<meta name="robots" content="noindex">
Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 374603625
Report Date: 10/30/2025
Date Signed: 10/30/2025 05:45:14 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/20/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Amy Rodgers
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20251020125636
FACILITY NAME:STELLAR CAREFACILITY NUMBER:
374603625
ADMINISTRATOR:BRANDON CHOFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:4518 54TH STREETTELEPHONE:
(619) 287-2920
CITY:SAN DIEGOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92115
CAPACITY:150CENSUS: DATE:
10/30/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:30 PM
MET WITH:Executive Director Brandon ChoTIME COMPLETED:
04:50 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Licensee did not dispose of an injection needle as required.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rodgers conducted an unannounced visit to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegation. LPA introduced themselves and disclosed the purpose of the visit to Executive Director Brandon Cho.

On 10/20/2025, it was alleged that Licensee did not dispose of an injection needle as required.
More specifically, the Reporting Party (RP) observed that the insulin pen still had a used needle attached without a safety cap. RP expressed concern that staff may have failed to properly dispose of the used needle.

The Department’s investigation consisted of unannounced facility visits, interviews with facility staff, review of relevant records, and observation of facility practices.

(Continued on LIC 9099)
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
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 4
Control Number 08-AS-20251020125636
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: STELLAR CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 374603625
VISIT DATE: 10/30/2025
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
(Continued from LIC9099)

Staff interviews revealed that on the date in question, Staff #1 (S1) prepared an insulin needle tip kit for Resident 1 (R1) in anticipation of administering insulin prior to an off-site outing. The needle safety guard was removed during preparation. However, R1 refused the injection, stating they would not be eating due to plans to dine out. S1 and R1 reported that the needle was not used, and the protective cap was replaced immediately. The needle was then placed in the medicine transport bag prepared for R1’s outing. Multiple staff confirmed that the needle remained unused and was not exposed to any blood, bodily fluids, or unclean surfaces.

Records review revealed no documentation indicating improper disposal or contamination. LPA observations revealed that facility practices for medication preparation and transport were consistent with safe handling procedures.

Based on a review of Title 22 regulations and infection control standards, the requirement to dispose of a needle generally applies when the needle has been used or is considered contaminated. In this case, the needle remained unused, capped, and was not compromised.


Although the concern was acknowledged, there is insufficient evidence to support that the licensee failed to dispose of an injection needle as required. The needle was unused, not contaminated, and handled in a manner consistent with safe medication practices. Therefore, the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

An exit interview was conducted with Administrator Cho, to whom a copy of this report, and the Licensee Appeal Rights (LIC 9058 03/22) were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 4
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
10/20/2025 and conducted by Evaluator Amy Rodgers
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 08-AS-20251020125636

FACILITY NAME:STELLAR CAREFACILITY NUMBER:
374603625
ADMINISTRATOR:BRANDON CHOFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:4518 54TH STREETTELEPHONE:
(619) 287-2920
CITY:SAN DIEGOSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
92115
CAPACITY:150CENSUS: DATE:
10/30/2025
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
12:30 PM
MET WITH:Executive Director Brandon ChoTIME COMPLETED:
04:50 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Licensee did not safeguard resident's belongings.
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) Rodgers conducted an unannounced visit to deliver findings regarding the above complaint allegations. LPA introduced themselves and disclosed the purpose of the visit to Executive Director Brandon Cho.

On 10/20/2025, it was alleged that Licensee failed to safeguard resident belongings. More Specifically, The Reporting Party (RP) stated that R1 glucose monitor was missing and expressed concern that the facility may not have taken appropriate steps to protect or track the items.

Licensing Program Analyst (LPA) conducted interviews with facility staff and the reside
nt, and reviewed documentation related to personal property as well as a tour of the medication room.
(Continued on LIC9099)
Unfounded
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 3 of 4
Control Number 08-AS-20251020125636
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)		CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
SAN DIEGO RO, 7575 METROPOLITAN DR. #109
SAN DIEGO, CA 92108
FACILITY NAME: STELLAR CARE
FACILITY NUMBER: 374603625
VISIT DATE: 10/30/2025
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
(continued from LIC9099)

Staff interviews revealed that Staff #1 (S1) had placed the resident’s glucose monitor in the medication cart after use. S1 acknowledged that the monitor was not returned to the resident’s bag prior to the outing but confirmed that the item was not lost or mishandled. LPA observations revealed that the glucose monitor was present and stored with other medical equipment on the medication cart.

The investigation revealed that the glucose monitor was not missing but had been placed on the medication cart. We have found that the complaint was UNFOUNDED, meaning that the allegation was false, could not have happened and/or is without a reasonable basis.

An exit interview was conducted with Administrator Cho, to whom a copy of this report, and the Licensee Appeal Rights (LIC 9058 03/22) were provided.
SUPERVISORS NAME: Simon Jacob
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Amy Rodgers
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 10/30/2025
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 4 of 4