
Report
TheVardellReport
Driftwood Healthcare Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
4109 Emerald St
Torrance, CA 90503

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
4109 Emerald St
Torrance, CA 90503
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 17 inspections from December 2021 to July 2026, state surveyors documented 64 findings at Driftwood Healthcare Center; 64 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 20 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 8 | 19 | 1 |
| 2025 | 7 | 22 | 0 |
| 2026 | 1 | 3 | 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.
3 findings
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)
11 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)
2 findings
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)
2 findings
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)
3 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)
9 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $22,601 imposed August 19, 2024. 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 August 19, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
20 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 December 2021, August 2025 and July 2026. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. 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 December 2021, August 2024 and August 2025. 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 October 2024, December 2024 and August 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.
Inspectors cited F880 in December 2021, March 2024 and August 2025. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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 F552 in November 2025 and July 2026. The agency describes it this way: Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments. 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 F558 in December 2021 and August 2025. This citation covers whether the home reasonably accommodates each resident’s needs and preferences. 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 F573 in March 2024 and October 2024. The agency describes it this way: Let each resident or the resident's legal representative access or purchase copies of all the resident's records. 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 F585 in December 2021 and July 2026. This citation covers residents’ right to voice grievances without reprisal, and the home’s process for resolving them. 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 F610 in March 2025 and April 2025. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. 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 F627 in June 2025 and November 2025. The agency describes it this way: Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge. 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 F689 in October 2024 and March 2025. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. 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.
Inspectors cited F761 in December 2021 and August 2025. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. 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 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 three inspections, most seriously at level E.
Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?
Infection Control: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level F.
What changed after F552 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F552: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How do you adjust rooms, schedules and routines to a resident’s needs and preferences?
Needs and Preferences: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F573 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F573: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How do we file a grievance, who answers it, and how quickly?
Grievances: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?
Investigating Alleged Violations: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F627 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F627: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?
Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: 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 2024 fine, and has it been paid?
A $22,601 civil money penalty was imposed August 19, 2024. 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 Dec 6, 2021 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection May 8, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Aug 19, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Sep 26, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Oct 11, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 15, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Dec 9, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Mar 6, 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 Apr 30, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jun 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 7, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Aug 8, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Nov 25, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
California state survey agency
Inspection Jul 9, 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 · 555114
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowDecember 6, 2021 – 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.