Buena Vista Care Center
Open-data reference.
Buena Vista Care Center is a for profit - corporation facility in Santa Barbara, CA with 150 certified beds and a 2-star overall CMS rating. The facility has 45 deficiency records on file. Total penalties: $68K.
160 South Patterson Avenue, Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Phone: 8059644871
Overall Rating
Health Inspection
Staffing
Quality Measures
Long-Stay Quality
Facility Information
- Provider Number
- 555394
- Ownership
- For profit - Corporation
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 150
- Residents
- 117
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Santa Barbara
- Last Inspection
- Jan 17, 2025
Staffing Data
- RN Hours
- 0.25 (nat'l avg: 0.68)
- LPN Hours
- 0.71
- CNA Hours
- 1.67
- Total Nursing Hours
- 2.64 (nat'l avg: 3.89)
- PT Hours
- 0.02
What the CMS Record Reveals About Buena Vista Care Center
Buena Vista Care Center operates 150 certified beds in Santa Barbara, CA with approximately 117 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 2 out of 5 stars. The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results (2★), staffing levels (1★), and quality measures (5★). Because CMS caps the overall score at the health-inspection tier and then adjusts up or down based on staffing and quality, the sub-scores often tell a sharper story than the headline star count alone — a 3-star facility with weak inspection history reads differently from one held back by thin staffing.
The inspection file contains 45 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 2 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. On the enforcement side, CMS has assessed 1 penalty totaling $68K against this provider, a tangible indicator that regulators moved beyond citation into financial consequence. Staffing is reported at 2.64 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.89), with RN coverage at 0.25 per resident day — the single staffing metric most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.
Classified as "For profit - Corporation" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Buena Vista Care Center falls into a category where comparative context matters. National research consistently shows that ownership structure, staffing hours, and turnover are the three operational levers that correlate most strongly with resident outcomes — ratings and fines are lagging indicators of those upstream choices. For families evaluating this facility, the CMS record should be read alongside a site visit, direct conversation with current residents and their families, and review of the state health department's most recent inspection report — the star rating is a starting point, not a verdict. All data on this page is sourced from CMS Provider Data and the Nursing Home Compare program; always verify details directly with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.
Deficiency History (45 most recent)
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 15, 2025
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 17, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Dec 17, 2025
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 1, 2025
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: May 16, 2025
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 15, 2025
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 14, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 14, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 17, 2025
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 17, 2025
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 17, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 17, 2025
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Feb 17, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 3, 2024
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2024
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 15, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 22, 2024
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 8, 2024
Have policies on smoking.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 1, 2023
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 1, 2023
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 1, 2023
Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.
Category: Administration Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 15, 2023
Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
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.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: May 3, 2022
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 20, 2019
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.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 11, 2019
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 9, 2019
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 20, 2019
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 8, 2019
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Apr 10, 2019
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 8, 2019
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 20, 2019
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 20, 2019
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 20, 2019
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 20, 2019
Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 15, 2019
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 8, 2019
Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Mar 8, 2019
Quality Measures
| Measure | Type | Score | Used in Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 3.7% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 4.6% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.7% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.3% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 0.6% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | Long Stay | 0.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 3.7% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Long Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 7.3% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 3.3% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 4.5% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 13.8% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 5.3% | Yes |
Penalty History 1 penalties totaling $68K
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 3, 2025 | Fine | $68K |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall CMS rating for Buena Vista Care Center?
What are the staffing levels at Buena Vista Care Center?
How many beds does Buena Vista Care Center have?
Does Buena Vista Care Center have any deficiencies on record?
Has Buena Vista Care Center received any fines or penalties?
Who owns Buena Vista Care Center?
When was Buena Vista Care Center last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for Buena Vista Care Center?
Data Sources
Data source: CMS Nursing Home Compare. Ratings, staffing, deficiency, quality measure, and penalty data are from CMS Provider Data. For informational purposes only. Always verify information directly with the facility or your state health department.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.