Federal inspection record · CMS data as of October 1, 2026
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA · (831) 475-6323
- Certified beds
- 92
- Residents per day
- 84
- Ownership
- For-Profit
- Chain
- Mariner Health Care
- Medicare / Medicaid
- Medicare + Medicaid
- Certified since
- June 1, 1969
1
How this home got 3 stars
The overall rating isn't an average. CMS starts from the inspection rating and nudges it at most two steps. Here is the arithmetic for this home, using CMS's own rules.
-
Health inspections
★★★★★starting point
Everything starts from what state inspectors found on site. This is a ranking against other homes in California.
-
Staffing
★★★★★no change
Only a 5-star staffing rating adds a star, and only a 1-star rating removes one. Ratings of 2 to 4 change nothing.
-
Quality measures
★★★★★+1 star
Same rule: 5 stars adds one, 1 star takes one away. These measures are mostly reported by the home itself.
-
Overall
★★★★★3 of 5
Matches the rating CMS publishes on Care Compare.
2
Where it sits among California homes
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz carries 104 inspection points. That is fewer than 37% of California's 1,154 rated homes.
Inspectors' citations earn points by how serious and how widespread they were (the grid below). CMS then ranks every home in California: the 10% with the fewest points get 5 stars, the 20% with the most get 1 star, and the middle 70% split evenly into 2, 3 and 4.
- 5★ 0–33 pts
- 4★ 33–66 pts
- 3★ 66–96 pts
- 2★ 96–146 pts
- 1★ over 146 pts
Bars show every rated home in California by its weighted inspection score. CMS recalibrates the cut points monthly but holds a home's rating until its own score changes, so a home can sit just outside today's band.
3
What inspectors found
54 health citations on record since 2022. Each one gets a letter: the row says how badly residents were affected, the column how many.
Immediate jeopardyResidents at risk of serious injury or death
Actual harmA resident was hurt
Potential for harmNo one was hurt, but could have been
Minimal harmPaperwork-level problems
Read the rows, not the total. Most citations nationwide are a D: one problem, nobody hurt. Rows G–I mean a resident was harmed; J–L mean inspectors found residents in immediate danger of serious injury or death.
Small numbers in each cell are the inspection points CMS assigns per citation. Those points are what the state curve above ranks.
Harm and immediate-jeopardy citations (3)
-
G
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
-
G
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
-
G
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Everything else, by area of care
Pharmacy Service12E
- 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.
- D
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
- E
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
- 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 limited.
- D
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
- D
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
- D
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
- 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.
- D
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
- D
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
- 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 limited.
- D
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Nutrition and Dietary11F
- E
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
- E
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
- E
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
- E
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
- E
Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
- D
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
- 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.
- 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.
- F
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
- F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
- D
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Quality of Life and Care9E
- E
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
- 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 rail.
- D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- 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 rail.
- E
Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
- E
Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
- D
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
- 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.
- D
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning6E
- D
Notify the appropriate authorities when residents with MD or ID services has a significant change in condition.
- D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- E
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
- D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
- D
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Rights5E
- E
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
- 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.
- D
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
- D
Honor the resident's right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice.
- 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.
Environmental4F
- E
Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
- E
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
- 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.
- F
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Infection Control3F
- E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation1D
- D
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Inspection history
2025-12-12
9 health deficiencies · 11 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Nutrition and Dietary (2 deficiencies)
2024-06-24
27 health deficiencies · 17 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Pharmacy Service (6 deficiencies)
2022-08-19
18 health deficiencies · 6 fire-safety deficiencies
Top issue: Pharmacy Service (5 deficiencies)
4
Nursing time per resident, per day
Each resident here gets about 4 h 3 min of nursing staff time a day, 41 min of it from a registered nurse.
This home
4 h 3 min
California average
4 h 33 min
U.S. average
3 h 54 min
- Registered nurse
- Licensed practical nurse
- Nurse aide
Turnover: 44% of nursing staff and 42% of registered nurses left in the past year, along with 1 administrator.
Reported hours from payroll data the home submits to CMS, divided by its daily resident count. Not adjusted for how sick residents are.
