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Nursing home report card · Santa Cruz, CA

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz

675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062

Call this home: (831) 475-6323

View this home on Medicare.gov ↗

Infection-control problems noted

Quick summary

Review the ratings and inspection history below

Use the star ratings as a quick grade, then read what inspectors actually wrote. Numbers alone do not tell the whole story for any one resident.

Our summary of public Medicare records. It does not establish that this home harmed a particular resident. About this summary.

How recent is this information?
Medicare file prepared
Aug 1, 2026
Our record last updated
Oct 15, 2026
Last routine health inspection
Dec 12, 2025

These dates mean different things. A new file can include older inspections and staffing figures. Read about the dates.

Medicare ratings

One star is the lowest rating. Five stars is the highest. Ratings are a starting point—read the inspection findings too.

Overall rating
4out of 5

Combines inspection, staffing, and care measures.

Above average

Health inspections
3out of 5

Based on problems found during health inspections.

About average for U.S. nursing homes

Nursing staff
4out of 5

Based on staffing levels and related measures.

Above average

Health and care results
5out of 5

Based on reported health and care results.

Among the highest Medicare ratings

What do the ratings and warnings mean?
Medicare ratings
One star is the lowest rating. Five stars is the highest. These are government ratings, not family reviews.
Inspection problems
Inspectors found that a home did not meet a care or safety rule. The official term is “deficiency.”
Abuse warning
Medicare has flagged the home because of abuse-related inspection findings. Read the findings and dates.
Nursing staff time
Average staff hours for each resident per day. This does not mean each resident gets that much one-to-one care.

Learn about the records and their limits →

At a glance

These numbers come from the records we have. Inspection problems are rules the home did not meet. The dates covered can differ.

Care and safety problems
51

Care, safety, and resident-rights issues on recent inspections

Fire-safety problems
0

Building, alarms, exits, and related safety citations

Reported fines
$0

Total fine amounts in the imported penalty records

Medicare file prepared
Aug 1, 2026

Medicare home ID: 055109

Inspection findings to read first

Start with these past findings. We show the most serious first, then the most recent. They do not describe the home’s condition today.

  • Caused actual harm · isolated case

    Mar 19, 2024 · Inspection rule 0689

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

  • Caused actual harm · isolated case

    Mar 4, 2024 · Inspection rule 0689

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

  • Caused actual harm · isolated case

    Jan 18, 2024 · Inspection rule 0755

    Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

Read the inspection history →

Nursing staff time

These are average staff hours for each resident per day. They are not one-to-one bedside care. The file does not give the reporting period for each figure.

Registered nurses (RNs)
0.68hours per resident per day

about 41 minutes per resident per day

All nursing staff
3.98hours per resident per day

about 3 hr 59 min per resident per day

Registered nurse time on weekends
0.52hours per resident per day

about 31 minutes per resident per day

Latest inspection summary

A summary of the most recent routine inspections. You can open the dated findings below.

We do not have a routine inspection summary for this home. Check the dated findings below and the Medicare.gov record.

How this home compares

Compared with state and national averages. The numbers may cover different periods.

  • Overall CMS rating: 4 stars
  • Health inspection rating: 3 stars
  • Staffing rating: 4 stars
  • Registered nurse time per resident: 0.68 hours/day
  • Total nurse time per resident: 3.98 hours/day
See the dates used for these averages

Medicare file dates: this home Aug 1, 2026; California averages Unavailable; U.S. averages Oct 1, 2026.

Other concerns in the records

These points may be worth asking about. They do not establish what happened to a particular resident. See our Terms of Use.

  • Recent citations include infection-control problems
  • Inspectors have listed an unusually high number of problems

How serious were the problems?

Inspectors rate each problem by how much harm it caused or could cause. We group the CMS letter codes into plain language.

  • Caused actual harm3 citations
  • Could have caused harm48 citations

Why inspectors showed up

Routine checks happen on a schedule. Complaint visits happen when someone reports a concern.

Complaints
0
Routine
51
Fire safety
0
Other
0

Who owns it

Names CMS lists as owners or managers · reported as For profit - Limited Liability company.

  • We do not have individual owner names for this home.

Other homes in this group: All Mariner Health Care nursing homes

Inspection history

Open a date to read what inspectors found. The harm labels explain how serious the problem was at the time.

December 12, 20256 findings
  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code E

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0812 · code E

    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0755 · code D

    Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0700 · code E

    Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed r…

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0761 · code E

    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.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0805 · code E

    Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

August 22, 20251 finding
  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0609 · code D

    Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

October 2, 20241 finding
  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code D

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

June 24, 202425 findings
  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0552 · code E

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

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0758 · code E

    Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is…

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0804 · code E

    Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0812 · code E

    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0814 · code E

    Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0919 · code E

    Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0921 · code E

    Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0578 · code D

    Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0583 · code D

    Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0656 · code D

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

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0684 · code D

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

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0690 · code D

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

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0756 · code D

    Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0757 · code D

    Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0759 · code D

    Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0761 · code D

    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.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0806 · code D

    Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0809 · code D

    Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0909 · code D

    Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code F

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0745 · code E

    Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0657 · code E

    Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0700 · code E

    Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed r…

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0741 · code E

    Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0755 · code E

    Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

March 19, 20241 finding
  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Caused actual harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code G

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

March 4, 20241 finding
  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Caused actual harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code G

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

January 18, 20241 finding
  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Caused actual harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0755 · code G

    Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

October 9, 20231 finding
  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0656 · code D

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

October 6, 20231 finding
  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code D

    Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

August 19, 202213 findings
  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0755 · code D

    Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0756 · code D

    Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0758 · code D

    Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is…

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0759 · code D

    Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0806 · code D

    Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0801 · code F

    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 problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0802 · code F

    Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0908 · code F

    Keep all essential equipment working safely.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0812 · code F

    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code E

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0561 · code D

    Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0584 · code D

    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.

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0658 · code D

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

Fines & penalties

These fines appear in Medicare’s records. A listed amount does not tell us whether it has been paid.

  • No fines or penalties appear in the records we have.

Other homes in this chain

Mariner Health Care · other locations in California

Related topics

Questions about Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz

What is Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz's Medicare star rating?
As of August 1, 2026, Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, California has an overall CMS rating of 4 out of 5 stars. Other CMS scores: health inspection 3 of 5, staffing 4 of 5, quality measures 5 of 5. These are CMS ratings based on inspection, staffing, and quality information, not consumer reviews.
Has Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz been fined?
The imported record gives a fine total of $0 for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, California. This does not establish that the home has never been fined.
Does Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz have a Medicare abuse warning?
No. The current CMS Care Compare extract does not show an abuse warning icon for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, California.
How does Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz compare with other nursing homes in California?
Its overall CMS rating is 4 out of 5. A rating comparison is withheld because a matching source date or a usable rating is missing. Use the California report card and dated inspection history for context; inspection totals alone are not a like-for-like performance comparison.

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