Birch Ridge (Augusta CO) was inspected 24 times between November 6, 2020 and March 26, 2026 by the Virginia Department of Social Services. 17 of those visits ended with violations cited and 7 with none. Across that history VDSS cited 89 violations under 58 distinct standards. 12 inspections were prompted by a complaint.
A violation is a licensing standard - a rule in the Virginia Administrative Code - that the inspector found the facility was not meeting. Each is shown with the evidence the inspector recorded and, where VDSS publishes it, the facility's own plan of correction.
VDSS publishes inspections on a rolling window. 22 of these 24 are still on the state's site; the other 2 have since dropped off it and are reproduced from Assisted Living Magazine's archive of the original VDSS reports.
Provider Information
Inspection History
24Select an inspection to read the areas reviewed, the inspector's comments and any violations cited.
March 26, 2026Complaint survey
- During a facility tour on 3/26/2026, LI found resident 1 sitting on a soiled bed in soiled pants asking for help. LI asked resident 1 if she had a pendant to push for assistance, but resident 1 appeared unable to understand how to use the signaling device.
- During an interview on 03/26/2026 with LI, staff 2 and 3 were asked if resident 1 was able to use the signaling device to call for assistance. Staff 2 and 3 both stated that resident 1 could not use signaling device to call for help.
- ISP for resident 1 did not include the residents’ inability to use the signaling device.
- During a facility tour on 3/26/2026, LI found resident 1 sitting on the bed. The bathroom commode was soiled with a large amount of feces. There was feces soiled adult pullup on the seat of the rollator walker. Resident 1’s pants were soiled with feces.
- LI could smell a strong odor of feces in resident 1s bathroom, bedroom, and the adjoining hallway.
- Photo evidence taken.
- During the facility tour on 03/26/2026, LI observed a soiled commode in room 2 on North Hall, standing water in the bathroom sink of room 8 on South Hall, a dirty bathroom sink and mold in the toilet bowl of room 10 on North Hall, a collapsed ceiling in rooms 12 and 13 on South Hall, and water stains on hallway ceiling on South Hall between rooms 12 and 13.
- During an interview on 03/26/2026 with LI, staff 1 acknowledged that rooms 12 and 13 needed repair and stated that maintenance would address the other items.
- Photo evidence taken.
- During a facility tour on 3/26/2026, LI went into unlocked room 13 and observed a large pile of damp insulation and plugged in unattended power tools.
- During an interview on 03/26/2026 with LI, staff 1 acknowledged that the door to room 13 was left unlocked.
- Photo evidence taken.
- On 03/25/2026, the regional licensing office received a complaint forwarded from the Ombudsman that a water pipe ruptured on February 9, 2026, which caused the ceiling to collapse in two resident rooms. Reporter alleged that a resident had to be moved to another room due to excessive amounts of water on the floor.
- The regional licensing office did not receive a self-reported incident for the pipe rupture or relocation of a resident.
- During an interview with the licensing inspector (LI) on 03/26/2026, staff 1 was asked if a water pipe had ruptured. Staff 1 confirmed that a water pipe for the sprinkler system, which was located in the ceiling, ruptured on February 9, 2026. The water caused the ceiling in two rooms to be damaged.
- During an interview with the LI on 03/26/2026, staff 1 was asked if any residents had to be moved due to the pipe rupture. Staff 1 stated that no residents were living in the rooms with water damage, but one resident had to be moved in an adjoining room, due to water on the floor.
- During an interview with LI on 03/26/2026, staff 1 was asked if a self-report was sent to the licensing office regarding the ruptured pipe. Staff 1 confirmed that a self-report was not sent.
March 26, 2026Complaint survey
- Record for resident 1, admitted 09/24/2025, contained a registered sex offender search dated 10/08/2025, which is after the day of admission.
- During an interview with the LI on 03/26/2026, staff 1 confirmed the registered sex offender search for resident 1 was not completed prior to admission.
