What is Hillcrest Firethorn's Medicare star rating?

CMS rates Hillcrest Firethorn 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).

How many deficiencies did Hillcrest Firethorn get at its last inspection?

4 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on April 1, 2025. The Nebraska average is 7.4.

Has Hillcrest Firethorn been fined?

CMS lists no fines in the last three years.

Does Hillcrest Firethorn accept Medicaid?

It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.

Who owns Hillcrest Firethorn?

CMS lists 10 owners and managers. Legal business name: HILLCREST FIRETHORN, LLC.

Hillcrest Firethorn: Inspections, Staffing & Ratings

The record in brief

At its most recent standard inspection, on April 1, 2025, inspectors cited 4 health deficiencies (the Nebraska average is 7.4, the national average 9.2).

Of 12 health citations since May 2023, 1 was rated as actual harm or immediate jeopardy to residents.

CMS lists no fines against this home in the last three years.

Nurses and nurse aides worked 3.89 hours per resident per day, against 3.98 across Nebraska and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.47 of those hours.

37.8% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (Nebraska average 48.7%).

Health inspections

Federal rules call for a standard inspection at least every 15 months, plus a visit whenever a complaint is filed. Each mark below is one citation, colored by how serious inspectors rated it. How to read a citation.

Under each citation, the quoted text is the inspector's own summary from the federal statement of deficiencies (CMS form 2567), word for word apart from a privacy scrub; CMS removes residents' and staff names before it publishes the text. The full notes are on Medicare.gov.

205/23

404/24

202/25

404/25

Potential for minimal harm Potential for more than minimal harm Actual harm Immediate jeopardy Found on a complaint visit

Where its citations fall on CMS's grid

CMS rates every citation by how much harm it caused (rows) and how many residents it touched (columns). The count in each box is this home's, across all 12 health citations on file.

Severity

Isolated

Pattern

Widespread

Immediate jeopardy

Actual harm

Potential for more than minimal harm

Potential for minimal harm

April 1, 2025Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 4 citations

F

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 14, 2025

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.11(E) Based on observations and interview the facility failed to label and date opened packages of food in the walk- in freezer and failed to cover items in the walk in refrigerator and to discard processed food items passed the 7 day date to prevent the potential for food borne illness. This had the potential to affect all 56 residents. The facility census was 56.
D

Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate.

F554 · Resident Rights · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 14, 2025

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.10(A)(i) Based on observations and interviews, the facility failed to assess the resident for safe self-administration (something is done or given by oneself, rather than by someone else, particularly in the context of medications or tests) of medications and obtain orders for bedside medication for 2 Residents (Resident 2 and 40) out of 6 sampled residents. The facility census was 56.
D

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.

F761 · Pharmacy Service · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 14, 2025

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number NAC 12-006.12(D)(i) Based on observation, interview and record review; the facility failed to ensure that medications were stored in locked compartments for 3 (Residents 38, 30, and 112) of 6 residents sampled for medication administration. The facility census was 56.
D

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

F880 · Infection Control · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 14, 2025

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 1-005.06(D) Based on observation, interview, and record review the facility failed to implement Enhanced Barrier Precautions (EBP- Specifically gowning and gloving to prevent the spread of bacteria resistant infection), for 4 (Resident 26, 17, and 34) of 7 sampled residents. The facility staff identified census of 56.

February 20, 2025Complaint inspection · 2 citations

G

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

F684 · Quality of Life and Care · Actual harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) March 10, 2025

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 174 NAC 12-006.09(H)(iv) Based on record review and observation, the facility failed to provide the facility's outlined bowel management program for 1 (Resident 3) of 3 residents sampled and instead provided digital stimulation for Resident 3. The facility also failed to provide prompt medical attention for 1 (Resident 1) of 4 sampled residents. Facility census was 65.
D

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

F580 · Resident Rights · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) March 10, 2025

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.04(F)(i)(5) Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure 1 (Resident 1) of 4 sampled resident's provider and resident's representative were notified of an emergent (unexpected) significant change in medical condition. The facility census was 65.

April 11, 2024Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 4 citations

F

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

F812 · Nutrition and Dietary · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 21, 2024

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.11E Based on observation, interview, and record review; the facility kitchen staff failed to label and date opened packages of food in the walk-in refrigerator and dry storage, failed to dispose of expired food from the walk-in refrigerator, and failed to perform hand hygiene while prepping room trays for lunch to prevent the potential of spread of infection and cross contamination. This had the potential to affect all 60 residents. The facility census was 60.
F

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

F880 · Infection Control · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, widespread · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 21, 2024

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.17D Based on observation, record review and interview; the facility failed to perform hand hygiene to prevent the spread of infection and prevent cross contamination during catheter care and wound care for 1 resident (Resident 14) of 1 sampled resident. The facility census was 60.
D

Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.

