HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Hickory Creek at Franklin has a Trust Grade of B, which means it is a good choice, solidly positioned above average. It ranks #52 out of 505 facilities in Indiana, placing it in the top half, and #5 out of 10 in Johnson County, indicating that it is one of the better local options. The facility is improving, with the number of issues decreasing from 2 in 2024 to none in 2025. However, staffing is a concern, earning only 1 out of 5 stars, and the turnover rate is high at 47%, which could impact resident care consistency. Additionally, the facility has incurred $7,446 in fines, which is higher than 90% of Indiana facilities, suggesting ongoing compliance issues. There were critical incidents noted during inspections, including a significant lapse in supervision that allowed a resident to elope and walk into traffic, posing a serious safety risk. There were also concerns about food safety practices, such as kitchen staff not covering their hair while preparing meals, and a failure to provide a resident with their prescribed diet, which led to dissatisfaction with the food quality. While there are strengths in overall care and health inspections, these weaknesses highlight areas that need attention.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Indiana
- #52/505
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 47% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $7,446 in fines. Lower than most Indiana facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 38 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Indiana. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ○ Average
- 8 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
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5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Indiana avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 8 deficiencies on record
Apr 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0805
(Tag F0805)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure a resident received the correct diet as ordered by the physician for 1 of 1 residents reviewed for diet order. (Reside...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure infection control procedures were completed for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for resident care. Glove changes and hand hy...
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Dec 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Investigate Abuse
(Tag F0610)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to complete a thorough investigation for an allegation of physical abuse for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for abuse. (Resident B)
Finding include...
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Sept 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure infection control practices implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 for 2 of 3 residents reviewed for infection...
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May 2023
4 deficiencies
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record, the facility failed to provide supervision to prevent elopement 1 of 1 residents reviewed. A resident was able to exit the facility with a delivery person....
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medication Errors
(Tag F0758)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure an AIMS (Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale) was completed for 1 of 5 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications. (Resident 134...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure foods were served in a sanitary and safe manner for 3 of 3 kitchen observations. Staff hair was not covered while in t...
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MINOR
(C)
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Garbage Disposal
(Tag F0814)
Minor procedural issue · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure the dumpster side panel door was kept closed when not in use for 1 of 2 dumpster observations.
Findings include:
Durin...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s). Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 8 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
About This Facility
What is Hickory Creek At Franklin's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within Indiana, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Hickory Creek At Franklin Staffed?
CMS rates HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN's staffing level at 1 out of 5 stars, which is much below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 47%, compared to the Indiana average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Hickory Creek At Franklin?
State health inspectors documented 8 deficiencies at HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN during 2023 to 2024. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death), 6 with potential for harm, and 1 minor or isolated issues. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.
Who Owns and Operates Hickory Creek At Franklin?
HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by AMERICAN SENIOR COMMUNITIES, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 36 certified beds and approximately 33 residents (about 92% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in FRANKLIN, Indiana.
How Does Hickory Creek At Franklin Compare to Other Indiana Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Indiana, HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (47%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Hickory Creek At Franklin?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations and the below-average staffing rating.
Is Hickory Creek At Franklin Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 1 Immediate Jeopardy citation (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Indiana. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Hickory Creek At Franklin Stick Around?
HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN has a staff turnover rate of 47%, which is about average for Indiana nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Hickory Creek At Franklin Ever Fined?
HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN has been fined $7,446 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Indiana average of $33,153. While any fine indicates a compliance issue, fines under $50,000 are relatively common and typically reflect isolated problems that were subsequently corrected. Families should ask what specific issues led to these fines and confirm they've been resolved.
Is Hickory Creek At Franklin on Any Federal Watch List?
HICKORY CREEK AT FRANKLIN is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.