- The facility is licensed for both residential and assisted living care.
- Facility record review contained a Staff Schedule for March 2026 with no documentation of Staff 4 scheduled.
- During an interview with LI on 03/26/2026, staff 2 was asked which days she worked last week and the current week. Staff 2 stated that she had worked Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday of the previous week and Thursday and Friday the current week. Staff 2 was asked if she had seen staff 4 in the building during any of the days she worked, and staff 2 confirmed that she did not see staff 4.
- During an interview with LI on 03/26/2026, staff 1 was asked which days staff 4 was in the building during the month of March. Staff 1 stated that staff 4’s last day at the facility was March 1, 2026. Staff 1 stated that staff 5 was the new administrator. LI asked staff 1 when staff 5 was in the building in March 2026. Staff 1 stated that staff 5 had not been in the facility for two weeks.
- During an interview with the LI on 03/26/2026, staff 2 confirmed resident 1 was receiving Hospice services.
- Hospice paperwork confirmed Hospice services for resident 1 began on 12/15/2025.
- Comprehensive ISP for resident 1, admit date 09/24/2025, did not include Hospice services.
- During an interview with LI on 03/26/2026, staff 1 acknowledged that ISP dated 09/24/2025 in resident 1’s record did not include Hospice services and was not updated when the changed occurred.
- Complaint was received on 03/25/2026 that medication for resident 1 (admitted 09/24/2025) were not being administered correctly per physician’s order signed and dated 03/12/2026.
- Record for resident 1 contained a physician’s medication order signed and dated 03/12/2026 which indicated to decrease morning dose of Seroquel from 25 mg tablet to 12.5 mg every morning, increase bedtime dose of Seroquel from 50 mg to 75 mg every night at bedtime, and change clonazepam 0.5 mg from one tablet by mouth two times a day as need to every 12 hours as needed for anxiety/agitation. Failure to follow the physician’s order resulted in a total of 12 incorrect administrations of Seroquel during the morning medication pass, 11 incorrect administrations of Seroquel during the evening medication pass, and 11 incorrect administrations of clonazepam daily.
- Medication administration record (MAR) for resident 1 for March 2026 indicated that physician’s medication order dated 03/12/2026 was not updated on the MAR and medications were not administered as ordered by physician.
- During an interview with LI on 03/26/2026, staff 1 was asked why the physician’s medication order signed and dated for 03/12/2026 for medication changes was not started. Staff 1 stated that she did not know and that Hospice was trying to decide what to do with the medications for resident 1.
February 24, 2026Inspection
- On 02/24/2026, LI requested documentation of practice exercises for resident emergencies.
- No resident exercises for medical or mental emergencies were practiced.
- On 02/24/2026, staff 5 acknowledged that staff did not participate in medical and mental emergencies.
- Record for resident 1, admitted 01/24/2026, did not contain a preliminary plan of care that addressed behaviors identified in the UAI.
- Record for resident 2, admitted 02/02/2026, did not contain a preliminary plan of care that addressed behaviors identified in the UAI.
- During an interview with the LI on 02/24/2026, staff 5 acknowledged the facility failed to ensure the preliminary plan of care was developed to address the basic needs of resident 1 and resident 2.
- Record for resident 3, admission date 07/19/2019, was reviewed. A TB screening for 2025 was not in the record.
- Staff 5 acknowledged that the TB screening had not been completed on an annual basis.
- LI requested the semi-annual review of the emergency preparedness and response plan for staff, residents, and volunteers.
- During document review on 02/24/2026, the LI observed the semiannual review of emergency preparedness with staff and residents only occurred once in 2025.
- Staff 5 confirmed the reviewed emergency preparedness and response trainings only occurred once on 04/30/2025, not twice as required.
