Hillcrest Firethorn
Strong Medicare quality ratings; families often praise effective physical and occupational therapy. Still worth an in-person visit.
based on 48 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
This facility offers excellent physical and occupational therapy, which has helped many residents regain independence. However, the recurring reports of slow call-light response times and inconsistent night-shift care are serious concerns. We strongly recommend visiting during off-hours and asking the administration specifically how they monitor call-light response times and ensure patient nutrition.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
48 reviews on Google“Hillcrest Firethorn receives highly polarized reviews, with many families praising the physical therapy and nursing staff for helping loved ones recover, while others report severe neglect and communication failures. While some residents describe a clean, caring environment, a significant number of reviewers cite dangerous delays in responding to call lights, issues with medication management, and poor care during night shifts.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Effective physical and occupational therapy
- Clean and modern facility
- Compassionate and attentive individual nurses
- Helpful administrative and social work support
Concerns
- Extremely slow or non-responsive call light system (mentioned by 9 reviewers)
- Neglect regarding basic needs like feeding and hygiene (mentioned by 6 reviewers)
- Poor communication between departments and with families (mentioned by 4 reviewers)
- Inconsistent care quality during night shifts (mentioned by 3 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 51 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility actively engages with reviewer feedback.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed your management team is very active in responding to feedback; how does the administration use resident and family input to improve daily operations?
- 2What specific protocols are in place to ensure that call lights are answered promptly, especially during the overnight hours?
- 3How do you ensure consistent communication between the nursing staff and family members regarding changes in a resident's care plan?
- 4Can you walk me through your process for medication management to ensure everything is handled accurately and timely?
- 5What kind of daily activities or social programs are available to keep residents engaged and connected with one another?
- 6In the event of a medical emergency during the night shift, what is the immediate procedure for getting specialized care to a resident?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“My Dad was telling the nurse all day he couldn't breathe and something was very wrong. I was other the phone with him and the nurse told him he was fine and to quit complaining. The night nurse came in and she actually checked him out his oxygen level was at 79 she immediately called me and said she was sending him by ambulance to Bryan East he had a collapsed lung and pneumonia”
“During my Uncle’s seven week stay here, he was treated with an amazing balance of kindness and professionalism that has helped him thrive and walk again!”
“My loved one spent hours wet developed a huge wound and the staff would not feed her. Family would show to the facility and her food tray would still be there from breakfast- untouched and the utensils clean.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
12
measures
1
measures
4
measures
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Residents whose walking got worse
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Hillcrest Firethorn has received 35 federal deficiencies across four surveys, with families filing complaints that triggered 5 deficiencies. The most recurring issues involve fire safety and electrical systems, resident care planning, and infection control. While all identified problems have correction dates, the persistence of electrical safety violations across multiple surveys and recent complaint-triggered deficiencies regarding treatment care and family notifications suggest ongoing care quality concerns that warrant careful consideration during your visit.
Apr 1, 2025Routine6
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Apr 1, 2025Complaint1
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Feb 20, 2025Complaint2
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Apr 11, 2024Routine12
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress Deficiencies
Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.
Services Deficiencies
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Apr 11, 2024Complaint1
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
May 16, 2023Routine13
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Implement emergency and standby power systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Services Deficiencies
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Hillcrest Firethorn
for profit
Ownership & Management
Owners
Hillcrest Operating Ventures, LLC
Owner · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
48 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit hillcresthealth.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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