Hillcrest Nursing Home
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Hillcrest Nursing Home in McCook, Nebraska has received a Trust Grade of B, indicating it is a good choice for care but has room for improvement. It ranks #55 out of 177 facilities in Nebraska, placing it in the top half, and is the only option in Red Willow County. The facility is showing signs of improvement, having reduced issues from 6 in 2024 to just 1 in 2025. Staffing is a concern, rated 3 out of 5 stars, with a turnover rate of 61%, which is higher than the state average, suggesting staff stability may be an issue. Additionally, they have incurred $13,000 in fines, which is higher than 75% of Nebraska facilities, indicating potential compliance problems. While RN coverage is below average compared to 91% of state facilities, the nursing home has had several concerning incidents. For example, the facility failed to have a qualified Dietary Manager, which may affect residents' nutrition. There were also issues with food safety, including unsanitary food storage and staff not maintaining proper hygiene during food preparation. Lastly, there was a significant lapse in COVID-19 protocol, as a resident who tested positive was seen in common areas without proper precautions, putting others at risk. Overall, while there are strengths in care quality, families should be aware of these weaknesses and the need for improvement in certain areas.
- Trust Score
- B
- In Nebraska
- #55/177
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 61% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- $13,000 in fines. Lower than most Nebraska facilities. Relatively clean record.
- Skilled Nurses ⚠ Watch
- Each resident gets only 29 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for Nebraska. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
- Violations ○ Average
- 8 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in fire safety.
The Bad
15pts above Nebraska avg (46%)
Frequent staff changes - ask about care continuity
Below median ($33,413)
Minor penalties assessed
13 points above Nebraska average of 48%
The Ugly 8 deficiencies on record
Feb 2025
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0757
(Tag F0757)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Licensure Reference Number NAC 175 12-006.12(A)
Based on interview and record review the facility failed to provide an indicatio...
Read full inspector narrative →
Jan 2024
6 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
Quality of Care
(Tag F0684)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Licensure Refeference Number 175 NAC 12-006.09
Based on observation, interviews and record review, the facility failed to implement measures for a contracture of the left hand for 1 (Resident #26) of ...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.09D7b
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to implement interventions and ensure the resident's environment was free from...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.17D
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to implement the required infection prevention and control practices while adminis...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0804
(Tag F0804)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.11D
Based on observations, interviews, and record reviews, the facility failed to follow a recipe in a method to preserve nutritive value. This had the potent...
Read full inspector narrative →
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0801
(Tag F0801)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.04D2a
Based on an interview and record reviews, the facility failed to have a qualified Dietary Manager. This had the potential to affect all residents. The f...
Read full inspector narrative →
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
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Licensure Reference Number 175 NAC12-006.11E
Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility kitchen staff fa...
Read full inspector narrative →
Dec 2022
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Licensure Reference Number
175 NAC 12-006.17A
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to provide a sanitary environment by failing to ensure all staff were informed reg...
Read full inspector narrative →
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Why is there high staff turnover? How do you retain staff?"
- "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.
- • $13,000 in fines. Above average for Nebraska. Some compliance problems on record.
- • 61% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
About This Facility
What is Hillcrest Nursing Home's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Hillcrest Nursing Home an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Nebraska, 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 Hillcrest Nursing Home Staffed?
CMS rates Hillcrest Nursing Home's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 61%, which is 15 percentage points above the Nebraska average of 46%. High turnover can affect care consistency as new staff learn residents' individual needs. RN turnover specifically is 60%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.
What Have Inspectors Found at Hillcrest Nursing Home?
State health inspectors documented 8 deficiencies at Hillcrest Nursing Home during 2022 to 2025. These included: 8 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Hillcrest Nursing Home?
Hillcrest Nursing Home is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 100 certified beds and approximately 60 residents (about 60% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in McCook, Nebraska.
How Does Hillcrest Nursing Home Compare to Other Nebraska Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Nebraska, Hillcrest Nursing Home's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 2.9, staff turnover (61%) is significantly higher than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Hillcrest Nursing Home?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "How do you ensure continuity of care given staff turnover, and what is your staff retention strategy?" "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?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's high staff turnover rate.
Is Hillcrest Nursing Home Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Hillcrest Nursing Home 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 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Nebraska. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Hillcrest Nursing Home Stick Around?
Staff turnover at Hillcrest Nursing Home is high. At 61%, the facility is 15 percentage points above the Nebraska average of 46%. Registered Nurse turnover is particularly concerning at 60%. RNs handle complex medical decisions and coordinate care — frequent RN changes can directly impact care quality. High turnover means new staff may not know residents' individual needs, medications, or preferences. It can also be disorienting for residents, especially those with dementia who rely on familiar faces. Families should ask: What is causing the turnover? What retention programs are in place? How do you ensure care continuity during staff transitions?
Was Hillcrest Nursing Home Ever Fined?
Hillcrest Nursing Home has been fined $13,000 across 1 penalty action. This is below the Nebraska average of $33,209. 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 Hillcrest Nursing Home on Any Federal Watch List?
Hillcrest Nursing Home 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.