- The facility first aid kit was inventoried by LI on 02/24/2026. The first aid kit contained Curad petrolatum dressings which expired 01/2023 and 07/23/2025 respectively, Curad xeroform petrolatum dressings which expired 10/2023, antimicrobial skin cleanser which expired on 09/2023, saline wound wash which expired on 12/2017, Skintegrity wound cleanser which expired on 09/2024, and dermal wound wash which expired on 08/2025.
- During an interview with the LI on 02/24/2026, staff 5 acknowledged the Curad petrolatum dressings, Curad xeroform petrolatum dressings, antimicrobial skin cleanser, saline wound wash, Skintegrity wound cleanser, and dermal wound wash were all expired.
- Photo evidence taken.
- Record for resident 2, admitted 02/02/2026, did not contain a registered sex offender search.
- During an interview with the LI on 02/24/2026, staff 5 confirmed the registered sex offender search for resident 2 was not completed prior to admission.
- During a tour of the facility on 02/24/2026, LI observed an unlocked laundry room containing cleaning liquids, including Clorox spray, Clorox disinfecting wipes, Pledge, Fabuloso, Windex, furniture polish, and Xtra laundry detergent.
- During an interview with the LI on 02/24/2026, staff 5 confirmed the laundry room was unlocked when LI toured and should have been secured.
- Photo evidence taken.
- During a record review on 02/24/2026, the LI observed that fire drills were conducted 07/17/2025 on 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift, 08/17/2026 on 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., and 09/24/2025 on 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. shift. No fire drills were completed during 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. shift from July 2025 through September 2025.
- Staff 5 confirmed that fire drills were not completed on each shift during the quarter as required.
- The admission date for resident 1 was 01/24/2026. The date of the face-to-face physical examination for resident 1 was 01/24/2026, which did not include a medication list signed by the physician as required.
- Staff 4 and 5 acknowledged that the physical examination report for residents 1 was not completed according to the standard.
- d by completion of the current screening form published by the Virginia Department of Health or a form consistent with it, on or within seven days prior to the first day of work at the facility. Evidence:
- Record for staff 2, hired 11/17/2025, did not contain a tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment, which was required on or within seven days prior to the first day of work at the facility.
- Staff 5 acknowledged that the TB risk assessment for staff 2 was not completed on or within seven days prior to the first day of work at the facility.
- During the facility tour completed on 02/24/2026, the licensing inspector (LI) observed the current staff person in charge posted in the facility for the previous day, 02/23/2026.
- During an interview on 02/24/2026 with the LI, staff 5 stated that the person in charge was not updated for the current day and still showed the previous day, 02/23/2026.
- Photo evidence taken.
- Resident 2 was admitted to the facility on 02/02/2026.
- During a record review conducted on 02/24/2026, the UAI was reviewed and noted to have a completion date and signature of 02/04/2026, which was after the resident’s date of admission.
- During an interview with the LI on 02/24/2026, staff 5 confirmed the UAI for resident 2 was not completed prior to admission.
- The fall risk rating for resident 2, admitted 02/02/2026, was completed on 02/04/2026.
- Staff 5 acknowledged that fall risk rating was not completed upon admission.
September 16, 2025Complaint survey
- Record review completed 9/16/2025 for resident 1 (admitted 7/15/2019) contained an ISP dated 4/12/2024.
- During an interview with staff 1, when asked if that was the most current ISP staff 1 answered “yes”.
- Record review completed 9/16/2025 for resident 1 (admitted 7/15/2019) contained a UAI dated 3/20/2024.
- During an interview with staff 1, when asked if that was the most current UAI staff 1 answered “yes”.
- This facility contained a mixed population of residents.
- A complaint was received by the regional licensing office on 9/15/2025 indicating that resident 1 had fallen and was left on the floor for greater than 20 minutes initiating a call to local emergency medical services for assistance.
- Personnel from the emergency medical services (EMS) were interviewed regarding the incident and stated that upon entry to the facility at 12:30 a.m. on 9/13/2025 there were no staff present upon entry, the EMS responders searched through the facility for resident 1 and located them in their apartment on the floor. Once the resident was assisted the EMS responders searched the facility and found staff 3 and 4 asleep in the staff area and EMS responders woke them.
