Nursing HomeMedicaid Needs closer review

Sandia Ridge Center

On Medicare Special Focus status, a serious quality warning. Visit in person and ask tough questions before deciding.

2216 Lester Drive Ne, North Easterns · Albuquerque, NM 87112|140 beds|Licensed & active

1/5

Medicare

Inspection

Quality

Staffing

Google rating

3.8/5

based on 94 Google reviews

(505) 296-4808 Directions Website

Street View

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7flags

Review before deciding

Public Medicare Flags to Review

These current public-data fields deserve follow-up with the facility and the official Medicare record. They are not a clinical risk score or a substitute for an in-person assessment.

Special Focus Facility (under heightened CMS scrutiny)
Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
Low health inspection rating (1/5 stars)
1 Medicare penalty on record
Above-median findings in the latest survey (20 vs median 16)
Staff turnover reported at 51%
RN turnover reported at 59%

Source: Medicare data

What this means for your family

Medicare Special Focus status indicates a history of serious quality problems and heightened oversight. Review the latest inspection records, ask what corrective actions remain open, and visit in person before deciding.

Google Reviews

98 public Google reviews available

Sandia Ridge Center receives highly polarized feedback, with many families praising the rehabilitation therapy team and admissions staff, while others report severe concerns regarding neglect, hygiene, and communication. While some visitors find the facility clean and the staff attentive, a significant number of reviewers cite issues with call light response times, missing personal belongings, and inadequate care for residents with complex medical needs.

Quality Themes

Tap a score for details

Strengths

Highly effective rehabilitation therapy team
Helpful and informative admissions staff
Clean and well-maintained facility environment
Compassionate nursing staff for short-term rehab

Concerns

Neglect and slow response to call lights (mentioned by 8 reviewers)
Poor communication with family members (mentioned by 5 reviewers)
Unsanitary conditions and odors (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
Missing personal belongings (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Inadequate staffing on weekends (mentioned by 3 reviewers)

Rating Trends

Tap a year to see what changed

Distribution · 98 analyzed

How They Respond to Reviews

80%response rate

This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.

Questions for Your Tour

1I noticed your team is very active in responding to online feedback; what is your preferred process for keeping families updated on their loved one's daily progress?
2Given that the rehab team is highly regarded here, how do you ensure that same level of attentive care transitions into the long-term nursing side of the facility?
3Could you walk me through your current system for monitoring call lights to ensure residents receive timely assistance, especially during the weekend shifts?
4I understand that maintaining a clean environment is a priority; what specific protocols are in place to manage facility hygiene and address any concerns about odors?
5How does your nursing team manage medication administration and oversight to ensure accuracy for residents with complex health needs?
6What kind of daily activities or social programs are available for residents to ensure they feel engaged and connected within the community?

Personalized based on this facility's data

Key Review Excerpts

“I had a devastating illness and was sent to sandia ridge. This staff helped me get back on my feet. I had to learn how to sit up in bed, stand, walk, feed myself, take showers the whole nine yards.”

Rehab patient · 2023★★★★★

“The five star reviews are not an accurate portrayal of the care (or lack thereof) that your loved ones recieve here. I am a CNA and I visit several nursing homes throughout Albuquerque. Genesis ran facilities are known amongst nursing staff to be a place to avoid.”

Healthcare professional · 2026★☆☆☆☆

“My mom has been there for a year, her personal belongings are always mysteriously lost, I bought my mom gold earrings..gone, dresses..gone, draws..gone, glasses..gone, watch..gone.”

Long-term resident's family · 2023★☆☆☆☆

Source: 98 Google reviews in the current analysis set

Staffing

Staffing Hours

per resident/day · Medicare public data

RN Hours

0.64hrs

86%

Registered nurses for medical care

Total Nursing

3.37hrs

82%

All nurses + aides combined

Staff Turnover

51%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

RN Turnover

59%

Lower is better (< 30% = good)

Both RN and total nursing hours are below the EveryPlace reference benchmarks. Ask the facility how it staffs each shift for current resident needs.

Reference benchmarks (0.75 RN and 4.1 total nursing hours per resident/day) are comparison targets, not current federal minimum requirements.

Quality Measures

Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures

Medicare Rating

1/ 5

Better Than Avg

measures

Worse Than Avg

measures

Mixed Results

measures

Long-Stay Residents

Residents whose walking got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility28.3%

Worse than Avg

Here

28.3%

15.3%

13.7%

Bernalillo

17.5%

Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse

↓ Lower is better

This Facility28.1%

Worse than Avg

Here

28.1%

19.4%

20.3%

Bernalillo

17.5%

Residents needing more daily help over time

↓ Lower is better

This Facility22.2%

Worse than Avg

Here

22.2%

14.4%

13.0%

Bernalillo

16.1%

Residents on antipsychotic medication

↓ Lower is better

This Facility22.1%

Worse than Avg

Here

22.1%

15.5%

14.5%

Bernalillo

13.1%

Residents with depression symptoms

↓ Lower is better

This Facility3.6%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

3.6%

12.1%

1.9%

Bernalillo

2.2%

Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.

Residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility99.1%

Better than Avg

Here

99.1%

93.4%

97.3%

Bernalillo

98.8%

Short-Stay Residents (Rehab / Post-Acute)

Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu

↑ Higher is better

This Facility74.0%

Worse than Avg

Here

74.0%

79.8%

86.4%

Bernalillo

90.4%

Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia

↑ Higher is better

This Facility82.9%

Mixed vs Avgs

Here

82.9%

81.8%

86.1%

Bernalillo

93.9%

Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics

↓ Lower is better

This Facility2.0%

Worse than Avg

Here

2.0%

1.6%

1.2%

Bernalillo

0.8%

Source: Medicare quality measures

US average from Medicare published data

Inspection History

Medicare Inspection History

Detailed Medicare record · up to 3-year lookback

69findings in history

1penalty

Latest survey: 20 · above NM avg (16.6)

24 complaint-triggered findings

$205,248 in fines

Sandia Ridge Center shows a concerning pattern of recurring serious issues, with families filing 17 complaints that triggered federal inspections. The facility has persistent problems with protecting residents from abuse and neglect, medication management, and care planning that span multiple years and continue into 2025. While all violations show correction dates, the repeated nature of deficiencies in core safety areas suggests ongoing challenges with maintaining consistent quality care standards.

Apr 29, 2026Complaint1 finding

0558Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Mar 20, 2026Complaint7 findings

0761Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Ensure 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.

0842Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

0635Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Provide doctor's orders for the resident's immediate care at the time the resident was admitted.

0655Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

0658Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

0677Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

0812Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Mar 10, 2026Complaint2 findings

0584Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Resident Rights Deficiencies

Honor 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.

0880Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Infection Control Deficiencies

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Feb 20, 2026Complaint1 finding

0804Potential for harm · WidespreadCorrected

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies

Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.

Jul 1, 2025Complaint1 finding

0677Potential for harm · PatternCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.

Mar 27, 2025Complaint4 findings

0600Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

0657Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

0684Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

0689Potential for harm · IsolatedCorrected

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Federal Penalties

Fine

May 28, 2025

$114,001

Ownership & Operations

Who Operates This Facility

Owner / Operator

Sandia Ridge Center

Organization Type

for profit

Chain Affiliation

Chain Name

Genesis Healthcare

Chain Size

187 facilities nationwide

Chain avg rating: 2.4/5 · Rank 154 of 188 (Lowest rating)

Ownership & Management

Owners

Summit Care LLC

Owner · Organization

100%

Gen Operations I LLC