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Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation

188 Oscar Justice Road, Rutherfordton, NC 28139 · Rutherford County · (828) 286-9001

80 certified beds, about 73 residents a day · For profit - Limited Liability company · Medicare and Medicaid since 1972

Certified for Medicaid Certified for Medicare
Overall
3 of 5
Health inspections
4 of 5
Staffing
1 of 5
Quality measures
4 of 5

CMS Care Compare ratings, data as of September 1, 2026 · CCN 345083 · See it on Medicare.gov · Compare with other homes

The record in brief

At its most recent standard inspection, on March 12, 2026, inspectors cited 2 health deficiencies (the North Carolina average is 4.7, the national average 9.2).

Of 12 health citations since September 2023, 2 were 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 3.05 hours per resident per day, against 3.85 across North Carolina and 3.86 nationally. Registered nurses accounted for 0.34 of those hours.

61.0% of nursing staff left within the year CMS measured (North Carolina average 49.0%).

CMS links it to Ascent Healthcare Management, an affiliated group of 6 nursing homes.

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.

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
0J
0K
0L
Actual harm
2G
0H
0I
Potential for more than minimal harm
5D
5E
0F
Potential for minimal harm
0A
0B
0C
March 12, 2026Standard inspection · 2 citations
  1. 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 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 1, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record reviews, and staff interviews, the facility failed to secure insulin injector pens during medication administration, failed to date and label opened insulin injector pens, and failed to remove expired injector pens. This deficient practice was found in 1 of 2 medication carts reviewed for medication storage (Medication Cart #1).
  2. D
    Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
    F842 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) April 1, 2026
    Inspectors wroteBased on record review, and staff and Nurse Practitioner interviews, the facility failed to ensure an accurate medical record when medications were ordered by mouth instead of via gastrostomy tube (g-tube) for Resident #4. The facility also failed to accurately document the refusal of Resident #8's compression hose on the Treatment Administration Record (TAR). This was for 2 of 2 residents reviewed for accuracy of the medical record (Resident #4 and Resident #8).
January 9, 2025Standard inspection · 2 citations
  1. E
    Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
    F679 · Quality of Life and Care · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) January 22, 2025
    Inspectors wroteBased on record review, facility activity calendar, and resident and staff interviews, the facility failed to ensure group activities were planned for outside of the facility to meet the needs of residents who expressed that it was important to them to attend group activities outside of the facility for 7 of 7 residents reviewed for activities (Resident #1, #17, #26, #29, #37, #39 and #58). The residents expressed not being able to leave the facility for over a year made them feel sad, at times lonely or depressed and they missed going out with the group to engage in activities, eat at restaurants, shop and socialize.
  2. 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) January 22, 2025
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement their infection control policies and procedures when Nurse #1 failed to wear gloves while performing a capillary blood glucose test for Resident #36. This deficient practice occurred for 1 of 3 staff members observed for infection control practices.
September 13, 2023Standard inspection, Complaint inspection · 8 citations
  1. G
    Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
    F550 · Resident Rights · Actual harm, isolated · found on a complaint visit · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review and interviews with the resident and staff, the facility failed to treat a resident in a dignified manner by ensuring a dependent resident could access and activate the call light to request assistance from staff for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for dignity (Resident #122). Resident #122 stated having to yell out for assistance made her feel upset, aggravated and mad.
  2. G
    Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
    F558 · Resident Rights · Actual harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, record review and interviews with the resident and staff, the facility failed provide an adaptive call bell the resident could activate to call for assistance. This resulted in the resident relying on her voice to yell for assistance. This deficient practice occurred for 1 of 1 resident reviewed for accommodation of needs (Resident #122).
  3. E
    Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
    F756 · Pharmacy Service · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews with the resident, staff, Consultant Pharmacist, and the Medical Director (MD), The Consultant Pharmacist failed to identify drug irregularities and provide recommendations for 2 of 6 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications (Resident #10 and #40).
  4. E
    Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
    F760 · Pharmacy Service · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on record review and interviews with the resident, staff, Consultant Pharmacist, and the Medical Director (MD), the facility failed to prevent significant medication errors when nurses failed to follow the physician's parameter as ordered during insulin administration. As a result, Resident #10 had received 19 doses of unnecessary Novolog insulin within 69 days, and Resident #40 had missed 14 doses of Humalog insulin within 73 days. This affected 2 of 6 residents reviewed for unnecessary medications (Resident #10 and #40).
  5. E
    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, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observation, staff interviews, and record reviews, the facility failed to remove expired over the counter (OTC) medications in accordance with the manufacturer's expiration date for 1 or 2 medication rooms observed during medication storage checks (Medication Room B).
  6. E
    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, pattern · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility failed to remove expired food items in 2 of 2 nourishment rooms. These practices had the potential to affect food served to residents.
  7. D
    Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.
    F867 · Administration · No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm, isolated · Corrected (the home has a date of correction) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on observations, record review and staff interviews, the facility's Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) Committee failed to maintain implemented procedures and monitor interventions previously put in place following the recertification survey of 4/27/2022. The repeat deficiency was cited on the current recertification survey of 9/13/2023 in the area of Infection Control (F880). The facility's continued failure during two Federal Surveys showed a pattern of the facility's inability to sustain an effective QAA program.
  8. 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) September 18, 2023
    Inspectors wroteBased on record review, observations and staff interviews, the facility failed to implement their infection control policies for Covid-19 when Nurse #5 failed to change into full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), to include changing out of her surgical mask and applying a N95 mask, prior to entering a room that was on enhanced droplet precautions for Covid-19. This observation occurred during an active outbreak of Covid-19 for 1of 2 resident rooms on enhanced droplet precautions for positive Covid-19.

