Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz
675 24th Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA 95062 · (831) 475-6323
For profit - Limited Liability company · 92 certified beds
Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz has a 3-star overall rating from Medicare, out of 5. Its last standard inspection, in December 2025, found 6 citations (the California average is 15.6). It hasn't been fined in the last three years.
Medicare ratings
| Overall ratingStarts from the health inspection rating, then goes up or down a star for a 5-star or 1-star staffing or quality rating. | ★★★★★ 3 out of 5 stars · Average |
| Health inspectionsFrom the two most recent standard inspections and three years of complaint inspections, compared with other homes in the same state. | ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars · Below average |
| Quality measuresFrom 15 measures of how residents do, such as falls with major injury, pressure ulcers, hospital stays and getting home after a short stay. | ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars · Much above average |
| StaffingFrom payroll records of nurse hours per resident, adjusted for how much care residents need, and staff turnover. | ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars · Above average |
How to read a nursing home's star ratings
Most recent health inspection
The standard health inspection on December 12, 2025 found 6 citations. What an inspection citation means
- 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.December 12, 2025 · F0700 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- 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.December 12, 2025 · F0761 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.December 12, 2025 · F0805 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.December 12, 2025 · F0812 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.December 12, 2025 · F0880 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.December 12, 2025 · F0755 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Complaint inspections, last three years
Inspections after complaints found 8 citations.
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.July 15, 2026 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.July 15, 2026 · F0677 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Some
- Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.August 22, 2025 · F0609 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.October 2, 2024 · F0689 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.March 19, 2024 · F0689 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.March 4, 2024 · F0689 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.January 18, 2024 · F0755 · Level of harm: Actual harm · Residents affected: Few
- Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.October 9, 2023 · F0656 · Level of harm: Minimal harm or potential for actual harm · Residents affected: Few
Fines and payment denials
No fines or payment denials in the last three years.
Nurse staffing
Hours of nursing care per resident per day, as the home reports them to Medicare through payroll records.
| Hours per resident per day | This home | California average | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staffing | 3.98 | 4.52 | 3.86 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.68 | 0.67 | 0.69 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 0.63 | 1.20 | 0.86 |
| Nurse aides | 2.67 | 2.65 | 2.32 |
| Total nursing staff turnover | 46.2% | 36.7% | 45.8% |
About this home
| Ownership | For profit - Limited Liability company |
| Certified beds | 92 |
| Average residents per day | 84.6 |
| Inside a hospital | No |
| Continuing care retirement community | No |
Nursing homes nearby
- Redwood Grove Post Acute Santa Cruz · ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars
- Santa Cruz Post Acute Santa Cruz · ★★★★★ 2 out of 5 stars
- Pacific Coast Manor Capitola · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- Watsonville Post Acute Center Watsonville · ★★★★★ 5 out of 5 stars
- Manresa Healthcare Center Watsonville · ★★★★★ 4 out of 5 stars
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Data from Medicare (CMS), updated October 2026, from Driftwood Healthcare Center - Santa Cruz on Medicare's Care Compare and the CMS Provider Data Catalog. ParentNextStep isn't affiliated with Medicare or CMS.