- Video footage was observed during the inspection and revealed staff 3 and staff 4 both asleep from 12:30 a.m. until 12:45 a.m. when EMS woke them, and again from 4:22 a.m. - 5:16 a.m.
- The staff schedule was reviewed and confirmed that staff 3 and staff 4 were the only staff on duty.
- During an interview with staff 1 and staff 2 when asked if there were any other staff present on the night shift of 9/12/2025 through 9/13/2025 staff 1 stated “no, just them”.
August 29, 2025Inspection
- On 5/1/2025 the regional licensing office received a notification that staff 2 would be the acting administrator effective 5/1/2025.
- On the day of the inspection, 8/29/2025, during an interview with staff 1, staff 1 confirmed that staff 2 was currently the acting administrator.
- Staff 2 operated the facility as the acting administrator for a total of 120 days.
June 25, 2025Complaint survey
- Upon entering resident room North one, two licensing staff observed a strong urine odor.
- While in the room at 12:45 p.m. two licensing staff observed a soiled brief in the bedroom trashcan.
- During an interview with staff 3 when asked how long the brief had been in the trashcan, staff 3 stated “since breakfast time”
- Photo evidence taken.
- During the exterior tour on 6/25/2025, two licensing staff observed a broken flowerpot on the front porch, missing siding on the left side of the building showing exposed plywood, a broken recliner in the grass on the back of the building, and a broken rocking chair in the resident courtyard.
- During the interior tour on 6/25/2025, the bathroom of resident room, North one, had feces in and around the lid and base of the toilet, a soiled brief in the trashcan, and a dried brown stain on the floor.
- Photo evidence taken.
- During the facility tour on 6/25/2025, two licensing staff observed the front porch of the facility to have three rocking chairs with ripped and soiled cushions, and a rotting wooden side table.
- Photo evidence taken.
- Resident 1 (admitted 3/29/2024) had a total of 19 falls on the following dates, 1/27/2025, 1/30/2025, 2/11/2025, 3/5/2025, 3/6/2025, 5/10/2025, 6/14/2025 at 7:18 p.m.,8:10 p.m., 9:07 p.m. and 9:50 p.m., 6/15/2025, 6/16/2025 at 10:00 a.m., second fall on 6/16/2025 without a time documented), and 5:30 p.m., 6/18/2025 at 2:30 p.m., 5:50 p.m., 9:11 p.m., and 10:00 p.m., and 6/23/2025.
- Record review for resident 1, had four fall risk ratings completed on 6/18/2025, four completed on 6/16/2025, one completed 6/15/2025, four completed on 6/14/2025, one completed on 5/10/2025, one completed on 3/6/2025, one completed on 3/5/2025, one completed on 2/11/2025, one completed 1/27/2025, all indicating resident 1 was a high risk for falls.
- The ISP dated 3/20/2024 stated resident 1 was “not considered a fall risk”.
- Resident 1 fell 12 times from 6/14/2025 through 6/18/2025
- During an interview with staff 1, when asked if there were any interventions implemented following the frequent falls to prevent additional fall staff 1 stated “no”.
- A complaint received by the regional licensing office on 6/12/2025 alleged that on 5/10/2025 resident 1 (admitted 3/29/2024) fell and had a head injury requiring stitches, and on 6/4/2025 and 6/6/2025 resident 1 was sent to the hospital for evaluation following mental health emergencies.
- Record review for resident 1 contained documentation of resident 1 being sent to the hospital on 5/10/2025 for a fall with injury and on 6/4/2025 and 6/6/2025 following a mental health emergency.
- During an interview with staff 1, when asked if an incident report was sent for the incidents with resident 1 that occurred on 5/10/2025, 6/4/2025, and 6/6/2025, staff 1 stated “no”.
- Resident 1 (admitted 3/29/2024) had a Unform Assessment Instrument (UAI) dated 4/15/2024.
