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Medicare-certifiedSkilled Nursing

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CaliforniaMedicare inspection record
(831) 475-6323

About Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz

Driftwood Healthcare Center brings compassionate skilled nursing and rehabilitation to Santa Cruz, California. Our experienced care team focuses on restoring strength and independence through personalized recovery plans, evidence-based therapies, and thoughtful support during life's pivotal moments.

Community at a glance

Capacity

92 residents

Location

Santa Cruz, CA

Status

Listed in a public registry

Care & services offered

Skilled Nursing

Contact & location

675 24TH AVENUE, Santa Cruz, California 95062

(831) 475-6323

Medicare inspection record

From CMS Care Compare, the federal record every Medicare-certified nursing home is held to. Data as of September 1, 2026. Check it on Medicare.gov

At its most recent standard inspection, on December 12, 2025, state inspectors cited 8 health deficiencies (the California average is 15.5).

Nurses and nurse aides spend 3 hours 59 minutes with each resident a day, below the California average of 4 hours 31 minutes.

Medicare has not fined Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in the last three years.

Staffing

MeasureThis home
Nurse and aide time per resident, per day3 hours 59 minutesBelow the California average
Registered nurse time per resident, per day41 minutes
Nursing staff who left in the past year46%Above the California average

1 administrator has left the home in the past year.

Inspections

38 health citations in the last three years. Each one is a federal standard inspectors found the home was not meeting.

July 15, 2026 · Complaint investigation · 2 citations

  • Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Quality of Life and CareFrom a complaintCorrected Aug 12, 2026
  • Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Resident Assessment and Care PlanningFrom a complaintCorrected Aug 12, 2026

December 12, 2025 · Standard inspection · 6 citations

  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Infection ControlCorrected Jan 9, 2026
  • Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected Jan 9, 2026
  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Quality of Life and CareCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected Jan 9, 2026
  • Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected Jan 9, 2026
August 22, 2025 · Complaint investigation · 1 citation+
  • Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and ExploitationFrom a complaintCorrected Sep 21, 2025
October 2, 2024 · Complaint investigation · 1 citation+
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Quality of Life and CareFrom a complaintCorrected Oct 31, 2024
June 24, 2024 · Standard inspection · 25 citations+
  • Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, widespread (level F)Infection ControlCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)EnvironmentalCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Quality of Life and CareCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Resident Assessment and Care PlanningCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Quality of Life and CareCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Resident RightsCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)EnvironmentalCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a pattern (level E)Quality of Life and CareCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Resident RightsCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Quality of Life and CareCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Quality of Life and CareCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Resident RightsCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected Jul 17, 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)EnvironmentalCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Nutrition and DietaryCorrected Jul 17, 2024
  • Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Pharmacy ServiceCorrected 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.

    Risk of harm, no one hurt, a few residents (level D)Resident Assessment and Care PlanningCorrected Jul 17, 2024
March 19, 2024 · Complaint investigation · 1 citation+
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Residents were harmed, a few residents (level G)Quality of Life and CareFrom a complaintCorrected Mar 27, 2024
March 4, 2024 · Complaint investigation · 1 citation+
  • Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

    Residents were harmed, a few residents (level G)Quality of Life and CareFrom a complaintCorrected Mar 13, 2024
January 18, 2024 · Complaint investigation · 1 citation+
  • Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.

    Residents were harmed, a few residents (level G)Pharmacy ServiceFrom a complaintCorrected Jan 30, 2024

Fines and payment denials

No fines or Medicare payment denials in the last three years.

About the home, per Medicare

Ownership
For profit - Limited Liability company
Legal business name
Driftwood Santa Cruz Operating Company Lp
Medicare-certified beds
92
Average residents per day
85
Accepts
Medicare and Medicaid
First certified
June 1, 1969
Part of a chain
Mariner Health Care, 17 homes
Inside a hospital
No
Continuing care retirement community
No
Resident or family council
Resident
Sprinklers in all required areas
Yes
CMS Certification Number
055109

Location

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675 24TH AVENUESanta Cruz, CA 95062

12 other communities within 10 miles

Senior living near Santa Cruz

Questions about Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz

How did Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz do on its last inspection?+

State inspectors visited on December 12, 2025 and cited 8 health deficiencies, 2 of them from complaint investigations. The California average is 15.5.

How much nursing care does each resident get at Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz?+

Nurses and aides spend 3 hours 59 minutes with each resident per day, including 41 minutes from registered nurses. 46% of nursing staff left over the past year.

Has Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz been fined by Medicare?+

Medicare's records show no fines against Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in the last three years.

Does Medicare cover skilled nursing?+

Medicare covers up to 100 days of skilled nursing per benefit period after a qualifying 3-day hospital stay — fully for the first 20 days, then with a daily copay. Long-term custodial stays are generally not covered.

How much does a nursing home cost?+

A semi-private room averages about $7,900 per month nationally; private rooms cost more. Medicaid is the largest payer for long-term nursing home care.

What is the CMS star rating?+

Medicare rates nursing homes 1 to 5 stars on its Care Compare site. We don't repeat those stars here. Each nursing home page shows Medicare's underlying record instead: inspections, staffing and fines, with a link to check it on Medicare.gov.

Senior living in Santa Cruz Skilled Nursing in California Skilled Nursing guide Information last updated October 2026