Use this free decoder while reading any nursing home inspection report or facility citation record.
Decode CMS F-tags, K-tags, and severity letters
Nursing home inspection reports are public, but they are written for regulators. This decoder translates the codes families see on facility reports into plain English: what the problem means, how serious it was, whether it repeated, and what to ask before choosing care.
F-tags
Health inspection codes for resident care, staffing, medication, abuse, infection control, food safety, and rights.
K-tags
Life Safety Code findings for fire doors, sprinklers, exits, alarms, emergency power, drills, and electrical systems.
Severity letters
A-L ratings show whether residents were harmed, how widespread the issue was, and whether life or safety was in immediate danger.
Quick severity guide
No harm or minimal risk.
No harm yet, but the problem could worsen.
A resident was harmed.
Immediate danger or widespread serious risk.
Get the decoder by email
We will send you this decoder link so you can use it while reviewing a facility report or talking with an administrator.