Merrill Gardens at the University

The facility had three low-level violations: improper food date labeling in refrigerators (opened mayonnaise, tartar sauce, whipping cream, and milk without use-by dates), two dining servers lacking valid food handler permits within required timeframes, and two caregivers missing required tuberculosis skin tests within three days of hire. The facility responded promptly with corrective actions, completing all corrections within the required timeframe, and a follow-up inspection on 07/10/2025 confirmed full compliance with no remaining deficiencies.

The facility failed its fourth consecutive Fire and Life Safety Inspection by the Washington State Fire Marshal, placing 36 residents, staff, and visitors at risk. This represents an uncorrected deficiency previously cited in September 2023, indicating a pattern of non-compliance with critical life-safety requirements. The facility's response has been inadequate, as evidenced by the repeated failures over multiple follow-up inspections spanning at least four months. A $1,000 civil fine was imposed due to the ongoing failure to achieve compliance with fire safety standards.

The facility had isolated procedural violations including one staff member (Staff E) lacking required continuing education hours for 2022-2023, and two staff members (Staff A and Staff B) with delayed tuberculosis testing that did not follow the mandated timeline. These administrative non-compliance issues posed minimal direct resident harm but indicated gaps in regulatory adherence affecting all 35 residents. The facility responded appropriately by conducting corrective actions and achieving full compliance by the February 2024 follow-up inspection, demonstrating adequate commitment to addressing deficiencies through implemented monitoring systems.

The facility failed multiple fire and life safety follow-up inspections over a 5-month period (March-August 2023), unable to provide required documentation for 4-year fire/smoke damper inspections and hydrostatic testing of Fire Department Connection. These are critical fire safety system compliance requirements affecting 33 residents. The facility's response was inadequate, demonstrating persistent non-compliance across four separate inspection attempts with no evidence of timely corrective action or document production. While not immediately life-threatening, the repeated failures and lack of documentation for essential fire safety systems represent moderate safety concerns with a minimal facility response.

This residential care facility demonstrated systemic life-safety violations across multiple inspections including malfunctioning fire alarm systems in trouble state, disabled fire doors propped open, widespread emergency lighting failures, blocked electrical panels, and complete absence of required documentation for critical fire safety systems (sprinklers, fire alarms, emergency drills, and annual inspections). The facility's response was inadequate, as evidenced by repeated violations across three consecutive failed inspections (March, April, and June 2023) with the same deficiencies persisting, indicating no meaningful corrective action was taken despite multiple opportunities. The combination of active life-safety system failures and systematic record-keeping failures suggests fundamental operational deficiencies in fire safety management.