- During an interview with staff 1 when asked if the UAI for resident 1 had been updated annually, staff 1 stated “the one in the chart is the only one that I have”
- During an interview with staff 3, when asked if the following assistance listed on the UAI was correct for resident 1, staff 3 stated “no”; Bathing was listed on the UAI as supervision only, dressing was listed as no assistance needed, and continence was listed as continent, no assistance needed.
- When asked how long resident 1 had needed assistance with bathing, dressing, and toileting staff 1 stated “at least three (3) months.”
- The UAI for resident 1 also indicated psycho-social status as appropriate and orientation as oriented, however during an interview with staff 1 and staff 3, when asked if resident 1 had abusive/aggressive/disruptive behaviors staff 3 stated “yes”, when asked how frequently resident 1 exhibited those behaviors staff 3 stated “it’s a daily occurrence”. When asked how long resident 1 had exhibited the behaviors staff 1 stated “at least three (3) months.”
- Resident 1 (admitted 3/29/2024) had an ISP dated 3/20/2024.
- During an interview with staff 1 when asked if the ISP for resident 1 had been updated annually, staff 1 stated “the one in the chart is the only one that I have”
- Resident 1 (admitted 3/29/2024) had 19 “Unusual Occurrence Incident Reports” following each of resident 1’s falls.
- 10 of 19 incident reportsindicated “no” family notification with reason listed as “didn’t have access to resident chart to get phone number”.
- During an interview with staff 2, when asked why the family was not notified for 10 of the incidents of resident 1 falling, staff 2 stated “I did not have access to the charts they were in a locked office inaccessible to the staff”
June 10, 2025Complaint survey
- During the facility tour on 6/10/2025, two licensing staff observed the laundry room door open and unlocked containing the following cleaning supplies; five containers of liquid laundry detergent, three containers of Pine Glo cleaner, five containers of Comet with Bleach cleaner, two bottles of furniture polish, one container of Fabuloso cleaner, one container of bathroom cleaner, one container of Clorox disinfecting wipes, and one gallon of bleach.
- Photo evidence taken.
January 16, 2025Inspection
- During a record review on 1/16/2025, resident 2, admitted 12/17/2024, had a UAI dated 12/12/2024 that indicated resident 2 is abusive/aggressive/disruptive – weekly or more with the type of inappropriate behavior stating, “can be aggressive at times when (they) feel pushed by staff to do things (they) may not want to do.”
- Upon request on 1/16/2025, the facility did not provide documentation of training completed for dealing with residents who have a history of aggressive behavior for any staff.
- Resident 1, admitted 10/31/2024, had a DNR order dated 11/13/2024.
- The ISP for resident 1, dated 4/5/2024 indicated the code status as Full Code. The ISP stated, “staff will immediately call 911 to activate EMS and start CPR until EMS arrives.”
- Upon entrance to the facility on 1/16/2025 at 10:00am, the posted supervisor in charge was dated for 1/15/2025.
- Photo evidence taken
- During the facility tour on 1/16/2025, the laundry room door was not locked containing a gallon of laundry detergent beside the washing machine and a shelf of cleaning chemicals including three containers of Comet with bleach, six containers of Clorox disinfecting wipes, three containers of furniture polish, and a spray bottle of disinfectant cleaner.
- Photo evidence taken.
- During a record review completed 1/16/2025, resident 2, admitted 12/17/2024, did not have a picture or description in the resident record.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if there was a picture or description in resident 2’s record, staff 1 stated “probably not”.
- During the inspection on 1/16/2025, the facility did not provide documentation of any fire drills completed at the facility.
- During an interview with staff 1, hired 11/20/2024, when asked when the last fire drill was completed staff 1 stated “not since I’ve been here”.
- During the facility tour on 1/16/2025, the fire and emergency evacuation drawing did not contain a secondary evacuation route, areas of refuge, or assembly areas.
- Photo evidence taken.
