Hearth Record

Scripps Memorial Hospital - Encinitas

An acute care hospital in Encinitas, California 92024

354 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, California 92024. (760) 753-6501.

CMS’s own record, on Care Compare

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The short answer

Record last released by CMS on Oct 20, 2026.

The last 24 months 2 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Sep 2025. Most serious: Standard-level. Every month

Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.

What these words mean3
Star ratings
CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
Inspection (survey)
A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
Deficiency, citation, violation
What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.

What did inspectors find?

The last inspection on record was on Sep 24, 2025: a complaint inspection.

2 deficiencies cited in the last three years.

Source:

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

When those deficiencies happened

2 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Sep 2025. Most serious: Standard-level. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

2 deficiencies by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.

Each deficiency, as cited

Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.

Source:

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

Sep 24, 2025: complaint inspection2 deficiencies

  • Patient Rights: Restraint Or Seclusion

    The inspectors’ words, 438 words

    “PATIENT RIGHTS: RESTRAINT OR SECLUSION CFR(s): 482.13(e)(10) The condition of the patient who is restrained or secluded must be monitored by a physician, other licensed practitioner or trained staff that have completed the training criteria specified in paragraph (f) of this section at an interval determined by hospital policy. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 43674 Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure restraint monitoring was completed per hospital policy for 1 of 30 patients (Patient 9). Findings include: Patient 9 was admitted to the facility on 8/7/25 with diagnoses which included myocardial infarction (heart attack) and Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA - a life-threatening complication of diabetes) per the History and Physical dated 8/8/25. A review of Patient 9’s Physician Order dated 8/9/25 indicated, “Non-violent behavior restraint ... Restraint reason: Interference with medical treatment ... Restraint type: L (Left) Wrist, R (Right Wrist) ...” A review of Patient 9’s Flowsheet (for restraint) dated 8/9/25 indicated, “Restraint type: Wrist Restraint R (NV - Non-violent) and Wrist Restraint L (NV)” were applied on 8/9/25 at 12 A.M., and were discontinued (removed) on 8/9/25 at 5 A.M. During this time, between 12 A.M. to 5 A.M., the patient was restrained one time. Further review of this record indicated that “Restraint Monitoring Every 2 (two) Hours” was not completed while the patient was on restraint. A concurrent interview and record review was conducted with the Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) on 9/23/25 at 2:20 P.M. The CNS stated that Patient 9’s Flowsheet on restraint included documentation that restraints were applied on 8/9/25 at 12 A.M. and discontinued at 5 A.M. There was no documentation of restraint assessment and monitoring every 2 hours while the patient was on restraint. The CNS acknowledged that Patient 9 should have been assessed and monitored every 2 hours per policy, for appropriateness of restraint, and for patient safety. A review of the hospital’s policy and procedure titled, Restraint Use Non-Violent Behavior effective 10/8/24 indicated, “ ...V. Procedures: ...E. If restraint application is deemed necessary for the safety of the patient: ...6. For the purpose of caring for a patient’s needs (toileting, feeding, range of motion, diversion of activities), remove restraints at least every 2 hours while under staff supervision. This is not considered a discontinuation of the restraint. 7. Monitor and document at least every two (2) hours: a. Visual safety checks performed at least every 15 minutes. b. Removal of restraint one extremity at a time to assess circulation and skin integrity and provide range of motion. c. Hygiene including oral care, bathing, and skin care. d. Fluid and Nutrition. e. Elimination/toileting.””

    Rule A0175. Standard-level. From a complaint.

