All states › California › San Diego › St. Paul's Health Care Center
235 Nutmeg Street San Diego, CA 92103 · San Diego County
All 21 nursing homes in San Diego, CA (17 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 555144 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is St. Paul's Health Care Center a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record
There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for St. Paul's Health Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 2 out of 5 stars overall, below the California average of 3.2.
Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.
Staffing
Nursing staff spend about 5.16 hours per resident per day at St. Paul's Health Care Center, above the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 1.13 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 4.50 hours, 13% below its all-week average. 54.7% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%). High turnover can mean residents see unfamiliar caregivers; ask how long the nurses on the unit have worked there.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at St. Paul's Health Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
St. Paul's Health Care Center is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet California's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.
In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.
Health inspections
The most recent standard inspection was on August 12, 2026 and found 9 deficiencies, plus 9 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 59 citations in the last three years.
Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
What the inspections found
Over the last three years, inspectors issued 59 citations at St. Paul's Health Care Center across 11 inspection dates, 17 of them from complaint investigations. 1 was at the actual-harm level (G–I), most recently on May 11, 2026. The most common areas cited were quality of life and care (16) and resident rights (11). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody" (tag F0600, level G, May 11, 2026). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
August 12, 2026 · 11 citations · includes complaint inspection
FPost nurse staffing information every day.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DSafeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
May 11, 2026 · 3 citations, includes actual harm · includes complaint inspection
GProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
February 7, 2026 · 3 citations · includes complaint inspection
EProvide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
DHonor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
DProvide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
December 9, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DHonor 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.
September 4, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DProtect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
DEnsure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
June 26, 2025 · 18 citations
EHonor the resident's right to organize and participate in resident/family groups in the facility.
EPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
EEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
EEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
EEnsure 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.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DEnsure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
DHonor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
DProvide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
DProvide care by qualified persons according to each resident's written plan of care.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
DProvide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DHave a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
June 10, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
DEnsure 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.
June 3, 2025 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection
DImmediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
DEnsure the facility is licensed under applicable State and local law and operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards.
May 2, 2025 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DEnsure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
June 20, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
EEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
April 7, 2023 · 15 citations
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EEnsure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
EImplement 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.
EConduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.
ESet up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DKeep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
DHonor 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.
DEnsure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DEnsure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide care or services that was trauma informed and/or culturally competent.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Questions to ask on a tour of St. Paul's Health Care Center
- Inspectors cited the home at the actual-harm level on May 11, 2026 under the rule on freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. What changed afterwards, and can I see the plan of correction?
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on May 11, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- Nursing staff turnover was 54.7% a year. How many of the staff come from agencies?
- Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
- When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?
Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.
Fines and payment denials
1 penalty in the last three years, including $29,179 in fines.
| Date | Type | Amount or length |
|---|---|---|
| May 11, 2026 | Fine | $29,179 |
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| August 2026 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near St. Paul's Health Care Center
The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.
- 1.0 mi
-
1.2 mi
Scripps Mercy Hospital San DiegoEmergency room ★★★★☆ Medicare overall 4 of 5Median ER visit 3h 14m for patients treated and sent home
-
1.5 mi
University of California San Diego Medical Center San DiegoEmergency room ★★★★★ Medicare overall 5 of 5Median ER visit 4h 19m for patients treated and sent home
Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.
Nearby nursing homes
More nursing homes near St. Paul's Health Care Center › All nursing homes in San Diego ›
Compare St. Paul's Health Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- Hillcrest Heights Healthcare Center · San Diego · 5 stars · 1.3 mi
- Villa Coronado D/P SNF · Coronado · 5 stars · 2.8 mi
- Arroyo Vista Nursing Center · San Diego · 5 stars · 3.5 mi
- Helen Bernardy Center D/P SNF · San Diego · 5 stars · 4.6 mi
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.