Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, CA

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz is a medicare and medicaid certified nursing home in Santa Cruz, California. It is located in Santa Cruz county at 675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, California 95062. You can reach out to the office of Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz via phone at (831) 475-6323. This skilled nursing facility has 92 federally certified beds with average occupancy rate of 91.96%. Its legal business name is Driftwood Santa Cruz Operating Company LP and has the following ownership type - For Profit - Limited Liability Company. It is part of Mariner Health Care, a chain of 17 nursing homes.

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz (Medicare CCN 055109) is certified by CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) and participates in both medicare and medicaid program. This means if you are part of medicare or medicaid program, you may consider this nursing facility for your medical needs. It was first certified by CMS in 1969 (57 years certified) and the last quality survey was conducted in December, 2025.

Contact Information

Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, California 95062
(831) 475-6323

Map and Direction



Nursing Home Profile

NameDriftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
Location675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, California
Certified ByMedicare and Medicaid
No. of Certified Beds92
Occupancy Rate91.96%
Medicare ID (CCN)055109
Legal Business NameDriftwood Santa Cruz Operating Company LP
Ownership TypeFor Profit - Limited Liability Company
ChainMariner Health Care (17 nursing homes)
Chain Average Overall Rating3.6 out of 5

NPI Associated with this Nursing Home:

Nursing homes may have several NPI numbers. NPIs marked Confirmed are listed with Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz in Medicare enrollment records; Possible ones were matched in NPPES by name, address or phone number, so please use them accordingly.

NPI Number1457649436
MatchConfirmed listed in Medicare enrollment records
Organization NameDriftwood Santa Cruz Operating Company, LP
Doing Business AsDriftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
Address675 24th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA 95062
Phone Number831-475-6323

Quality Ratings:

Nursing homes vary in the quality of care and services they provide to their residents. The below quality ratings for Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz are calculated from three sources - health inspection results, staffing data, and quality measure data. This information gives you an indication of the care Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz give to their patients.
Ratings from Surveys (Inspections):
Ratings from Quality Measures:
Ratings from Staffing Data:
Overall Rating:

Staffing and Staff Turnover:

Staffing hours per resident per day and staff turnover of Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz, from the payroll data it reports to CMS, are compared against the national average with the color code indicators: Better than National Average Worse than National Average

Staffing MeasureProviderNational Avg.
Total nurse staff hours per resident per day3.983.86
Registered nurse (RN) hours per resident per day0.680.69
Licensed practical nurse (LPN) hours per resident per day0.630.86
Nurse aide hours per resident per day2.672.32
Total nurse staff hours per resident per day on the weekend3.733.42
RN hours per resident per day on the weekend0.520.48
Physical therapist hours per resident per day0.040.07
Total nursing staff turnover46.2%45.8%
Registered nurse turnover50%42.9%
Number of administrators who have left the nursing home10.5

Complaints, Fines and Penalties:

Cited for abuse, neglect or exploitation of residents (Care Compare abuse icon)No
Number of Fines0
Total Amount of Fines in Dollars$0
Number of Payment Denials0
Total Number of Penalties0

Health Inspections:

In its most recent inspection cycle (standard health inspection in December, 2025, plus any complaint inspections), inspectors cited Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz for 7 health deficiencies (national average: 9.3). The 30 most recent of its 51 citations since 2022 are listed below.

DateDeficiencyHarm LevelStatus
Dec 12, 2025Try 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.
F0700, Quality of Life and Care, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jan 9, 2026
Dec 12, 2025Ensure 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.
F0761, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jan 9, 2026
Dec 12, 2025Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
F0805, Nutrition and Dietary, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jan 9, 2026
Dec 12, 2025Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
F0812, Nutrition and Dietary, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jan 9, 2026
Dec 12, 2025Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
F0880, Infection Control, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jan 9, 2026
Dec 12, 2025Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
F0755, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jan 9, 2026
Aug 22, 2025Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
F0609, Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation, Complaint inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Sep 21, 2025
Oct 2, 2024Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
F0689, Quality of Life and Care, Complaint inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Oct 31, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
F0880, Infection Control, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, widespreadCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
F0552, Resident Rights, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
F0657, Resident Assessment and Care Planning, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Try 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.
F0700, Quality of Life and Care, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
F0741, Quality of Life and Care, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Provide medically-related social services to help each resident achieve the highest possible quality of life.
F0745, Quality of Life and Care, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
F0755, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Implement 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.
F0758, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
F0804, Nutrition and Dietary, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
F0812, Nutrition and Dietary, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Dispose of garbage and refuse properly.
F0814, Nutrition and Dietary, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Make sure that a working call system is available in each resident's bathroom and bathing area.
F0919, Environmental, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
F0921, Environmental, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, patternCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Honor 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.
F0578, Resident Rights, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
F0583, Resident Rights, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
F0656, Resident Assessment and Care Planning, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
F0684, Quality of Life and Care, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
F0690, Quality of Life and Care, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
F0756, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
F0757, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
F0759, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024
Jun 24, 2024Ensure 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.
F0761, Pharmacy Service, Standard inspection
Potential for harm, isolatedCorrected by Jul 17, 2024

Quality of Resident Care:

These quality measures of Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz, from the regular health assessments of its residents, are compared against the national average with the color code indicators: Better than National Average Worse than National Average

Quality MeasureProviderNational Avg.
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased6.313.87
Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight6.795.19
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder00.82
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection01.59
Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms0.3512.8
Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained00.13
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury2.973.23
Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine98.3593.55
Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine10082.04
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication01.56
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened7.0514.07
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication12.0119.52
Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine97.6595.46
Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine96.1579.75
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers0.544.62
Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence16.8819.01
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication15.7915.38

Reviews and Comments


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Nursing Home

A nursing home (also called skilled nursing facility) is a facility or distinct part of an institution whose primary function is to provide medical, continuous nursing, and other health and social services to patients who are not in an acute phase of illness requiring services in a hospital, but who require primary restorative or skilled nursing services on an inpatient basis above the level of intermediate or custodial care in order to reach a degree of body functioning to permit self care in essential daily living.

A skilled nursing facility (SNF) may be a freestanding facility or part of a hospital that has been certified by Medicare to admit patients requiring subacute care and rehabilitation.

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