Hillcrest Convalescent Center
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Hillcrest Convalescent Center has an impressive Trust Grade of A, indicating it is highly recommended and offers excellent care. Ranking #38 out of 417 facilities in North Carolina places it in the top half, while its #2 position out of 13 in Durham County shows that only one nearby option is better. The facility is new and has not had any previous inspections, which means there is no concerning trend to report. Staffing is a strong point, with a perfect 5-star rating and a turnover rate of 38%, which is well below the state average, suggesting that staff members remain long-term and are familiar with the residents' needs. Notably, there have been no fines or incidents reported, indicating a clean record and compliance with health standards, which is reassuring for families considering this facility.
- Trust Score
- A
- In North Carolina
- #38/417
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Too New
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 38% turnover. Near North Carolina's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most North Carolina facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 75 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of North Carolina nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ✓ Good
- No deficiencies on record. Exceptional compliance history. Very rare.
The Good
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5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
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Staff turnover below average (38%)
10 points below North Carolina average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Near North Carolina avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 0 deficiencies on record
Clean Inspection Record
This facility has zero deficiencies on record - the average nursing home has 7. Only 1% of facilities nationally achieve a completely clean inspection record.
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
- • Grade A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in North Carolina.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most North Carolina facilities.
- • No deficiencies on record. Exceptional compliance history. Very rare.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Hillcrest Convalescent Center's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns Hillcrest Convalescent Center an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within North Carolina, 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 Convalescent Center Staffed?
CMS rates Hillcrest Convalescent Center's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 38%, compared to the North Carolina average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Hillcrest Convalescent Center?
Based on CMS data, Hillcrest Convalescent Center has no deficiency citations on record during the current review period. This is relatively uncommon - most facilities receive at least some citations during routine inspections.
Who Owns and Operates Hillcrest Convalescent Center?
Hillcrest Convalescent Center is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 86 certified beds and approximately 80 residents (about 93% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Durham, North Carolina.
How Does Hillcrest Convalescent Center Compare to Other North Carolina Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in North Carolina, Hillcrest Convalescent Center's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (38%) 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 Hillcrest Convalescent 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 Hillcrest Convalescent Center Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, Hillcrest Convalescent 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 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in North Carolina. 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 Convalescent Center Stick Around?
Hillcrest Convalescent Center has a staff turnover rate of 38%, which is about average for North Carolina 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 Hillcrest Convalescent Center Ever Fined?
Hillcrest Convalescent Center has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Hillcrest Convalescent Center on Any Federal Watch List?
Hillcrest Convalescent 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.