Whatcom County, Washington · Nursing home
Mt Baker Care Center
5 of 5 overall from CMS
2905 Connelly Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225
At a glance
- Overall rating 5 of 5 Above the state average of 3.3
- Nurse time per resident, per day 5.00 hours Above the state average of 4.36
- Nursing staff who left in a year 41.0% Below the state average of 45.1%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 20 None at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years None None listed by CMS
- Certified beds in use 80.9% of 70 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
Mt Baker Care Center is a 70-bed nursing home in Bellingham, Washington (Whatcom County). CMS rates it 5 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 5.00 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, above the Washington average of 4.36. CMS lists no fines in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 70
- Residents per day (average)
- 56.6
- Certified since
- 1991 (35 yrs)
For profit - Limited Liability company Participates in Medicare and MedicaidPart of Regency Pacific Management (27 homes)
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask Mt Baker Care Center
Chosen from this home's public data.
- Reported nurse staffing is 4.41 hours per resident on weekends against 5.00 overall. Who covers Saturdays and Sundays?Weekend staffing in CMS data
- What is the daily private-pay rate, and are Medicaid beds available now?CMS does not publish prices
- Can we visit at a mealtime and again on a weekend?General
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 5 of 5 Washington average 3.3
- Health inspections 5 of 5 Washington average 2.8
- Staffing 5 of 5 Washington average 3.6
- Quality measures 5 of 5 Washington average 4.0
The vertical line marks the Washington average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 5.00 h Washington average 4.36
- Nurse aides 3.02 h Washington average 2.66
- Licensed practical nurses 0.68 h Washington average 0.77
- Registered nurses 1.30 h Washington average 0.94
- All staff, weekends 4.41 h Washington average 3.80
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 17 hours. The vertical line marks the Washington average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover41.0%
- Washington average45.1%
- Registered nurse turnover22.2%
- Washington average45.4%
- Administrators who left0
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Washington and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 11.4% | 14.2% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 0.0% | 5.5% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.5% | 1.0% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 1.3% | 1.6% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 40.0% | 17.7% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.1% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 9.6% | 2.6% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 98.7% | 96.0% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 15.2% | 17.2% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 9.2% | 12.4% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 97.6% | 93.8% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 1.5% | 4.3% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 29.0% | 22.5% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 22.2% | 15.1% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.13 | 1.33 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 0.83 | 1.52 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Washington | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 99.4% | 88.3% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 96.9% | 82.0% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 21.5% | 19.9% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 5.6% | 13.4% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 20 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. None was graded as actual harm or immediate jeopardy. 4 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2, 2025 | 7 | 5 |
| Apr 12, 2024 | 6 | 6 |
| Jan 7, 2023 | 7 | 12 |
Washington homes averaged 15.8 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (20)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jun 24, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 20, 2026)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 31, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 31, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 31, 2025)
Show 15 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 31, 2025)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 31, 2025)
-
EPotential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 10, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Complaint investigation · Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 1, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Complaint investigation · Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Apr 7, 2024)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 15, 2023)
-
FPotential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 15, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 15, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 15, 2023)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 15, 2023)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
CMS lists no fines or payment denials for this home in the past three years.
Washington homes averaged 1.2 fines and $52,633 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Washington
- Size146 of 193 by certified beds
- Washington average residents per day76.0
- ChainRegency Pacific Management
- Chain average overall rating3.9 of 5
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Bellingham6
- Homes in Whatcom County8
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for Mt Baker Care Center?
Mt Baker Care Center has an overall rating of 5 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 5, staffing is 5 and quality measures is 5.
How many beds does Mt Baker Care Center have?
Mt Baker Care Center has 70 certified beds. It averages 56.6 residents per day, about 80.9% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at Mt Baker Care Center?
The home reports 5.00 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 1.30 hours from registered nurses. The Washington average is 4.36 hours and 0.94 hours from registered nurses.
Has Mt Baker Care Center been fined?
CMS lists no fines for this home in the past three years.
Does Mt Baker Care Center accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 3 of 5 Highland Health and Rehabilitation of Cascadia 44beds 83.0%in use 3.93nurse hours a day
- 2 of 5 Rock Hill Health & Rehabilitation 52beds 87.1%in use 3.36nurse hours a day
- 5 of 5 Avalon Healthcare Bellingham 105beds 63.2%in use 4.50nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Whatcom County
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 505376. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.