All states › California › San Jose › Empress Care Center
1299 S. Bascom Avenue San Jose, CA 95128 · Santa Clara County
All 19 nursing homes in San Jose, CA (19 take Medicaid)
CMS certification number 056026 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare
Is Empress 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 Empress Care Center as of October 2026.
CMS rates it 4 out of 5 stars overall, above 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 4.14 hours per resident per day at Empress Care Center, below the California median of 4.27 (US median: 3.72). About 0.71 of those hours are from registered nurses. On weekends it falls to 3.74 hours, 10% below its all-week average. 21.2% of nursing staff left within a year (California median 36%). That is lower than most homes in California, a sign of a steadier team.
About this nursing home
Paying for care at Empress Care Center: Medicare and Medicaid
Empress 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 April 28, 2025 and found 13 deficiencies. In total, inspectors issued 44 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 44 citations at Empress Care Center across 4 inspection dates, 1 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 44 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 0 were minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were pharmacy service (10) and quality of life and care (9). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "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" (tag F0700, level F, April 28, 2025). 1 citation was under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.
April 28, 2025 · 13 citations
FTry 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.
FEnsure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
FEnsure 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.
EHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
EKeep all essential equipment working safely.
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.
DProvide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
DProvide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
DEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
DImplement 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.
October 16, 2024 · 1 citation · includes complaint inspection
DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
December 22, 2023 · 13 citations
EHonor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
ETry 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.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DPASARR screening for Mental disorders or Intellectual Disabilities
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.
DImplement 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.
DEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
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.
DEnsure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
DProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
DDevelop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
DRegularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
September 2, 2022 · 17 citations
EDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
EEnsure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
EEnsure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
EEnsure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
EProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
DNot transfer or discharge a resident without an adequate reason; and must provide documentation and convey specific information when a resident is transferred or discharged.
DAssess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
DEncode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
DProvide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
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.
DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
DImplement 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.
DHave a policy regarding use and storage of foods brought to residents by family and other visitors.
DMake sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Questions to ask on a tour of Empress Care Center
- CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on October 16, 2024. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
- 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
CMS reports no fines or payment denials for this home in the last three years.
Rating history
| CMS month | Overall | Inspection | Staffing | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| August 2026 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
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Location
Hospitals near Empress 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.
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0.9 mi
Santa Clara Valley Medical Center San JoseEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 29m for patients treated and sent home
-
3.6 mi
Good Samaritan Hospital San JoseEmergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5Median ER visit 2h 19m for patients treated and sent home
- 3.8 mi
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 Empress Care Center › All nursing homes in San Jose ›
Compare Empress Care Center with the 3 closest homes side by side ›
Higher-rated nursing homes within 10 miles
- O'Connor Hospital D/P SNF · San Jose · 5 stars · 1.9 mi
- The Win Post-Acute · Santa Clara · 5 stars · 2.5 mi
- Childrens HC Org No Ca -Pediatric Hospital D/P · Campbell · 5 stars · 3.1 mi
- Plum Tree Care Center · San Jose · 5 stars · 3.5 mi
Other Eva Care Group nursing homes in California
- Greenfield Care Center of Fullerton · Fullerton · 5 stars
- Greenfield Care Center of Fillmore · Fillmore · 4 stars
- Montclair Manor Care Center · Montclair · 4 stars
- Medical Center Convalescent Hospital · San Bernardino · 4 stars
- Greenfield Care Center of South Gate · South Gate · 2 stars
- Cedar Pine Post Acute · Pasadena · 2 stars
Affiliation comes from CMS's affiliated-entity data, October 2026. All 9 Eva Care Group nursing homes ›
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.