- The ISP for resident 2 dated 12/12/2024 was not signed by the resident or legal representative.
- The ISP for resident 1 dated 4/5/2024, was not signed by the person who developed the plan or the resident or legal representative.
- The current work schedule posted at the time of inspection on 1/16/2025, did not indicate whomever is in charge at any given time.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if the schedule indicated who is in charge, staff 1 stated “no, it doesn’t.”
- During the facility tour on 1/16/2025, there was no schedule of activities posted in the facility.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if there was a written schedule of activities staff 1 stated “yes, but we don’t post that we only post the activity for that day”.
- During the inspection on 1/16/2025, staff 1 provided a calendar labeled “January 2025” with one activity listed each day, without an indication of the hour or length of activity.
- Upon request on 1/16/2025, the facility did not provide any training records for Staff 3 hired 4/16/2024.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if there was any record of direct care training including infection control, staff 1 stated “not that I can find”.
- During the facility tour on 1/17/2025, there was no dietary manual present in the kitchen.
- Upon request on 1/17/2025, the facility did not provide a dietary manual.
- Resident 2 admitted 12/17/2024, had a Uniform Assessment Instrument (UAI) dated 12/12/2024 indicating psycho-social status as abusive/aggressive/disruptive – weekly or more.
- The ISP for resident 2 dated 12/12/2024 did not include the psycho-social status.
- During the inspection on 1/16/2025, staff 1 provided a list of 4 residents with an inability to use a signaling device, including resident 2.
- The ISP for resident 2 dated 12/12/2024 did not include the inability to use the signaling device.
- Upon request on 1/16/2025, the facility did not provide documentation of completed exercises in which the procedures for resident emergencies were practiced.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if there were any exercises for resident emergencies completed, staff 1 stated “not that I can find”.
- During the facility tour on 1/16/2025, there was no listing of staff with first aid or CPR posted.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked where the first aid and CPR list was posted, staff 1 stated “I didn’t know it needed to be posted.”
- During the inspection on 1/16/2025, the facility did not provide a semi- annual review of the emergency preparedness and response plan for all staff, residents, or volunteers.
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if there was a semi-annual review of the emergency preparedness and response plan, staff 1 stated, “I don’t think it was done”.
- d by the completion of the current screening form published by the Virginia Department of Health or a form consistent with it. Evidence:
- Upon request on 1/16/2025, the facility did not provide the results of a risk assessment documenting the individual is free of tuberculosis for staff 3 hired 4/16/2024
- During an interview with staff 1 on 1/16/2025, when asked if there was a TB risk assessment completed for staff 3, staff 1 answered no.
- During the inspection on 1/16/2025, staff 1 provided a calendar labeled “January 2025” with one activity listed each day, without an indication of the hour or length of activity.
- During an interview with staff 1, when asked how many scheduled hours of activities are conducted at the facility daily, and if there were 14 scheduled hours of activities weekly, staff 1 stated “I’m not sure, and probably not”.
- A group of three staff were interviewed regarding activities in the facility, when asked when the last activity occurred at the facility the staff answered a craft was done at Christmas”.
October 15, 2024Complaint survey
- Upon arrival to the facility during the inspection on 10/15/2024 at 11:20am a shutter on a window to the right of the front door on the front of the facility was falling off and hanging at the bottom.
- Photo evidence taken.
- During the facility tour on 10/15/2024, the licensing inspector observed the laundry room door next to the resident dining room cracked open with duct tape covering the latch, stopping the door from being secured.
- The unsecured laundry room contained a shelf holding 2, gallon jugs of bleach, window cleaner, and various baskets of assorted cleaning supplies.
- During an interview on 10/15/2024, staff 3 acknowledged the laundry room door was unlocked and stated, "we can't get into it if its locked".
- Photo Evidence taken.
February 16, 2024Inspection
- Resident B had no current documentation on the ISP of an annual review. The last ISP was dated April 9, 2022.