Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest

968 East Wait Avenue, Wake Forest, NC 27588 (919) 556-4082
For profit - Corporation 130 Beds Independent Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
90/100
#39 of 417 in NC
Last Inspection: September 2025

Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.

Overview

Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest has earned a Trust Grade of A, which indicates that it is an excellent facility that comes highly recommended. It ranks #39 out of 417 nursing homes in North Carolina, placing it in the top half of the state, and #3 out of 20 in Wake County, meaning only two local facilities are rated higher. The facility is improving, as it has gone from one issue in 2023 to none in 2025, showing a positive trend in quality. Staff turnover is at 44%, which is lower than the North Carolina average, suggesting that caregivers are stable and familiar with the residents. While the nursing home has no fines on record, a recent inspection noted a concern regarding the improper storage temperature of medications in one of the medication rooms, indicating that there is room for improvement in operational practices. Overall, while the facility shows strengths in many areas, families should be aware of the need for continued oversight on medication management.

Trust Score
A
90/100
In North Carolina
#39/417
Top 9%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Getting Better
1 → 0 violations
Staff Stability
○ Average
44% 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
⚠ Watch
Each resident gets only 29 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — below average for North Carolina. Fewer RN minutes means fewer trained eyes watching for problems.
Violations
✓ Good
Only 1 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
★★★★★
5.0
Overall Rating
★★★☆☆
3.0
Staff Levels
★★☆☆☆
2.0
Care Quality
★★★★★
5.0
Inspection Score
Stable
2023: 1 issues
2025: 0 issues

The Good

  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover below average (44%)

    4 points below North Carolina average of 48%

Facility shows strength in fire safety.

The Bad

Staff Turnover: 44%

Near North Carolina avg (46%)

Typical for the industry

The Ugly 1 deficiencies on record

Jun 2023 1 deficiency
CONCERN (E)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Deficiency F0761 (Tag F0761)

Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents

Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to store medications at the refrigeration temperature specified by the manufacturer in 1 of 3 Medication Rooms observed (Unit 2 Med Room...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to store medications at the refrigeration temperature specified by the manufacturer in 1 of 3 Medication Rooms observed (Unit 2 Med Room). The findings included: On 6/6/23 at 10:42 AM, an observation was made of the facility's 100 Hall Medication (Med) Room. At that time, the Med Room's refrigerator temperature was observed to be 46 degrees Fahrenheit (o F) and within the recommended range (36o - 46o F) for refrigerated medications. However, a food-related refrigerator temperature log was observed to be taped onto the Med Room refrigerator. This temperature log indicated the Med Room refrigerator temperature should be less than 41o F. Accompanied by the facility's Director of Nursing (DON), an interview was conducted on 6/6/23 at 10:45 AM with the facility's consultant pharmacist. During the interview, use of the food-related refrigerator temperature log posted on the Med Room refrigerator was discussed. The consultant pharmacist confirmed the standard temperature range for refrigerated medications was 36o - 46o F. Accompanied by Nurse #1, an observation was made of the Unit 2 Medication Room (Med Room) on 6/6/23 at 10:48 AM. A thermometer placed inside of the Med Room's compact refrigerator indicated the refrigerator's temperature was 34o F (not within the recommended range for pharmaceuticals). Nurse #1 confirmed the temperature reading of the thermometer. A food-related temperature log was also observed to be taped onto the top of the Med Room's medication refrigerator at the time of the observation. This temperature log read as follows: Refridgerator [Refrigerator] Temperatures Log 1. Acceptable refrigerator temperature is at 41 F or below. 2. If temperature is not in range adjust the thermostat and retake temp in about 30 minutes. 3. If temperature is still not in range, move items to an appropriate refrigerator and notify Maintenance. The temperature log recorded the following temperatures taken in June 2023 to date: 6/1/23 at 2:00 AM = 32o F; 6/2/23 at 7:15 AM = 34o F; 6/3/23 at 7:00 AM = 36o F; 6/4/23 at 10:00 PM = 34o F; 6/5/23 at 12:00 AM = 38o F; 6/6/23 at 12:00 AM = 34o F. Four (4) out of the 6 recorded temperatures were outside of the recommended temperature range of 36o - 46o F for refrigerated medications. The contents of the Med Room refrigerator at the time of the observation included: --One unopened box of 1.5 mg / 0.5 milliliters Trulicity (an injectable antidiabetic medication) containing 4 single-dose pens; --4 unopened Lantus insulin pens; --1 unopened vial of Lantus insulin; --1 unopened vial of Levemir insulin; --3 unopened bottles of latanoprost ophthalmic eye drops (used for the treatment of glaucoma); A review of the manufacturers' product information for the individual medications stored in the Unit 2 Med Room refrigerator included the following storage requirements: -- Unopened Lantus insulin pens may be stored in a refrigerator (36o - 46o F); Do not freeze. -- Unopened vials of Lantus insulin may be stored in a refrigerator (36o - 46o F); Do not freeze. -- Unopened vials of Levemir insulin may be stored in a refrigerator (36o - 46o F); Do not freeze. -- Unopened (intact) bottles should be stored in a refrigerator (36o - 46o F). The facility's Director of Nursing (DON) joined Nurse #1 in the Unit 2 Med Room on 6/6/23 at 11:00 AM. At that time, concern related to the current temperature of the Med Room refrigerator and the previously recorded June temperatures recorded on the log were discussed. Upon review of the temperature log, the DON stated a nurse recording the temperatures should have called Maintenance to check on the refrigerator and to ensure it was within the appropriate temperature range. The DON also reported she would need to develop a new Med Room temperature log which included the correct temperature range of 36o F - 46o F for refrigerated medications. The DON stated she would call the Maintenance Director to request that he check on the refrigerator. On 6/6/23 at 11:10 AM, the Maintenance Director came to the Med Room with a new thermometer. The Maintenance Director was observed as he placed a new thermometer in the Unit 2 Med Room refrigerator (along with the old thermometer) to check both the temperature of the refrigerator and the accuracy of the old thermometer. Additionally, the Maintenance Director checked the thermostat setting of the refrigerator and reported it was set too cold. He stated the thermostat was turned up past 6 but should have been set at 5. The Maintenance Director was observed as he adjusted the refrigerator's thermostat. Accompanied by the Maintenance Director and Nurse #1, a second observation of the Unit 2 Med Room refrigerator was made on 6/6/23 at 12:10 PM. At that time, both the old and the new thermometers read the temperature of the refrigerator as 40o F (within the recommended range of 36o F - 46o F for refrigerated medications). The Maintenance Director reported the agreement of the two thermometers confirmed the accuracy of the original thermometer placed in the refrigerator.
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

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

Strengths
  • • 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.
  • • Only 1 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
Concerns
  • • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
Bottom line: Generally positive indicators. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.

About This Facility

What is Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest 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 Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest Staffed?

CMS rates Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest's staffing level at 3 out of 5 stars, which is average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 44%, compared to the North Carolina average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care. RN turnover specifically is 75%, which is notably high. RNs provide skilled clinical oversight, so turnover in this role can affect medical care quality.

What Have Inspectors Found at Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest?

State health inspectors documented 1 deficiencies at Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest during 2023. These included: 1 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest?

Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest 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 130 certified beds and approximately 111 residents (about 85% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in Wake Forest, North Carolina.

How Does Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest Compare to Other North Carolina Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in North Carolina, Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 2.8, staff turnover (44%) 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 Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest?

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 Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest 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 Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest Stick Around?

Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest has a staff turnover rate of 44%, 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 Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest Ever Fined?

Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest 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 Hillside Nursing Center Of Wake Forest on Any Federal Watch List?

Hillside Nursing Center of Wake Forest 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.