F644 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 21, 2024

Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure a Level II PASARR (A Level II is necessary to confirm the indicated Mental Illness (MI)/Intellectual Disability (ID) diagnosis and to determine whether placement or continued stay in a Nursing Facility is appropriate) was completed after receiving a new diagnosis of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and Anxiety Disorder, for 1 of 1 sampled residents (Resident 28). The facility identified a census of 60.
D

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

F657 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) May 21, 2024

Inspectors wroteLicensure Reference Number 175 NAC 12-006.09C1c Based on record review and interview; the facility failed to review and revise the baseline care plan for 1 (Resident 68) of 1 sampled resident after a fall with major injury. The facility census was 60.

May 16, 2023Standard inspection · 2 citations

E

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

F689 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) June 21, 2023

Inspectors wroteLICENSURE REFERENCE NUMBER 175 NAC 12-006.09D7a Based on observations, interviews, and record review, the facility failed to ensure bath belts were utilized to ensure safety during [NAME] pool bathing. This had the potential to effect 29 of 37 residents who received [NAME] pool baths on Wilderness Ridge North and Wilderness Ridge South. The facility census was 63.
D

Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

F684 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) June 21, 2023

Inspectors wroteLICENSURE REFERENCE NUMBER: 175 NAC 12-006.09 Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to complete post fall neurological assessments for Resident 111. The facility census was 63.

Fire safety inspections

23 fire safety citations on file: 3 on April 1, 2025, 9 on April 11, 2024, 11 on May 16, 2023.

Every fire safety citation23 citations

F
Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.

K 374 · April 1, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

K 920 · April 1, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
E
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.

K 353 · April 1, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
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.

K 222 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.

K 500 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.

K 711 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.

K 712 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

K 761 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed.

K 921 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
E
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.

K 363 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
E
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.

K 919 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
E
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

K 920 · April 11, 2024 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Implement emergency and standby power systems.

E 41 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

K 321 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.

K 324 · May 16, 2023 · Waiver
F
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.

K 345 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.

K 346 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Meet other general requirements that are deficient.

K 500 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.

K 711 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
To conduct inspection, testing and maintenance of fire doors by qualified individuals.

K 761 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
F
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.

K 918 · May 16, 2023 · Waiver
E
Meet requirements for the use of electrical equipment.

K 919 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
E
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.

K 920 · May 16, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)

Fines and payment denials

CMS lists no fines or payment denials against this home in the last three years. The national average is 0.9 fines per home.

Staffing

Hours of care per resident per day, from the payroll records every home sends CMS. Higher means more staff time with each resident.

Measure	This home	Nebraska	United States
All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides)	3.89	3.98	3.86
Registered nurses	0.47	0.67	0.69
All nursing staff on weekends	3.48	3.48	3.42
Nurse aides	2.34
Licensed practical nurses	1.08
Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year)	37.8%	48.7%	45.8%
Registered nurse turnover	50.0%	44.1%	42.9%
Administrators who left	1

CMS expects 3.58 hours a day for residents as sick as this home's (its case-mix figure). The staffing star compares the two.

Staffing by quarter, from daily payroll records

Every nursing home sends CMS its staff hours for each day (the Payroll Based Journal). Here they are added up by quarter. The latest quarter is the one behind the figures above. In January to March 2026, nursing staff hours per resident were 4.06 on weekdays and 3.48 on weekends, 14% lower on weekends (nationally, weekends ran 15% lower). Contract or agency staff worked 0.0% of nursing hours, against 5.3% nationally. Total nursing hours per resident went from 4.22 in April to June 2025 to 3.89 in January to March 2026.

Quarter	All nursing staff	Registered nurses	Weekdays	Weekends	Contract staff share	Days with no RN hours	Residents a day
Jan to Mar 2026	3.89	0.47	4.06	3.48	0.0%	0 of 90	64
Oct to Dec 2025	4.01	0.37	4.18	3.55	0.0%	0 of 92	59
Jul to Sep 2025	4.03	0.36	4.24	3.50	0.0%	1 of 92	60
Apr to Jun 2025	4.22	0.49	4.45	3.64	0.0%	0 of 91	59
United States, Jan to Mar 2026	3.75	0.62	3.92	3.33	5.3%	0.5% of days
Nebraska, Jan to Mar 2026	4.01	0.66	4.21	3.53	7.1%	1.6% of days

Hours per resident per day: staff hours in the quarter divided by resident days (the daily census CMS derives from resident assessments). Registered nurses include the director of nursing and RNs with administrative duties; aides include nurse aides in training and medication aides, as in CMS's own staffing measure. How these are calculated.

