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Nursing HomeMedicaid Investigative

Kern River Transitional Care

Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.

5151 Knudsen Drive, South San Lauren · Bakersfield, CA 93308140 bedsLicensed & Active
1/5
Medicare
Inspection
Quality
Staffing
Google rating
3.1/5

based on 63 Google reviews

5
4
3
2
1

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4/ 10
moderate Risk

Quality Concerns Identified

Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.

  • Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
  • Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
  • Above-median deficiencies (29 vs median 13.0)

Bottom 25% in CA · Below recommended RN staffing · Above recommended total nurse staffing · Worst in PACS GROUP chain · $77,720 in fines

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

This facility offers an impressive physical therapy program and a beautiful environment that is excellent for post-surgical rehab. However, you must be vigilant about nursing oversight, as there are recurring reports of unresponsive call lights and medication errors. We recommend frequent, unannounced visits to ensure your loved one's hygiene and medication needs are being met.

Google Reviews

Google Reviews

63 reviews on Google
Kern River Transitional Care is frequently praised for its modern, beautiful facility and its highly effective physical therapy program that helps patients regain mobility. However, families should be extremely cautious regarding inconsistent nursing care, reports of medication errors, and significant communication gaps between staff and responsible parties.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details
Food7.0Staff3.0Clean8.0ActivitiesN/AMeds1.0MemoryN/AComms2.0ValueN/A

Strengths

  • Effective physical and occupational therapy
  • Modern and clean facility appearance
  • Compassionate rehabilitation staff
  • High-quality dietary services

Concerns

  • Inconsistent nursing responsiveness and call light delays (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
  • Poor communication from administration and management (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
  • Negligence regarding hygiene and patient care (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
  • Inaccurate medication administration or logging (mentioned by 2 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

2344.2'19(20)1.02.3'21(6)1.62.5'23(13)4.33.5'25(4)4.0'26(4)

Distribution · 64 analyzed

5
28
4
5
3
1
2
1
1
29

How They Respond to Reviews

37%response rate
Generic

The owner uses highly templated, copy-paste responses for almost all negative reviews, often directing users to a phone number. While positive reviews are more personalized, the negative responses lack genuine empathy or specific resolution.

Questions for Your Tour

  • 1We've heard wonderful things about the physical and occupational therapy teams here; how do you tailor those rehab programs to meet an individual's specific recovery goals?
  • 2How does the nursing team manage call lights and ensure that residents receive timely responses during the night shifts?
  • 3What specific protocols are in place to ensure medication administration is accurately logged and double-checked by the staff?
  • 4Could you explain how the administration communicates important updates or changes in care to family members to ensure we are always on the same page?
  • 5What kind of daily activities or social programs are available to keep residents engaged and connected with one another?
  • 6In the event of a medical emergency or a sudden change in a resident's condition, what is the immediate process for notifying the family and coordinating care?

Personalized based on this facility's data


Key Review Excerpts

When my wife and I arrived at Kern River, she was unable walk, eat, or even sleep. Thanks to their great PT program, after about 5-8 days we started seeing amazing results!

Rehab patient's spouse · 2023★★★★★

The nurses would deny her water stating the kitchen was closed. They were rude, never had time to adjust her position in</em> in bed, took hours to respond

Long-term resident's family · 2020☆☆☆☆

They don't help give showers or allow showers regularly. They don't log medication accurately. They will say and log that they've given medication when they haven't.

Long-term resident's family · 2022★★★★
Source: 63 Google reviews

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare 2026
RN Hours
0.65hrs
87%
Registered nurses for medical care
Total Nursing
4.59hrs
OK
All nurses + aides combined
Staff Turnover
49%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)
RN Turnover
25%
Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN hours are below the national benchmark. RNs handle complex medical needs and medication, so ask about coverage during your visit.

Quality Measures

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating
3/ 5
Better Than Avg

13

measures

Worse Than Avg

3

measures

Mixed Results

1

measures

Long-Stay Residents
🚿

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility4.9%
Better than Avg
Here
4.9%
US
19.4%
CA
10.7%
Kern
14.0%
🚶

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better
This Facility5.5%
Better than Avg
Here
5.5%
US
15.3%
CA
10.5%
Kern
16.5%
🛏️

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better
This Facility3.9%
Better than Avg
Here
3.9%
US
14.4%
CA
10.4%
Kern
13.4%
💊

Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility23.6%
Worse than Avg
Here
23.6%
US
19.5%
CA
13.7%
Kern
17.0%
💊

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better
This Facility19.7%
Worse than Avg
Here
19.7%
US
15.5%
CA
11.7%
Kern
10.1%
💉

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
93.4%
CA
98.6%
Kern
99.2%
Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better
This Facility99.7%
Better than Avg
Here
99.7%
US
79.8%
CA
93.2%
Kern
93.2%
💉

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better
This Facility100.0%
Better than Avg
Here
100.0%
US
81.8%
CA
94.2%
Kern
92.9%
💊

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better
This Facility2.0%
Worse than Avg
Here
2.0%
US
1.6%
CA
1.5%
Kern
1.2%
Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

3-year lookback · Medicare 2026

28deficiencies
1penalties
Well above state avg (15.4)
62 complaint-triggered
$77,720 in fines

This facility has serious recurring problems with families filing numerous complaints about abuse reporting failures, care planning issues, and nursing staff competency. Most concerning are repeated deficiencies in timely reporting suspected abuse and neglect to authorities, inadequate care planning, and poor nursing services quality that persist across multiple surveys. While all violations show correction dates, the pattern of similar issues returning suggests systemic problems that families should carefully investigate before considering placement.

Apr 29, 2026Complaint
2
0580Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Jul 28, 2025Complaint
4
0552Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

0726Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

May 16, 2025Complaint
1
0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

May 15, 2025Complaint
2
0552Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

0849Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.

Apr 24, 2025Routine
25
0552Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

0726Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

0880Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

0947Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Ensure nurse aides have the skills they need to care for residents, and give nurse aides education in dementia care and abuse prevention.

0031Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies

Provide emergency officials' contact information.

0345Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

0655Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

0761Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

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.

0850Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Hire a qualified full-time social worker in a facility with more than 120 beds.

0867Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

0868Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

0584Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor 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.

0623Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.

0644Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0679Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.

0687Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate foot care.

0690Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.

0698Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.

0790Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide routine and 24-hour emergency dental care for each resident.

0842Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

0847Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Administration Deficiencies

Inform resident or representatives choice to enter into binding arbitration agreement and right to refuse.

0353Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Smoke Deficiencies

Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

Feb 25, 2025Complaint
2
0656Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Federal Penalties

Fine

Dec 7, 2023

$77,720

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Kern River Transitional Care

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Pacs Group

Chain Size

280 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.9/5 · Rank 259 of 260 (Worst)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Providence Group North LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Key personnel

Farrer, ToddContracted Managing EmployeeBlood, BryceW-2 Managing EmployeeApt, FrederickOfficer / DirectorHancock, MarkOfficer / DirectorJergensen, JoshuaOfficer / Director
Source: Medicare provider data

Contact

Get in Touch

Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.

References & Resources

EveryPlace is a research directory. Facility information is compiled from public sources — Medicare.gov, state licensing portals, Google Places, and publicly available street-level imagery. Listings do not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or advertisement, and we do not accept payment for placement. Families should verify all details directly with the facility and the original sources linked above before making any care decisions. See our Research Policy for our editorial standards, correction process, and image-removal policy.

Safer Alternatives Nearby

Based on current clinical data, we identified 6 nearby facilities within 10 miles that may offer a stronger care environment. We encourage families to compare options carefully.

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