Santa Cruz Post Acute
1115 Capitola Road · Santa Cruz, CA · 95062 · 8314754055
149 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Pacs Group
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Federal penalties on record: $109,734 in fines in the last 24 months.
- 4 citations involved actual harm to residents.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
2 actual-harm citations in the most recent cycle
Inspectors found deficiencies that caused real harm to residents, beyond potential-harm paperwork findings.
$109,734 in federal fines in the last 24 months
2 fines — CMS fines are reserved for verified, serious non-compliance.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 2 of 5 Inspections: 1 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.86 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.40 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.57 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 51% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 3 · $160,564 |
Inspection citations (83 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D March 11, 2026 · found via complaint
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Corrected March 19, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D February 26, 2026 · found via complaint
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected March 11, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E February 26, 2026 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Corrected March 11, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D February 26, 2026 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected March 13, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D November 26, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected December 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Actual harm · G November 14, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected November 24, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Actual harm · G November 6, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected November 25, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D July 8, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 3, 2025
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 3, 2025
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 3, 2025
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 3, 2025
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
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.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
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.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
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.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E March 3, 2025
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Corrected March 24, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| November 6, 2025 | Fine | $83,015 |
| March 3, 2025 | Fine | $26,719 |
| March 7, 2024 | Fine | $50,830 |
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
No approved reviews yet. If your family has experience with this facility, yours could be the review that helps the next family decide.
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 056065 · certified since August 1, 1972. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.