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CMS Nursing Home Compare · March 2026

Hill Top House

505 W Elm, Bucklin, KS 67834

Hill Top House, a 29-bed government - hospital district nursing facility in Bucklin, KS, holds a 4-star CMS overall rating - well above the 3.0-star national average, with nurse staffing above the national norm. 1 inspection finding reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy level.

CMS combines health inspections, nurse-staffing levels, and clinical quality measures into the overall star rating, read the components below; they often tell a sharper story than the headline.

Phone: 6208263202

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4 / 5
Above average · CMS overall · nat'l 3.0
4.47
Above average · nurse hrs/day · nat'l 3.89
15
Inspection findings · 1 serious
$0
Federal penalties (0)

Health Inspection

3/5

Staffing

5/5

Quality Measures

4/5

Long-Stay Quality

4/5

Facility Information

Provider Number
175500
Ownership
Government - Hospital district
Provider Type
Medicare and Medicaid
Beds
29
Residents
23
In Hospital
No
County
Ford
Last Inspection
Nov 20, 2024

Staffing Data

How the 4.47 total nursing hours per resident-day are staffed:

RN Hours
1.05 (nat'l avg: 0.68)
LPN Hours
0.27
CNA Hours
3.15
Total Nursing Hours
4.47 (nat'l avg: 3.89)
PT Hours
0.00
Nursing Turnover
54.3%

What the CMS Record Reveals About Hill Top House

Hill Top House operates 29 certified beds in Bucklin, KS with approximately 23 residents currently in care, and carries a CMS overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. The overall score is a composite of three weighted sub-ratings published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: health inspection results (3★), staffing levels (5★), and quality measures (4★). Because CMS caps the overall score at the health-inspection tier and then adjusts up or down based on staffing and quality, the sub-scores often tell a sharper story than the headline star count alone, a 3-star facility with weak inspection history reads differently from one held back by thin staffing.

The inspection file contains 15 deficiency records from recent surveys, of which 1 reached the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy threshold on the CMS scope-and-severity grid. No fines or payment denials have been assessed against this provider, suggesting issues, if any, did not rise to the enforcement threshold. Staffing is reported at 4.47 total nursing hours per resident day (national average 3.89), with RN coverage at 1.05 per resident day, the single staffing metric most strongly tied to resident outcomes in peer-reviewed literature.

Classified as "Government - Hospital district" ownership and operating as a "Medicare and Medicaid" provider, Hill Top House falls into a category where comparative context matters. National research consistently shows that ownership structure, staffing hours, and turnover are the three operational levers that correlate most strongly with resident outcomes, ratings and fines are lagging indicators of those upstream choices. Reported nursing turnover at this facility is 54.3%, above the level where continuity of care typically begins to suffer. For families evaluating this facility, the CMS record should be read alongside a site visit, direct conversation with current residents and their families, and review of the state health department's most recent inspection report, the star rating is a starting point, not a verdict. All data on this page is sourced from CMS Provider Data and the Nursing Home Compare program; always verify details directly with the facility or your state survey agency before making placement decisions.

Deficiency History (15 most recent)

F - Widespread - Minimal harm Nov 20, 2024 Tag: 0880

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Category: Infection Control Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 4, 2025

F - Widespread - Minimal harm Nov 20, 2024 Tag: 0851

Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data.

Category: Administration Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 4, 2025

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 20, 2024 Tag: 0849

Arrange for the provision of hospice services or assist the resident in transferring to a facility that will arrange for the provision of hospice services.

Category: Administration Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 4, 2025

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 20, 2024 Tag: 0758

Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.

Category: Pharmacy Service Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 4, 2025

F - Widespread - Minimal harm Nov 20, 2024 Tag: 0726

Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.

Category: Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 4, 2025

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Nov 20, 2024 Tag: 0655

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Jan 4, 2025

G - Isolated - Actual harm Feb 15, 2023 Tag: 0689

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

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Mar 1, 2023

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Feb 15, 2023 Tag: 0657

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

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Mar 1, 2023

C - Widespread - No harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0882

Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.

Category: Infection Control Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

F - Widespread - Minimal harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0838

Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies.

Category: Administration Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0695

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Category: Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0661

Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0656

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Category: Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

E - Pattern - Minimal harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0585

Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.

Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

D - Isolated - Minimal harm Aug 2, 2021 Tag: 0550

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Category: Resident Rights Deficiencies

Corrected: Sep 9, 2021

Quality Measures

Measure Type Score Used in Rating
Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased Long Stay 11.8% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder Long Stay 0.7% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection Long Stay 0.0% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury Long Stay 6.0% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened Long Stay 11.6% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers Long Stay 2.4% Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication Long Stay 18.4% Yes
Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication Short Stay N/A Yes
Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight Long Stay 1.4% No
Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms Long Stay 5.1% No
Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained Long Stay 0.0% No
Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine Long Stay 80.7% No
Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication Long Stay 18.7% No
Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine Long Stay 100.0% No
Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence Long Stay 24.7% No
Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine Short Stay 55.6% No
Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine Short Stay N/A No

Penalty History

No penalties on record.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the overall CMS rating for Hill Top House?
Hill Top House has an overall CMS rating of 4 out of 5 stars. This rating combines health inspection results (3★), staffing levels (5★), and quality measures (4★).
What are the staffing levels at Hill Top House?
Hill Top House reports 4.47 total nursing hours per resident day (national average: 3.89). RN hours are 1.05 per resident day (national average: 0.68). Nursing staff turnover is 54.3%.
How many beds does Hill Top House have?
Hill Top House has 29 certified beds with approximately 23 residents. The facility is located at 505 W Elm, Bucklin, KS 67834.
Does Hill Top House have any deficiencies on record?
Yes, Hill Top House has 15 deficiencies on record from recent inspections. Of these, 1 are classified as causing actual harm or jeopardy.
Has Hill Top House received any fines or penalties?
No, Hill Top House has no fines or penalties on record.
Who owns Hill Top House?
Hill Top House is classified as "Government - Hospital district" ownership. The facility type is "Medicare and Medicaid".
When was Hill Top House last inspected?
The most recent health inspection for Hill Top House was on Nov 20, 2024. The facility received a health inspection rating of 3 out of 5 stars.
What quality measures are tracked for Hill Top House?
Hill Top House is evaluated on 17 quality measures, of which 8 are used in the CMS star rating calculation. These include measures for both long-stay and short-stay residents covering areas like infections, falls, pressure ulcers, and medication use.

Data Sources

Data source: CMS Nursing Home Compare. Ratings, staffing, deficiency, quality measure, and penalty data are from CMS Provider Data. For informational purposes only. Always verify information directly with the facility or your state health department.

Source: CMS Nursing Home Compare provider data (data.cms.gov). See our methodology for how this page is compiled. Ratings, staffing, health-inspection deficiency, and Civil Money Penalty records are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services under a public-domain (CC0) license.

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