Staff pay reports

Staff pay at this home

No staff pay figure for this home has passed review yet. A figure appears only after at least 5 reports from at least 3 different people, sent over at least 60 days, have passed review. If you work here, your report helps start one.

Official wage estimates for Nebraska

Job	Median	Middle half	Employed
Nebraska, all employers
CNAs (nursing assistants)	$19.23	$18.29 to $22.31	16,450
LPNs and LVNs	$30.13	$28.41 to $34.55	4,580
Registered nurses	$40.74	$38.09 to $47.90	24,720
United States, nursing care facilities
CNAs (nursing assistants)	$20.67	$17.91 to $22.55	534,270
LPNs and LVNs	$33.86	$30.05 to $37.40	188,210
Registered nurses	$41.11	$37.85 to $47.68	142,270

Hourly wages; the middle half runs from the 25th to the 75th percentile. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. BLS has no separate estimate for medication aides. These are survey estimates for whole occupations, not figures for any one home.

How staff pay reports work · CNA pay by state

Quality measures

The measures CMS uses for the quality star. Lower is better for every one of them.

Measure	This home	Nebraska	US
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	16.7	19.0	13.9
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	0.0	1.4	0.8
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	0.7	2.8	1.6
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	1.4	4.5	3.2
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	0.2	2.0	1.6
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	20.0	18.2	14.1
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	5.9	4.0	4.6
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1	12.4	20.7	15.4
Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231	26.0	20.7	23.8
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231	8.5	11.4	12.0
Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231	2.2	1.8	1.9
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231	0.7	1.9	1.8

Short-term rehab results

For a stay to recover after a hospital visit, these are the results CMS publishes for Hillcrest Firethorn's Medicare short-stay residents. On returning residents home or to the community, CMS rates it better than the national rate (64.8% of residents, after adjusting for how sick they were). How to read these, and what Medicare pays for.

Went home or back to the community

64.8% this home

Better than the national rate

US median of homes 51.5% · Nebraska: 17 better, 24 worse

Rate of successful return to home or community from a SNF (risk-standardized discharge to community rate). Higher is better. October 2022 to September 2024. 419 eligible stays.

Potentially preventable readmissions

10.1% this home

No different from the national rate

US median of homes 10.7% · Nebraska: 2 better, 0 worse

Rate of potentially preventable hospital readmissions 30 days after discharge from a SNF (risk-standardized rate). Lower is better. October 2022 to September 2024. 388 eligible stays.

Infections that led to a hospital stay

6.7% this home

No different from the national rate

US median of homes 7.1% · Nebraska: 2 better, 0 worse

Percentage of infections residents got during their SNF stay that resulted in hospitalization (risk-standardized rate). Lower is better. October 2023 to September 2024. 269 eligible stays.

Self-care and mobility at discharge

78.4% this home

Median of homes: Nebraska50.0% · US 56.6%

Percentage of residents who are at or above an expected ability to care for themselves and move around at discharge. Higher is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 148 residents counted.

Falls with major injury

0.5% this home

Median of homes: Nebraska0.0% · US 0.0%

Percentage of SNF residents who experience one or more falls with major injury during their SNF stay. Lower is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 194 residents counted.

New or worsened pressure ulcers

5.9% this home

Median of homes: Nebraska2.2% · US 1.7%

Percentage of residents with pressure ulcers or pressure injuries that are new or worsened (adjusted rate). Lower is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 194 residents counted.

Medication list given at discharge

100.0% this home

Median of homes: Nebraska100.0% · US 98.7%

Percentage of residents where the SNF provided a current medication list to the resident, family, and/or caregiver at final discharge. Higher is better. October 2024 to September 2025. 121 residents counted.

Source: CMS Skilled Nursing Facility Quality Reporting Program - Provider Data, released 2026-09-30. Better, no different and worse are CMS's own comparisons with the national rate, after adjusting for how sick residents were. Medians of homes and the state counts are worked out by us from the same file.

Owners and operators

Legal business name: HILLCREST FIRETHORN, LLC.

