Safety Report: Buena Vista Care Center

Santa Barbara, California · Based on official CMS inspection records as of October 1, 2026.

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How to read this report. Every nursing home receives some citations. One citation does not mean a facility is unsafe. Look at how serious the findings were, whether the same problems keep coming back, and whether things are getting better or worse. Learn how inspections work.

Official ratings

Overall★★★★★
Health inspections★★★★★
Staffing★★★★★
Quality measures★★★★★
Long-stay quality★★★★★
Short-stay quality★★★★★

Medicare's star ratings compare nursing homes within the same state for health inspections. A 5-star facility performed better than most in its state; a 1-star facility performed worse than most.

Stars are calculated by CMS, not by us. We do not create our own safety score.

Serious documented violations

1Immediate jeopardy citations (severity J–L)
1Actual harm citations (severity G–I)
5Requirements cited on more than one inspection
G
Government finding: Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Inspectors rated this “actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy).” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of October 20, 2025, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by December 15, 2025.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F656
J
Government finding: Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Inspectors rated this “immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.” The problem affected one or a very small number of residents or staff. Inspection of October 3, 2025, during a complaint investigation. Facility reported correction by December 17, 2025.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F689

Citations by topic

0Abuse, neglect & exploitation
1Infection control
4Medications & pharmacy
1Accidents & supervision

Topics use CMS's own deficiency categories; “accidents & supervision” counts tag F689 (free of accident hazards / adequate supervision). Counts cover the last three inspection cycles, including complaint investigations.

Is it getting better or worse?

Fewer citations in the most recent cycle (8) than in the cycle before (10).

Two cycles ago
none serious
Prior cycle
none serious
Most recent cycle
2 serious

An inspection cycle is roughly one year and includes the standard inspection plus complaint investigations. Counts depend partly on how many complaint investigations occurred, so treat small changes with caution. Red bars include at least one serious citation.

Staffing and rating trends will appear as we collect monthly CMS releases. We have one month so far, so a staffing trend cannot yet be determined.

Repeat findings

These requirements were cited on more than one inspection date in the last three cycles.

RequirementTimes citedInspection dates
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. (F656)5January 14, 2026; October 20, 2025; March 7, 2025; January 12, 2024; March 3, 2022
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (F812)3April 10, 2026; January 17, 2025; March 3, 2022
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. (F761)3April 10, 2026; January 17, 2025; March 3, 2022
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. (F584)3March 20, 2025; December 26, 2023; March 3, 2022
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. (F842)2May 2, 2025; March 3, 2022

Fines and enforcement

DateTypeAmount / length
October 3, 2025Fine$32,263

Federal civil money penalties and Medicare/Medicaid payment denials. State-level penalties may not be included.

Complete inspection history

32 citations across 15 inspection dates.

April 10, 2026 — 4 citations
D
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected May 4, 2026
D
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food prepared in a form designed to meet individual needs.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F805 · corrected May 4, 2026
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected May 4, 2026
D
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F658 · corrected May 4, 2026
January 14, 2026 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · complaint · corrected January 23, 2026
October 20, 2025 — 1 citation (includes serious) · complaint investigation
G
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Actual harm to a resident (not immediate jeopardy) · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · complaint · corrected December 15, 2025
October 3, 2025 — 2 citations (includes serious) · complaint investigation
J
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F689 · complaint · corrected December 17, 2025
E
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Environmental Deficiencies · F908 · complaint · corrected December 17, 2025
August 20, 2025 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · F697 · complaint · corrected September 1, 2025
May 2, 2025 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F842 · complaint · corrected May 16, 2025
March 20, 2025 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F584 · complaint · corrected April 15, 2025
March 7, 2025 — 2 citations · complaint investigation
D
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Environmental Deficiencies · F921 · complaint · corrected April 14, 2025
D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · complaint · corrected April 14, 2025
January 17, 2025 — 5 citations
F
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Widespread · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected February 17, 2025
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected February 17, 2025
D
PASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F645 · corrected February 17, 2025
D
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F641 · corrected February 17, 2025
D
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F554 · corrected February 17, 2025
August 8, 2024 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F580 · complaint · corrected September 3, 2024
April 23, 2024 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F550 · complaint · corrected May 3, 2024
April 3, 2024 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F568 · complaint · corrected April 15, 2024
January 12, 2024 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · complaint · corrected January 22, 2024
December 26, 2023 — 1 citation · complaint investigation
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F584 · complaint · corrected January 8, 2024
March 3, 2022 — 9 citations
E
Make sure there is a pest control program to prevent/deal with mice, insects, or other pests.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Environmental Deficiencies · F925 · corrected May 3, 2022
E
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Infection Control Deficiencies · F880 · corrected May 3, 2022
E
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Pattern · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F842 · corrected May 3, 2022
D
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F812 · corrected May 3, 2022
D
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · F806 · corrected May 3, 2022
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F761 · corrected May 3, 2022
D
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · F755 · corrected May 3, 2022
D
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · F656 · corrected May 3, 2022
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.
No actual harm, but potential for more than minimal harm · Isolated · Resident Rights Deficiencies · F584 · corrected May 3, 2022

Source: CMS Health Deficiencies dataset (data as of October 1, 2026); full inspection narratives on Medicare Care Compare

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