  • Opo Agreement

    The inspectors’ words, 652 words

    “OPO AGREEMENT CFR(s): 482.45(a)(1) Incorporate an agreement with an OPO designated under part 486 of this chapter, under which it must notify, in a timely manner, the OPO or a third party designated by the OPO of individuals whose death is imminent or who have died in the hospital. The OPO determines medical suitability for organ donation and, in the absence of alternative arrangements by the hospital, the OPO determines medical suitability for tissue and eye donation, using the definition of potential tissue and eye donor and the notification protocol developed in consultation with the tissue and eye banks identified by the hospital for this purpose; This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 50175 Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to implement the requirements of its Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation/Procurement (OTEP) agreement and its policy to notify the procurement agency within one hour of time of death for three of 30 sampled patients (Patient 11, 21, and 30). Findings include: 1. Patient 11 was admitted to the facility’s Emergency Department (ED) on 8/11/25 at 7:46 A.M., according to Patient 11’s face sheet. On 9/23/25 at 9:39 A.M., a review of Patient 11’s medical record was conducted with the Program Coordinator (PC). On 8/11/25, Patient 11 arrived at the facility, unresponsive, with the emergency response team performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR, an emergency lifesaving procedure). Patient 11’s time of death was 7:52 A.M. Facility documentation reflected the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) was contacted on 8/11/25 at 9:33 A.M., over one hour from Patient 11’s time of death. 2. Patient 21 was admitted to the facility on 8/6/25 with diagnoses which included acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (a medical emergency causing low oxygen levels in the blood), according to Patient 21’s face sheet. A review of Patient 21’s medical record was conducted on 9/23/25 at 9:54 A.M., with the Program Coordinator (PC). Patient 21 died on 8/14/25 at 9:10 A.M. Facility documentation reflected the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) was contacted on 8/14/25 at 10:40 A.M., over one hour from Patient 21’s time of death. There was no other documentation that OPO was previously contacted by facility staff. 3. Patient 30 was admitted to the facility on 8/14/25 with diagnoses which included shortness of breath, according to Patient 30’s face sheet. A review of Patient 30’s medical record was conducted on 9/23/25 at 3:49 P.M. with the Program Coordinator (PC). Patient 30 died on 8/19/25 at 1:24 P.M. There was no documentation that the Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) was contacted. An interview was conducted with Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) and the Director of Quality (DQ) on 9/24/25 at 10:28 A.M. The CNS stated it was important to contact OPO within one hour to “give the OPO time to do what they need to do.” The DQ stated it was important to contact OPO within one hour to allow OPO time to make an informed assessment for potential donation. An interview was conducted with the Registered Nurse Supervisor (RNS) at 9/24/25 at 10:35 A.M. The RNS acknowledged it was important to call OPO within one hour to find out if a patient was a potential donor for eyes, skin, or other organs. A review of the facility’s Organ, Tissue, and Eye Donation/Procurement Agreement with OPO, signed in 2022, indicated “ ...Responsibilities of the DONOR INSTITUTION ...Notification is deemed timely as follows for ...Imminent Death ...DONOR INSTITUTION shall notify [OPO] prior to the physician ordering the withdrawal of life sustaining therapies and within one hour of identification ...when patient meets other clinical criteria as identified in the DONOR INSTITUTION policy ...Cardiac Death: All other non-ventilator dependent patients will be referred to [OPO] within one hour of cardiac time of death ...” A review of the facility’s policy titled Policy: Death, Pronouncement, and Postmortem Management, dated 11/2022, indicated “ ...The Organ and Tissue Procurement Agency must be notified of all deaths within one hour ...””

    Rule A0886. Standard-level. From a complaint.

The one inspection in the last three years
Inspections on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Sep 24, 2025Complaint inspection2 deficiencies cited

How do patients fare?

  • CMS’s overall for it is 4 of 5.
  • Of the measures behind its , CMS counts against the national value: mortality, 3 better and 0 worse of 7; safety of care, 1 better and 0 worse of 7; readmission, 3 better and 1 worse of 8.
  • Patients rate it 4 of 5 in CMS’s patient survey (2,383 surveys completed, Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): 76% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 80% would definitely recommend it.
  • Infections, compared by CMS with the national benchmark (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): central line bloodstream infections (CLABSI), no different than national benchmark; catheter urinary tract infections (CAUTI), no different than national benchmark; surgical site infections after colon surgery, no different than national benchmark; MRSA bloodstream infections, no different than national benchmark; C. diff infections, better than the national benchmark.
  • CMS’s patient safety composite for serious complications, PSI 90, Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2024: no different than the national value.
  • Deaths within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2025): heart attack 10.5%, heart failure 7.6%, pneumonia 10.7%, COPD 8.2%, stroke 10%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
  • Readmissions within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2023 to Jun 30, 2025): heart attack 13.2%, heart failure 20%, pneumonia 16.7%, COPD 19.6%, hip or knee replacement 6.1%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
  • After outpatient care, compared by CMS: unplanned hospital visits after a colonoscopy, no different than the national rate; unplanned hospital visits after outpatient surgery, no different than expected.
  • Emergency department patients spent a median of 200 minutes there before leaving (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025), and 1% left before being seen.
  • 82% of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock got the care CMS measures, SEP-1 (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025).
  • Medicare’s spending per patient here is 0.94 times the national median (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024).
Source:

