
Report
TheVardellReport
Buena Vista Care Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
160 South Patterson Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93111

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
160 South Patterson Avenue
Santa Barbara, CA 93111
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 15 inspections from March 2022 to April 2026, state surveyors documented 32 findings at Buena Vista Care Center; 32 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 9 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 7 | 13 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
Chronology
Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.
4 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
5 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $32,263 imposed October 3, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of January 17, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
9 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F656 in March 2022, January 2024, March 2025, October 2025 and January 2026. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. The most serious of these was recorded at level G (actual harm). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F584 in March 2022, December 2023 and March 2025. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F761 in March 2022, January 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F812 in March 2022, January 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F842 in March 2022 and May 2025. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?
Care Plans: cited in five inspections, most seriously at level G.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $32,263 civil money penalty was imposed October 3, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the California state survey agency.
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 3, 2022 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 26, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 12, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 3, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 23, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Aug 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 17, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 7, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 20, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 2, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Aug 20, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Oct 3, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Oct 20, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jan 14, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Apr 10, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 555394
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowMarch 3, 2022 – October 1, 2026
Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.
Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.