Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz, a 92-bed for profit - limited liability company nursing facility in Santa Cruz, CA, holds a 4-star CMS overall rating - well above the 3.0-star national average, ranking #276 of 1,154 rated homes in CA on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing above the national norm. 3 inspection findings reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.
CMS combines health inspections, nurse-staffing levels, and clinical quality measures into the overall star rating, read the components below; they often tell a sharper story than the headline.
Phone: 8314756323
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- 4 / 5
- Above average · CMS overall · nat'l 3.0
- #276 of 1,154
- In-state rank among rated CA homes
- 3.98
- About average · nurse hrs/day · nat'l 3.86
- 50
- Inspection findings · 3 serious
The verdict
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz, a 92-bed for profit - limited liability company nursing facility in Santa Cruz, CA, holds a 4-star CMS overall rating - well above the 3.0-star national average, ranking #276 of 1,154 rated homes in CA on CMS overall stars (with health+staffing+quality tie-breaks), with nurse staffing above the national norm. 3 inspection findings reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.
- 4 / 5
- CMS overall · national 3.0
- #276 of 1,154
- In-state rank among rated CA homes
- 3.98
- Nurse hrs/resident-day · national 3.86
- 50
- Inspection findings · 3 serious
CMS force-curves overall stars within each state; read health, staffing, and quality sub-ratings alongside the headline.
In-state ownership mix · peer inventory
How 1,165 CA nursing homes split by ownership sector
This facility is recorded as For profit - Limited Liability company. Sector buckets collapse CMS ownership_type into For-profit, Nonprofit, and Government, orthogonal to the RN/LPN/CNA hour bar below.
Health Inspection
Staffing
Quality Measures
Long-Stay Quality
Facility Information
- Provider Number
- 055109
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Provider Type
- Medicare and Medicaid
- Beds
- 92
- Residents
- 85
- In Hospital
- No
- County
- Santa Cruz
- Last Inspection
- Dec 12, 2025
Staffing Data
How the 3.98 total nursing hours per resident-day are staffed:
- RN Hours
- 0.68 (nat'l avg: 0.69)
- LPN Hours
- 0.63
- CNA Hours
- 2.67
- Total Nursing Hours
- 3.98 (nat'l avg: 3.86)
- PT Hours
- 0.04
- Nursing Turnover
- 46.2%
- RN Turnover
- 50.0%
What the CMS Record Reveals About Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
According to CMS Nursing Home Compare, Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz ranks #276 of 1,154 rated nursing homes in CA on overall stars (tie-broken by health+staffing+quality, then fewer fines). Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz operates 92 certified beds in Santa Cruz, CA with approximately 85 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars (health inspection 3★ · staffing 4★ · quality 5★).
The inspection file contains 50 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 3 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. This provider's enforcement record shows no fines or payment denials to date. Per resident day, this facility reports 3.98 total nursing hours (national average 3.86) and 0.68 RN hours.
Classified as "For profit - Limited Liability company" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz falls into a category where comparative context matters. Reported nursing staff turnover at this facility is 46.2% (CMS payroll-based measure).
Why sub-scores and the CMS methodology matter
The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results, staffing levels, and quality measures. 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.
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. The staffing metric in particular is the one most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.
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 the same record on Medicare.gov Care Compare and with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.
Deficiency History (50 most recent)
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: Jan 9, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 9, 2026
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: Jan 9, 2026
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 9, 2026
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: Jan 9, 2026
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 rail.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jan 9, 2026
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Category: Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 21, 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: Oct 31, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
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.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 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: Jul 17, 2024
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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 17, 2024
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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 limited.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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 rail.
Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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: Jul 17, 2024
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Jul 17, 2024
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: Mar 27, 2024
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: Mar 13, 2024
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: Jan 30, 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: Oct 30, 2023
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: Oct 30, 2023
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: Sep 12, 2022
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 12, 2022
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 limited.
Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 12, 2022
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: Sep 12, 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: Sep 12, 2022
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 12, 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: Sep 12, 2022
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: Sep 12, 2022
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Category: Infection Control Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 12, 2022
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Category: Environmental Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 12, 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: Sep 12, 2022
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
Category: Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Corrected: Sep 12, 2022
Quality Measures
| Measure | Type | Score | Used in Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 6.3% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 3.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 7.1% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 0.5% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 15.8% | Yes |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | Short Stay | 0.0% | Yes |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | Long Stay | 6.8% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | Long Stay | 0.4% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | Long Stay | 0.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Long Stay | 98.3% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | Long Stay | 12.0% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Long Stay | 97.6% | No |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | Long Stay | 16.9% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | Short Stay | 100.0% | No |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | Short Stay | 96.2% | No |
Penalty History
No penalties on record.
Nationwide facilities with similar scale or staffing
Two data-derived peer sets for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz, both outside CA so the neighborhoods are not the same-state geography list below.
Similar bed count
Nearest CMS certified bed counts outside CA (92 beds here).
Similar staffing hours
Nearest CMS adjusted total nurse hours per resident day outside CA (4.75 here).
Nearby Nursing Homes in CA
1,164 other nursing homes are on record in CA; 6 are shown here.
A Grace Sub Acute & Skilled Care
San Jose, CA
Acc Care Center
Sacramento, CA
Advanced Health Care of Sacramento
Sacramento, CA
Advanced Rehab Center of Tustin
Santa Ana, CA
Adventist Health Delano
Delano, CA
Adventist Health Sonora - D/P SNF
Sonora, CA
Understanding Nursing Home Data
What the CMS records show for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
The health, staffing, and quality sub-ratings above often diverge from the CMS overall headline. Use those components and the inspection findings to read the full file, not the overall star alone.
- The CA registry aggregates state averages and the highest-rated homes in this cohort. View CA registry
- Peer homes near 92 beds show how CMS stars vary at a similar scale in CA. Compare a similar-size peer
- CMS publishes separate fields for inspections, nurse staffing hours, and quality measures; the guide explains how each star is computed. How CMS ratings work
CMS refreshes Nursing Home Compare quarterly (current extract: August 2026). PlainNursing describes published records; it does not establish suitability, availability, admissions, or individual outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overall CMS rating for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz?
Where does Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz rank among nursing homes in CA?
What are the staffing levels at Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz?
How many beds does Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz have?
Does Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz have any deficiencies on record?
Has Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz received any fines or penalties?
Who owns Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz?
When was Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz last inspected?
What quality measures are tracked for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz?
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. Verify the same CCN on Medicare.gov Care Compare and with the facility or your state health department.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