Name	Role	Type	Share	Since
Hillcrest Operating Ventures, LLC	5% or greater direct ownership interest	Organization	100%	05/09/2016
Svendgard, Staci	W-2 managing employee	Individual		07/05/2023
Janicki, James	Corporate officer	Individual		01/01/2024
Mulhearn, Kevin	Corporate officer	Individual		06/30/2023
Oestmann, Matthew	Corporate officer	Individual		01/01/2024
Hillcrest Health Systems Inc	Operational/managerial control	Organization		05/09/2016
Aswege-Mezenberg, Debra	Operational/managerial control	Individual		07/01/2023
Janicki, James	Operational/managerial control	Individual		01/01/2024
Mulhearn, Kevin	Operational/managerial control	Individual		06/30/2023
Oestmann, Matthew	Operational/managerial control	Individual		01/01/2024

As listed in the CMS ownership file, which names owners with a 5% or greater stake and the people and companies with operational or managerial control.

Questions to ask on a visit

Chosen from this home's own inspection record.

How do you prevent falls and pressure injuries, and how are families told when one happens?Inspectors cited 3 problems in this area, most recently on February 20, 2025: "Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals."
Can we see a week of menus and the kitchen, and how are special diets handled?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on April 1, 2025: "Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards."
How do residents and families raise a complaint or grievance, and how fast is it answered?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on April 1, 2025: "Allow residents to self-administer drugs if determined clinically appropriate."
What changed in infection control since the last inspection, and who on staff is the infection preventionist?Inspectors cited 2 problems in this area, most recently on April 1, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.

Other nursing homes nearby

Holmes Lake Rehabilitation & Care Center
Lincoln, 2.4 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 24 citations
Emerald Nursing & Rehab Brookside LLC
Lincoln, 2.9 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 44 citations
St. Jane De Chantal
Lincoln, 3 mi · 4 of 5 stars · 11 citations
Southlake Village Rehabilitation & Care Center
Lincoln, 3.1 mi · 5 of 5 stars · 6 citations
Eastmont
Lincoln, 3.2 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 8 citations
Ambassador Health of Lincoln
Lincoln, 3.5 mi · 2 of 5 stars · 16 citations
Gateway Vista
Lincoln, 3.7 mi · 3 of 5 stars · 9 citations
Eventide Lincoln Care Center
Lincoln, 3.8 mi · 1 of 5 stars · 28 citations

Nebraska contacts for a concern about a nursing home

These are the official offices in Nebraska. NursingHomeClear cannot take or act on complaints.

Inspections and complaints: Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Licensure Unit, Long Term Care Facilities, the state agency that inspects nursing homes for CMS and takes complaints about care.
Resident advocate: Nebraska Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, (800) 942-7830. The long-term care ombudsman is a free, confidential advocate for residents and families, set up under the federal Older Americans Act.

Common questions

What is Hillcrest Firethorn's Medicare star rating?: CMS rates Hillcrest Firethorn 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 3 for health inspections, 3 for staffing and 5 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
How many deficiencies did Hillcrest Firethorn get at its last inspection?: 4 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on April 1, 2025. The Nebraska average is 7.4.
Has Hillcrest Firethorn been fined?: CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
Does Hillcrest Firethorn accept Medicaid?: It is certified to take Medicaid (CMS lists it as "Medicare and Medicaid"). Certification does not mean a Medicaid bed is open: ask the admissions office.
Who owns Hillcrest Firethorn?: CMS lists 10 owners and managers. Legal business name: HILLCREST FIRETHORN, LLC.

Sources

Ratings, staffing and fines: CMS Provider Information, released September 30, 2026, data as of September 1, 2026.
Citations: CMS Health Deficiencies and Fire Safety Deficiencies.
Owners: CMS Ownership. Penalties: CMS Penalties.
Staffing by quarter: CMS Payroll Based Journal Daily Nurse Staffing, April 2025 to March 2026, summed by NursingHomeClear.
Inspector summaries: CMS Full Statement of Deficiencies (CMS-2567 text), data as of September 1, 2026. Each quote is the part of the statement before the detailed findings.
Inspection reports with the inspectors' full notes are on this home's Medicare.gov page.
Something wrong on this page? Ask for a correction. We fix errors in our copy of the data; findings themselves can only be changed by CMS and the state.
NursingHomeClear is independent and not affiliated with CMS, Medicare or any state agency. This page reports federal records; it does not rate, recommend or endorse any home, and it is not medical or legal advice.