CMS, Hospital General Information, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital, Healthcare Associated Infections - Hospital, Timely and Effective Care - Hospital and Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, Complications and Deaths - Hospital and Unplanned Hospital Visits - Hospital. Released Sep 30, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Ratings and measures, as published
MeasureRating
Overall ratingCMS’s overall hospital quality star rating, 1 to 54 of 5
Patient survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of the hospital’s patients (HCAHPS), 1 to 54 of 5

Is it certified, and in good standing?

  • Medicare-certified acute care hospital since Feb 1, 1978.
  • Ownership: voluntary non-profit - private.
  • It is accredited by The Joint Commission, whose surveys stand in for the state’s routine inspections.
  • No deficiency on record in the last three years.
  • Voluntary non-profit - Private.
Source:

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

Has it been penalized?

  • CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals.
  • Not among the hospitals whose Medicare payments CMS cut under the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program for fiscal year 2026.
  • 2 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
Source:

CMS, Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated yearly.

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

What do patients say about their care?

  • CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
  • In CMS’s patient survey, patients rate how well its nurses communicated 4 of 5.
  • 85% of its health care workers got a flu shot (Oct 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2025).
Source:

CMS, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital and Timely and Effective Care - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Who owns it?

  • Scripps Health owns 100% directly since Feb 10, 1989.
  • 21 owners or officers are people: Theodore S Thomas (corporate director); Richard C Bigelow (corporate director, 0%); Don Goldman (corporate director); Nicole A Clay (corporate director, 0%); William D Gore (corporate director); John Boyer (corporate director, 0%); Judith A Churchill (corporate director, 0%); Jan K Caldwell (corporate director, 0%); Carl Etter (managing employee (on the payroll)); Katherine A Lauer (corporate director, 0%); Brett Tande (corporate officer); Marty J Levin (corporate director, 0%); Kenneth B. Ford (corporate officer); Christopher D Van Gorder (corporate officer); Kevin Hamilton (corporate director); Elliot Scott (corporate director, 0%); Bradley Ellis (corporate officer); Richard H Vortmann (corporate director, 0%); Jeff R Bowman (corporate officer, 0%); Gene Barduson (corporate director); Dan Feldman (corporate director).
  • CMS’s Provider of Services file records no change of ownership.
  • No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
  • No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
Source:

CMS, Hospital All Owners and Hospital Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated monthly.

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Organisations CMS lists
OrganisationRoleShareSince
Scripps HealthOwns 5% or more directly100%Feb 10, 1989

How does it compare nearby?

  • Of the 22 hospitals CMS lists in San Diego County, 16 have an overall star rating from CMS: 4 rated 5 of 5, 9 rated 4 of 5, 2 rated 3 of 5, 1 rated 1 of 5.
  • CMS rates this one 4 of 5.
Source:

CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

12 compared
PlaceOverall star rating
Paradise Valley Hospital3
Uc San Diego Health Hillcrest - Hillcrest Med Ctr5
Grossmont Hospital4
Scripps Mercy Hospital4
Sharp Memorial Hospital4
Palomar Health Downtown Campus3
Tri-City Medical Center1
NH Camp PendletonNot given
Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center4
Nmc San DiegoNot given
Sharp Coronado Hospital and Hlthcr Ctr4
Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla5

What the record doesn’t say

  • CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals, so none are shown. The one payment cut CMS publishes for each hospital, under its Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, is shown where it applies.
  • Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
  • Most hospitals are accredited by a private organisation (The Joint Commission, DNV and others) whose routine inspections stand in for the state’s; those reports aren’t public, and QCOR holds only the state’s surveys: no inspection on record here doesn’t mean none took place.
  • QCOR says its hospital inspection data are complete only through September 17, 2026, while it moves to a new system.
  • CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
  • In its September 2026 release CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for death and readmission rates, though it gives the rates.

Sources

If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.

Source:

This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.

From the hospital

The public record above comes first. Anything the hospital adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.

Replies

None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospital will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.

Paid listing

None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospital”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

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Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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