5
Resident outcomes
Quality measures compared with state and national averages. Most come from assessments the home itself reports.
| Measure | This home | State | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days1.2 pts better | 1.0 | 2.2 | 1.8 |
| Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days0.5 pts worse | 2.0 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine1 pts better | 99.7% | 98.7% | 93.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine2.1 pts better | 100.0% | 97.9% | 95.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury2 pts worse | 3.6% | 1.6% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms7.2 pts better | 0.4% | 7.6% | 13.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight3.5 pts worse | 7.6% | 4.1% | 5.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication3 pts better | 10.7% | 13.7% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication0.4 pts better | 11.9% | 12.3% | 15.4% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained0.3 pts better | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened1.2 pts better | 7.7% | 8.9% | 12.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased2.5 pts better | 7.7% | 10.2% | 13.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder0.7 pts better | 0.0% | 0.7% | 0.7% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection1.2 pts better | 0.0% | 1.2% | 1.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence4.2 pts worse | 14.0% | 9.8% | 18.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers3.8 pts better | 0.5% | 4.3% | 4.5% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine5.4 pts better | 100.0% | 94.6% | 82.3% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit0.8 pts better | 10.3% | 11.1% | 11.8% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication1.3 pts better | 0.0% | 1.3% | 1.5% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine6.9 pts better | 100.0% | 93.1% | 80.1% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission1.4 pts worse | 24.0% | 22.6% | 23.4% |
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Who owns and runs it
22 owners and managers reported to CMS. The last column counts how many nursing homes each one is tied to.
Show ownership list
| Name | Role | Share | Homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gc Operating Company LLC | 5% Or Greater Direct Ownership Interest · Organization | 99% | 6 facilities |
| Beduya, Rowena | Corporate Director · Individual | 0% | 16 facilities |
| Capital Funding LLC | 5% Or Greater Direct Ownership Interest · Organization | 0% | 21 facilities |
| Driftwood Santa Cruz Holding Company Gp LLC | General Partnership Interest · Organization | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Gc Operating Company LLC | Limited Partnership Interest · Organization | 0% | 6 facilities |
| Grancare LLC | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Organization | 0% | 17 facilities |
| Grunstein, Emily | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Individual | 0% | 17 facilities |
| Hadfield, Kevin | Managing Control - Governing Body · Individual | 0% | 2 facilities |
| Hadfield, Kevin | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 2 facilities |
| Hadfield, Kevin | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 2 facilities |
| Kaur, Navdeep | Managing Control - Governing Body · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Kaur, Navdeep | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Kaur, Navdeep | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 1 facilities |
| Mariner Health Care, Inc. | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Organization | 0% | 16 facilities |
| Mhc Holding Company | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Organization | 0% | 17 facilities |
| Mhc West Holding Company | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Organization | 0% | 17 facilities |
| National Senior Care, Inc. | 5% Or Greater Indirect Ownership Interest · Organization | 0% | 17 facilities |
| Sabounchi, Saman | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 5 facilities |
| Sabounchi, Saman | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 5 facilities |
| Sarcauga, Dennis | Managing Control - Governing Body · Individual | 0% | 16 facilities |
| Sarcauga, Dennis | Operational/Managerial Control · Individual | 0% | 16 facilities |
| Sarcauga, Dennis | Adp Of The SNF · Individual | 0% | 16 facilities |
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Fire safety
34 life-safety citations (sprinklers, exits, alarms). These don't count toward the star rating.
Smoke13F
- F
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
- F
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
- D
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
- D
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- F
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- D
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
- D
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
- E
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
- E
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
- D
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
- D
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Emergency Preparedness8F
- C
Provide primary/alternate means for communication.
- F
Address subsistence needs for staff and patients.
- F
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
- E
Develop Emergency Preparedness policies and procedures.
- E
Develop a communication plan.
- E
Establish emergency prep training and testing.
- E
Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP).
- D
Provide emergency officials' contact information.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems4F
- F
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
- D
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
- D
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
- D
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Services3F
- F
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- D
Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
- F
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Miscellaneous3F
- F
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- F
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
- D
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Egress3E
- E
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
- E
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
- D
Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
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Other homes nearby
-
Santa Cruz Post Acute
Santa Cruz, CA · Pacs Group
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- G
- Nursing / resident / day
- 3 h 51 min
- Fines
- $161,912
-
Pacific Coast Manor
Capitola, CA · Covenant Care
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- D
- Nursing / resident / day
- 4 h 11 min
- Fines
- $0
-
Redwood Grove Post Acute
Santa Cruz, CA
★★★★★- Worst citation, 3 yrs
- G
- Nursing / resident / day
- 4 h 37 min
- Fines
- $13,870