |
Only organisations are shown. CMS also records individual owners, officers and managing employees; this site does not publish people's names.
Other nursing homes in Pierce County
| Facility | City | Beds | Overall | Health | Staffing | Citations | Per 100 beds | Fines | Last survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Life Care Center of South Hill | Puyallup | 100 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 29 | 29.0 | $17K | 21 Nov 2025 |
| Rainier Rehabilitation | Puyallup | 117 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 4.3 | — | 12 Aug 2025 |
| Tacoma Nursing and Rehabilitation Center | Tacoma | 150 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 12.7 | $36K | 22 Jun 2026 |
| The Oaks At Lakewood | Tacoma | 80 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 28 | 35.0 | — | 29 Jan 2026 |
| Avamere Transitional Care of Puget Sound | Tacoma | 60 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 45 | 75.0 | $23K | 19 Mar 2026 |
| Cottesmore of Life Care | Gig Harbor | 108 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 38 | 35.2 | $30K | 27 Feb 2026 |
| Agility Health and Rehabilitation | University Place | 120 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 41 | 34.2 | — | 9 Jun 2026 |
| Eliseo | Tacoma | 187 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 53 | 28.3 | — | 22 Apr 2026 |
All 21 facilities in Pierce County
Questions and answers
How many deficiencies has Heron'S Key been cited for?
19 health deficiencies across the three most recent survey cycles, 1 at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level. The Washington median is 46 per facility.
Has Heron'S Key been fined?
Yes. CMS lists fines totalling $15K in the period covered.
How does staffing at Heron'S Key compare?
Reported total nurse staffing is 5.7 hours per resident per day against a Washington median of 4.1 and a national average of 3.9.
Who operates Heron'S Key?
Ownership type is non-profit, corporation. Organisations in the CMS ownership record include Emerald Communities. Individual owners and managers are not listed on this site.
When was Heron'S Key last inspected?
The most recent survey or investigation in the CMS record is dated 13 Feb 2026; the most recent standard health survey was 13 Feb 2026.
Where does this data come from?
All figures are from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Care Compare datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership and quality measures), processed 1 Aug 2026. Ratings and citations may change; the Care Compare record is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare nursing home datasets (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, ownership, MDS quality measures, state and national averages), public domain, processed by CMS on 1 Aug 2026. Facility record: Care Compare. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections.