Assisted LivingFort Pierce, FLAHCA #11968585Updated October 5, 2026
Searching for Hills Creek Inc deficiencies? This landing page summarizes Florida AHCA inspection data for this assisted living in Fort Pierce, FL: Class I–IV counts, complaints, and a dated timeline of public findings so you can tour with clearer questions.
On this page: Class I–IV totals, 1 complaint, and 10 dated timeline events.
Public AHCA Class I–IV rollup for Hills Creek Inc.
Hills Creek Inc has enough citations or fines to warrant a careful read of inspection history, especially recurring categories.
Dated findings, fines, corrections, and license milestones · 10 events on record. Newest first.
EMERGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
EMERGENCY ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
MEDICATION
MEDICATION - STORAGE AND DISPOSAL(6) MEDICATION STORAGE AND DISPOSAL. (a) In order to accommodate the needs and preferences of residents and to encourage residents to remain as independent as possible, residents may keep their medications, both prescription and over-the-counter, in their possession both on or off the facility premises. Residents may also store their medication in their rooms or apartments if either the room is kept locked when residents are absent or the medication is stored in a secure place that is out of sight of other residents. (b) Both prescription and over-the-counter medications for residents must be centrally stored if: 1. The facility administers the medication; 2. The resident requests central storage. The facility must maintain a list of all medications being stored pursuant to such a request; 3. The medication is determined and documented by the health care provider to be hazardous if kept in the personal possession of the person for whom it is prescribed; 4. The resident fails to maintain the medication in a safe manner as described in this paragraph; 5. The facility determines that, because of physical arrangements and the conditions or habits of residents, the personal possession of medication by a resident poses a safety hazard to other residents, or 6. The facility's rules and regulations require central storage of medication and that policy has been provided to the resident before admission as required in Rule 59A-36.006, F.A.C. (c) Centrally stored medications must be: 1. Kept in a locked cabinet; locked cart; or other locked storage receptacle, room, or area at all times; 2. Located in an area free of dampness and abnormal temperature, except that a medication requiring refrigeration must be kept refrigerated. Refrigerated medications must be secured by being kept in a locked container within the refrigerator, by keeping the refrigerator locked, or by keeping the area in which the refrigerator is located locked; 3. Accessible to staff responsible for filling pill-organizers, assisting with self-administration of medication, or administering medication. Such staff must have ready access to keys or codes to the medication storage areas at all times; and, 4. Kept separately from the medications of other residents and properly closed or sealed. (d) Medication that has been discontinued but has not expired must be returned to the resident or the resident's representative, as appropriate, or may be centrally stored by the facility for future use by the resident at the resident's request. If centrally stored by the facility, the discontinued medication must be stored separately from medication in current use, and the area in which it is stored must be marked "discontinued medication." Such medication may be reused if prescribed by the resident's health care provider. (e) When a resident's stay in the facility has ended, the administrator must return all medications to the resident, the resident's family, or the resident's guardian unless otherwise prohibited by law. If, after notification and waiting at least 15 days, the resident's medications are still at the facility, the medications are considered abandoned and may disposed of in accordance with paragraph (f). (f) Medications that have been abandoned or have expired must be disposed of within 30 days of being determined abandoned or expired and the disposal must be documented in the resident's record. The medication may be taken to a pharmacist for disposal or may be destroyed by the administrator or designee with one witness. (g) Facilities that hold a Special-ALF permit issued by the Board of Pharmacy may return dispensed medicinal drugs to the dispensing pharmacy pursuant to Rule 64B16-28.870, F.A.C.
Corrected Jul 7, 2022
TRAINING
TRAINING - ASSIS SELF-ADMIN MEDS & MED MGMT59A-36.011 (6) ASSISTANCE WITH THE SELF-ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION AND MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. Unlicensed persons who will be providing assistance with the self-administration of medications as described in rule 59A-36.008, F.A.C., must meet the training requirements pursuant to section 429.52(6), F.S., prior to assuming this responsibility. Courses provided in fulfilment of this requirement must meet the following criteria: (a) Training must cover state law and rule requirements with respect to the supervision, assistance, administration, and management of medications in assisted living facilities; procedures and techniques for assisting the resident with self-administration of medication including how to read a prescription label; providing the right medications to the right resident; common medications; the importance of taking medications as prescribed; recognition of side effects and adverse reactions and procedures to follow when residents appear to be experiencing side effects and adverse reactions; documentation and record keeping; and medication storage and disposal. Training shall include demonstrations of proper techniques, including techniques for infection control, and ensure unlicensed staff have adequately demonstrated that they have acquired the skills necessary to provide such assistance. (b) The training must be provided by a registered nurse or licensed pharmacist who shall issue a training certificate to a trainee who demonstrates, in person and both physically and verbally, the ability to: 1. Read and understand a prescription label; 2. Provide assistance with self-administration in accordance with section 429.256, F.S., and rule 59A-36.008, F.A.C., including: a. Assist with oral dosage forms, topical dosage forms, and topical ophthalmic, otic and nasal dosage forms; b. Measure liquid medications, break scored tablets, and crush tablets in accordance with prescription directions; c. Recognize the need to obtain clarification of an "as needed" prescription order; d. Recognize a medication order which requires judgment or discretion, and to advise the resident, resident's health care provider or facility employer of inability to assist in the administration of such orders; e. Complete a medication observation record; f. Retrieve and store medication; g. Recognize the general signs of adverse reactions to medications and report such reactions; h. Assist residents with insulin syringes that are prefilled with the proper dosage by a pharmacist and insulin pens that are prefilled by the manufacturer by taking the medication, in its previously dispensed, properly labeled container, from where it is stored, and bringing it to the resident for self-injection; i. Assist with nebulizers; j. Use a glucometer to perform blood glucose testing; k. Assist residents with oxygen nasal cannulas and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, excluding the titration of the oxygen levels; l. Apply and remove anti-embolism stockings and hosiery; m. Placement and removal of colostomy bags, excluding the removal of the flange or manipulation of the stoma site; and, n. Measurement of blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, and respiratory rate. (c) Unlicensed persons, as defined in section 429.256(1)(b), F.S., who provide assistance with self-administered medications and have successfully completed the initial 6 hour training, must obtain, annually, a minimum of 2 hours of continuing education training on providing assistance with self-administered medications and safe medication practices in an assisted living facility. The 2 hours of continuing education training may be provided online. (d) Trained unlicensed staff who, prior to the effective date of this rule, assist with the self-administration of medication and have successfully completed 4 hours of assistance with self-administration of medication training must complete an additional 2 hours of training that focuses on the topics listed in sub-
Corrected Oct 7, 2020
LMH
LMH - TRAINING429.075 (1) To obtain a limited mental health license, a facility must hold a standard license as an assisted living facility, must not have any current uncorrected violations, and must ensure that, within 6 months after receiving a limited mental health license, the facility administrator and the staff of the facility who are in direct contact with mental health residents must complete training of no less than 6 hours related to their duties. This designation may be made at the time of initial licensure or relicensure or upon request in writing by a licensee under this part and part II of chapter 408. Notification of approval or denial of such request shall be made in accordance with this part, part II of chapter 408, and applicable rules. This training must be provided by or approved by the Department of Children and Families. 59A-36.011 (9) LIMITED MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING. (a) Pursuant to section 429.075, F.S., the administrator, managers and staff, who have direct contact with mental health residents in a licensed limited mental health facility, must receive the following training: 1. A minimum of 6 hours of specialized training in working with individuals with mental health diagnoses. a. The training must be provided or approved by the Department of Children and Families and must be taken within 6 months of the facility's receiving a limited mental health license or within 6 months of employment in a limited mental health facility. b. Training received under this subparagraph may count once for 6 of the 12 hours of continuing education required for administrators and managers pursuant to section 429.52(5), F.S., and subsection (1) of this rule. 2. A minimum of 3 hours of continuing education, which may be provided by the ALF administrator, online, or through distance learning, biennially thereafter in subjects dealing with one or more of the following topics: a. Mental health diagnoses; and, b. Mental health treatment such as: (I) Mental health needs, services, behaviors and appropriate interventions; (II) Resident progress in achieving treatment goals; (III) How to recognize changes in the resident's status or condition that may affect other services received or may require intervention; and, (IV) Crisis services and the Baker Act procedures. 3. For administrators and managers, the continuing education requirement under this subsection will satisfy 3 of the 12 hours of continuing education required biennially pursuant to section 429.52(5), F.S., and subsection (1) of this rule. 4. Administrators, managers and direct contact staff affected by the continuing education requirement under this subsection shall have up to 6 months after the effective date of this rule to meet the training requirement. (b) Administrators, managers and staff do not have to repeat the initial training should they change employers provided they present a copy of their training certificate to the current employer for retention in the facility's personnel files. They must also ensure that copies of the continuing education training certificates, pursuant to subparagraph (a)2. of this subsection, are retained in their personnel files.
Corrected Oct 7, 2020
MEDICATION
MEDICATION - RECORDS(5) MEDICATION RECORDS. (a) For residents who use a pill organizer managed in subsection (2), the facility must keep either the original labeled medication container; or a medication listing with the prescription number, the name and address of the issuing pharmacy, the health care provider's name, the resident's name, the date dispensed, the name and strength of the drug, and the directions for use. (b) The facility must maintain a daily medication observation record (MOR) for each resident who receives assistance with self-administration of medications or medication administration. A medication observation record must include the name of the resident and any known allergies the resident may have; the name of the resident's health care provider, the health care provider's telephone number; the name, strength, and directions for use of each medication; and a chart for recording each time the medication is taken, any missed dosages, refusals to take medication as prescribed, or medication errors. The medication observation record must be immediately updated each time the medication is offered or administered. (c) For medications that serve as chemical restraints, the facility must, pursuant to Section 429.41, F.S., maintain a record of the prescribing physician's annual evaluation of the use of the medication.
Corrected Jul 16, 2018
First Florida AHCA license date on record for this community. Later inspections and fines appear above as newer events.
MEDICATION
MEDICATION - RECORDS(5) MEDICATION RECORDS. (a) For residents who use a pill organizer managed in subsection (2), the facility must keep either the original labeled medication container; or a medication listing with the prescription number, the name and address of the issuing pharmacy, the health care provider's name, the resident's name, the date dispensed, the name and strength of the drug, and the directions for use. (b) The facility must maintain a daily medication observation record (MOR) for each resident who receives assistance with self-administration of medications or medication administration. A medication observation record must include the name of the resident and any known allergies the resident may have; the name of the resident's health care provider, the health care provider's telephone number; the name, strength, and directions for use of each medication; and a chart for recording each time the medication is taken, any missed dosages, refusals to take medication as prescribed, or medication errors. The medication observation record must be immediately updated each time the medication is offered or administered. (c) For medications that serve as chemical restraints, the facility must, pursuant to Section 429.41, F.S., maintain a record of the prescribing physician's annual evaluation of the use of the medication.