Fire safety inspections

14 fire safety citations on file: 4 on March 12, 2026, 8 on January 9, 2025, 2 on September 13, 2023.

Every fire safety citation14 citations
  1. D
    Use approved construction type or materials.
    K 161 · March 12, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  2. D
    Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
    K 321 · March 12, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  3. D
    Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
    K 353 · March 12, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  4. D
    Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
    K 511 · March 12, 2026 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  5. F
    Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment.
    K 511 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  6. F
    Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
    K 918 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  7. D
    Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency.
    K 211 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  8. D
    Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
    K 363 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  9. D
    Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
    K 521 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  10. D
    Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems.
    K 911 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  11. D
    Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
    K 914 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  12. D
    Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
    K 920 · January 9, 2025 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  13. D
    Use approved construction type or materials.
    K 161 · September 13, 2023 · Corrected (the home has a date of correction)
  14. D
    Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
    K 914 · September 13, 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.

MeasureThis homeNorth CarolinaUnited States
All nursing staff (RN, LPN and aides)3.053.853.86
Registered nurses0.340.620.69
All nursing staff on weekends2.713.423.42
Nurse aides1.96
Licensed practical nurses0.74
Nursing staff turnover (share who left in a year)61.0%49.0%45.8%
Registered nurse turnover44.4%45.6%42.9%
Administrators who left1

CMS expects 3.73 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 3.18 on weekdays and 2.71 on weekends, 15% 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 3.41 in April to June 2025 to 3.05 in January to March 2026.

QuarterAll nursing staffRegistered nursesWeekdaysWeekendsContract staff shareDays with no RN hoursResidents a day
Jan to Mar 20263.050.343.182.71 0.0%0 of 9073
Oct to Dec 20253.180.343.332.79 0.0%0 of 9275
Jul to Sep 20253.370.403.572.85 0.0%0 of 9276
Apr to Jun 20253.410.393.612.90 0.0%0 of 9177
United States, Jan to Mar 20263.750.623.923.335.3%0.5% of days
North Carolina, Jan to Mar 20263.650.533.823.258.0%0.7% 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.

Quality measures

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

MeasureThis homeNorth CarolinaUS
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
5.615.613.9
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
0.30.70.8
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
3.52.31.6
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
3.53.53.2
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication
Short Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
1.11.41.6
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
5.818.314.1
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
4.65.54.6
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication
Long Stay residents, 2025Q2-2026Q1
14.214.015.4
Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission
Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
13.322.923.8
Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit
Short Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
2.912.912.0
Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days
Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
1.21.81.9
Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days
Long Stay residents, 20250101-20251231
2.41.81.8

Owners and operators

Legal business name: RUTHERFORDTON NC OPCO LLC. CMS links this home to Ascent Healthcare Management, a group of 6 nursing homes averaging 2.2 stars overall.

NameRoleTypeShareSince
Friedman, YisroelOperational/managerial controlIndividual01/01/2024
Summerlin, WesleyOperational/managerial controlIndividual01/01/2024
Punzell, StevenAdp of the SNFIndividual04/10/2025
Summerlin, WesleyAdp of the SNFIndividual05/01/2025

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.

  1. How are medications reviewed, and how often are antipsychotic or sedating drugs used?Inspectors cited 4 problems in this area, most recently on March 12, 2026: "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."
  2. 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 January 9, 2025: "Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program."
  3. 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 September 13, 2023: "Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights."
  4. When is the care plan meeting, and can family attend it?Inspectors cited 1 problem in this area, most recently on March 12, 2026: "Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards."
  5. Who is on the floor on Saturday and Sunday, and how many residents does each aide care for?Weekend nurse staffing here was 2.71 hours per resident per day, below the North Carolina average of 3.42.
  6. How long has the current administrator been here?CMS counts 1 administrator who left in the period it measured.

Other nursing homes nearby

North Carolina contacts for a concern about a nursing home

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

Common questions

What is Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation's Medicare star rating?
CMS rates Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation 3 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 for health inspections, 1 for staffing and 4 for quality measures (CMS data as of September 1, 2026).
How many deficiencies did Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation get at its last inspection?
2 health deficiencies at the standard inspection on March 12, 2026. The North Carolina average is 4.7.
Has Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation been fined?
CMS lists no fines in the last three years.
Does Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation 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 Hilltop Health and Rehabilitation?
CMS lists 4 owners and managers, and links the home to Ascent Healthcare Management. Legal business name: RUTHERFORDTON NC OPCO LLC.

Sources

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