195850240-2-3-2025-29-AS-KHEN-DE8PSU-20250225103455

Community Care Licensing

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 195850240
Report Date: 02/03/2025
Date Signed: 02/03/2025 11:57:33 AM

Unsubstantiated

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS N.ASC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD. #250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
01/27/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Angela Barutyan

COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 29-AS-20250127093828

FACILITY NAME:	VARIEL OF WOODLAND HILLS, THE		FACILITY NUMBER:	195850240
ADMINISTRATOR:	JOYCE AQUINO		FACILITY TYPE:	740
ADDRESS:	6233 VARIEL AVE		TELEPHONE:	(818) 651-6018
CITY:	WOODLAND HILLS	STATE: CA	ZIP CODE:	91367
CAPACITY:	436	CENSUS: 355	DATE:	02/03/2025
		UNANNOUNCED	TIME BEGAN:	10:07 AM
MET WITH:	Jessica Saks		TIME COMPLETED:	12:15 PM

ALLEGATION(S):

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9

Staff are not ensuring infection control practices are being followed
Staff did not notify appropriate agencies of outbreak

INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Angela Barutyan arrived at the facility unannounced to conduct an initial complaint investigation for the allegation listed above 10:06AM. Upon arrival, LPA met with staff, Executive Director (ED) Allison Marty, and Director of Nursing (DN) Jessica Saks. Entrance interview conducted.

During today’s visit, LPA conducted a brief physical plant tour, conducted interviews with three (3) staff members and three (3) residents, and reviewed and obtained copies of pertinent documents relevant to the investigation.

It was alleged that the facility had a norovirus outbreak and did not ensure infection control practices are being followed. The facility has a current infection control plan that is reviewed and updated. Interviews confirmed that the dining room and other common areas such as the fitness center and bistro were closed to prevent, contain, and mitigate the spread of the virus. Continued on LIC 9099-C.

Unsubstantiated

Estimated Days of Completion:

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kristin Heffernan
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Angela Barutyan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/03/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/03/2025

This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 1 of 2

Control Number 29-AS-20250127093828

STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
WOODLAND HILLS N.ASC, 21731 VENTURA BLVD. #250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364

FACILITY NAME: VARIEL OF WOODLAND HILLS, THE	FACILITY NUMBER: 195850240
	VISIT DATE: 02/03/2025

NARRATIVE

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32

Other infection control measures were taken such as increasing housekeeping/janitorial services and sanitization, using personal protective equipment (PPE) such as masks and gloves, closing all eating venues, meal delivery to each residential unit in disposable containers and utensils, self-isolating symptomatic residents until 48 hours after symptoms resolve, and providing in-service trainings to staff on hand hygiene, disinfecting, and proper PPE use. Interviews with staff and residents confirmed the measures used by the facility. LPA reviewed email communications and announcements documenting that families and residents were notified on 01/25/2025 of the closure of the dining venues in efforts to “prevent the spread of the stomach virus currently affecting residents” and that meals will be delivered to resident apartments. Information obtained through interview and record review did not include evidence sufficient to corroborate the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not sufficient evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation “Staff are not ensuring infection control practices are being followed” is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

It was further alleged that staff did not notify appropriate agencies of outbreak. Community Care Licensing (CCL) received multiple incident reports within 24 hours of symptom onset. Reports were received on 01/24/2025 for fifteen (15) residents exhibiting symptoms of diarrhea, fever, and vomiting; seven (7) beginning on 01/22/2025 and eight (8) beginning on 01/23/2025. Regulation states that outbreaks shall be reported within 24 hours, and it is noted that the reports were received at 12:01AM on 01/24/2025. CCL received reports on 01/25/2025 for three (3) residents with onset of 01/25/2025 and six (6) residents with onset of 01/24/2025. LPA reviewed records documenting that Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH) was notified by facility staff on 01/23/2025. Facility staff followed LACDPH’s infection control guidelines. Line lists were updated when new staff/residents developed symptoms. Six (6) stool samples were collected from residents and were confirmed to be norovirus on 01/29/2025. No new cases were reported by 01/31/2025. Information obtained through interview and record review did not include evidence sufficient to corroborate the allegation. Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not sufficient evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation “Staff did not notify appropriate agencies of outbreak” is deemed UNSUBSTANTIATED at this time.

No deficiencies cited at this time. Exit interview conducted. A copy of the report was issued.

SUPERVISORS NAME: Kristin Heffernan
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Angela Barutyan
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:	DATE: 02/03/2025

I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.

FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 02/03/2025

LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)

Page: 2 of 2