Corrected May 17, 2018
STAFFING STANDARDS
STAFFING STANDARDS - ADMINISTRATORS429.176 Notice of change of administrator.-If, during the period for which a license is issued, the owner changes administrators, the owner must notify the agency of the change within 10 days and provide documentation within 90 days that the new administrator has completed the applicable core educational requirements under s. 429.52. 58A-5.019 Staffing Standards. (1) ADMINISTRATORS. Every facility must be under the supervision of an administrator who is responsible for the operation and maintenance of the facility including the management of all staff and the provision of appropriate care to all residents as required by Part II, Chapter 408, F.S., Part I, Chapter 429, F.S., Rule Chapter 59A-35, F.A.C., and this rule chapter. (a) An administrator must: 1. Be at least 21 years of age; 2. If employed on or after October 30, 1995, have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or G.E.D.; 3. Be in compliance with Level 2 background screening requirements pursuant to Sections 408.809 and 429.174, F.S.; and 4. Complete the core training and core competency test requirements pursuant to Rule 58A-5.0191, F.A.C., no later than 90 days after becoming employed as a facility administrator. Individuals who have successfully completed these requirements before December 1, 2014, are not required to take either the 40 hour core training or test unless specified elsewhere in this rule. Administrators who attended core training prior to July 1, 1997, are not required to take the competency test unless specified elsewhere in this rule. 5. Satisfy the continuing education requirements pursuant to Rule 58A-5.0191, F.A.C. Administrators who are not in compliance with these requirements must retake the core training and core competency test requirements in effect on the date the non-compliance is discovered by the agency or the department. (b) In the event of extenuating circumstances, such as the death of a facility administrator, the agency may permit an individual who otherwise has not satisfied the training requirements of subparagraphs (1)(a)4. of this rule to temporarily serve as the facility administrator for a period not to exceed 90 days. During the 90 day period, the individual temporarily serving as facility administrator must: 1. Complete the core training and core competency test requirements pursuant to Rule 58A-5.0191, F.A.C.; and 2. Complete all additional training requirements if the facility maintains licensure as an extended congregate care or limited mental health facility. (c) Administrators may supervise a maximum of either three assisted living facilities or a group of facilities on a single campus providing housing and health care Administrators who supervise more than one facility must appoint in writing a separate manager for each facility. However, an administrator supervising a maximum of three assisted living facilities, each licensed for 16 or fewer beds and all within a 15 mile radius of each other, is only required to appoint two managers to assist in the operation and maintenance of those facilities. (d) An individual serving as a manager must satisfy the same qualifications, background screening, core training and competency test requirements, and continuing education requirements of an administrator pursuant to paragraph (1)(a) of this rule. Managers who attended the core training program prior to July 1, 1997, are not required to take the competency test unless specified elsewhere in this rule. In addition, a manager may not serve as a manager of more than a single facility, except as provided in paragraph (1)(c) of this rule, and may not simultaneously serve as an administrator of any other facility. (e) Pursuant to Section 429.176, F.S., facility owners must notify the Agency Central Office within 10 days of a change in facility administrator on the Notification of Change of Administrator form, AHCA Form 3180-1006, May 2013, which is incorporated by reference and available online at: http://www.flrules.org/Gatewa
Corrected May 17, 2018
Florida groups assisted living violations into four classes by how serious the risk is to residents (Fla. Stat. §§ 408.813, 429.19).
Conditions that present an imminent danger to residents or a substantial probability of death or serious physical or emotional harm.
Typical ALF fine: $5,000-$10,000 per violation (ALF). Highest severity. Must be corrected quickly, often within 24 hours.
Conditions that directly threaten the physical or emotional health, safety, or security of residents (short of Class I).
Typical ALF fine: $1,000-$5,000 per violation (ALF). Direct risk to resident well-being; fines apply even after correction.
Conditions that indirectly or potentially threaten resident health, safety, or security.
Typical ALF fine: $500-$1,000 per violation (ALF). Potential harm if left uncorrected; correction deadlines are specified.
Conditions related to operations, reports, or paperwork that do not threaten resident health, safety, or security.
Typical ALF fine: $100-$200 per violation (ALF). Lowest severity; often administrative. Fines may be waived if corrected on time.
Common questions families ask when researching Hills Creek Inc inspection history in Fort Pierce, FL.
Yes. Hills Creek Inc has 9 public deficiencies on the AHCA/CMS totals we track. Review the class breakdown and timeline on this page for dates and categories.
Hills Creek Inc has 9 deficiencies on the public totals we track.
Florida grades assisted living deficiencies Class I through IV by how serious the risk is to residents. Class I is imminent danger; Class IV is typically paperwork with no direct resident threat. Use the class chart on this page to see how this community's totals break down.
No fine amount is published on the current rollup. AHCA lists 1 complaint on file.
Totals come from Florida AHCA Health Finder public facility comparison data (deficiency class counts, complaints, and fines).
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Hills Creek Inc deficiency data is compiled from Florida AHCA public facility comparison fields and CMS Provider Data Catalog where available (page data refreshed October 5, 2026). Facilities may contest findings; always verify with the latest official inspection report before making a care decision.