WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Willow Creek Retirement Center in Byram, Mississippi has a Trust Grade of C, which means it is average and sits in the middle of the pack among similar facilities. It ranks #92 out of 200 in the state, indicating that it is in the top half of Mississippi nursing homes, but still has room for improvement compared to others. Unfortunately, the facility is worsening, with issues increasing from 6 in 2023 to 8 in 2024. Staffing is a relative strength with a 4 out of 5 rating, but turnover is about average at 48%. However, the center has faced $8,018 in fines, which is concerning and suggests ongoing compliance problems. Specific incidents of concern include a resident suffering a burn from spilled coffee due to a lack of supervision and improper infection control practices during wound care for two residents, risking infection. Additionally, the facility failed to maintain a clean ice machine, which raises hygiene concerns. While there are strengths in staffing, these weaknesses highlight areas where families may want to consider additional scrutiny before choosing this facility.
- Trust Score
- C
- In Mississippi
- #92/200
- Safety Record
- Moderate
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 48% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ○ Average
- $8,018 in fines. Higher than 68% of Mississippi facilities. Some compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 40 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for Mississippi. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 21 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near Mississippi average (2.6)
Meets federal standards, typical of most facilities
Near Mississippi 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 21 deficiencies on record
Nov 2024
4 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure the comprehensive care plan interventions were implemented during Percutaneous Endoscopic Ga...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Tube Feeding
(Tag F0693)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure the physician orders were followed related to the care of a resident with a Percutaneous En...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to prevent significant medication errors for one (1) of six (6) residents observed for medication admin...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure proper infection control practices were implemented during Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrost...
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Sept 2024
1 deficiency
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on interviews, record review, and facility investigation review, the facility failed to provide adequate supervision to prevent an accidental coffee burn for one (1) of the four (4) sampled resi...
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May 2024
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
📢 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
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observations, record review, interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide care and services to promote healing and prevent infection for one (1) of four (4) resident...
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Mar 2024
2 deficiencies
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
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility staff failed to provide treatment and services in a manner to promote the healing and prevent complications of...
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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
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide care and services fo...
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Feb 2023
6 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0561
(Tag F0561)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to honor the resident's right to make choices...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
ADL Care
(Tag F0677)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observations, interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to shave a resident that required assistance with shaving for one (1) of 18 residents reviewed for Ac...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide appropriate catheter care of for one (1) of three (3) residents reviewed for a catheter care...
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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 interviews, record reviews and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure as-needed (PRN) psychotropic medications were discontinued after 14 days, for one (1) of six (6) residents...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0565
(Tag F0565)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on resident and staff interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to document and act promptly to resolve grievances and recommendations from Resident Council Mee...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, staff interviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to maintain a clean ice machine for the residents as evidenced by white, red, and black residue build up on the ...
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Oct 2019
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0645
(Tag F0645)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to accurately complete the Level I Preadmission Screening (PAS) for one (1) of four (4) resident preadmission...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0646
(Tag F0646)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on staff interviews, record reviews, and facility policy review, the facility failed to refer the resident for a Level II review after a significant change in condition for one (1) of four (4) r...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Resident #3
A review of Resident #3's care plan, initiated 4/6/18, revealed the resident had an indwelling catheter, related to a diagnosis of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and was at Risk for In...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #MS #16115
Based on staff interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to provide adequa...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Incontinence Care
(Tag F0690)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, staff interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to prevent the possible spread of infection during catheter care for one (1) of two (2) resident c...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0727
(Tag F0727)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on record review, facility statement, and staff interview, the facility failed to provide a Registered Nurse (RN) Supervisor, for a facility with a census greater than 60 residents, for eight (8...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Resident #11-Stoma care
Observation of Resident #11's PEG stoma care on 10/02/19 at 10:11 AM, revealed LPN #3 did not use appropriate hand hygiene practices, during the care. She did not wash her hand...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "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.
- • 21 deficiencies on record, including 1 serious (caused harm) violation. Ask about corrective actions taken.
- • Grade C (53/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Willow Creek Retirement Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER an overall rating of 3 out of 5 stars, which is considered average nationally. Within Mississippi, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This mid-range rating indicates the facility meets federal standards but may have areas for improvement.
How is Willow Creek Retirement Center Staffed?
CMS rates WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 48%, compared to the Mississippi average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Willow Creek Retirement Center?
State health inspectors documented 21 deficiencies at WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER during 2019 to 2024. These included: 1 that caused actual resident harm and 20 with potential for harm. Deficiencies causing actual harm indicate documented cases where residents experienced negative health consequences.
Who Owns and Operates Willow Creek Retirement Center?
WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER 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 BRIAR HILL MANAGEMENT, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 88 certified beds and approximately 79 residents (about 90% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in BYRAM, Mississippi.
How Does Willow Creek Retirement Center Compare to Other Mississippi Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Mississippi, WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER's overall rating (3 stars) is above the state average of 2.6, staff turnover (48%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (3 stars) is at the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Willow Creek Retirement Center?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "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?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?"
Is Willow Creek Retirement Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 3-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Mississippi. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Willow Creek Retirement Center Stick Around?
WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER has a staff turnover rate of 48%, which is about average for Mississippi 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 Willow Creek Retirement Center Ever Fined?
WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER has been fined $8,018 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Mississippi average of $33,159. 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 Willow Creek Retirement Center on Any Federal Watch List?
WILLOW CREEK RETIREMENT CENTER 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.