Shelby County, Alabama · Nursing home
The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek
3 of 5 overall from CMS
850 9th Street, Northwest, Alabaster, AL 35007
At a glance
- Overall rating 3 of 5 Same as the state average of 3.0
- Nurse time per resident, per day 3.53 hours Below the state average of 3.88
- Nursing staff who left in a year 44.6% Below the state average of 46.9%
- Health citations, last 3 inspection cycles 13 2 at the harm level or above
- Fines in 3 years $16,801 2 fines
- Certified beds in use 93.4% of 198 beds, on an average day
Arrows only show whether a figure is above or below the state average. They are not a judgment of the home.
The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek is a 198-bed nursing home in Alabaster, Alabama (Shelby County). CMS rates it 3 of 5 stars overall as of Sep 2026. It reports 3.53 nurse staffing hours per resident per day, below the Alabama average of 3.88. CMS lists 2 fines totaling $16,801 in the past three years.
- Certified beds
- 198
- Residents per day (average)
- 185.0
- Certified since
- 1976 (50 yrs)
For profit - Limited Liability company Participates in Medicare and Medicaid
Bed use is this site's calculation: average residents per day divided by certified beds. It is an average, so it does not show today's openings.
Terms used on this page
- CMS
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the federal agency that publishes the ratings, staffing figures, inspection results and penalties shown here.
- Certified beds
- The number of federally certified beds CMS lists for the home.
- Deficiency or citation
- A federal requirement that inspectors found the home did not meet. Each one gets a letter from A to L for how serious it was and how many residents were affected. What the letters mean
- Actual harm
- Letters G, H and I: actual harm to a resident that is not immediate jeopardy.
- Immediate jeopardy
- Letters J, K and L: the problem caused, or was likely to cause, serious injury, harm, impairment or death to a resident.
- Inspection cycle
- A standard inspection plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to it. This page shows the three most recent cycles.
- Special Focus Facility (SFF)
- A home CMS has placed under closer oversight because of its inspection record. More about the program
Questions to ask The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek
Chosen from this home's public data.
- CMS lists 2 fines totaling $16,801 in the past three years. What changed after the most recent one?Penalties in CMS data
- Registered nurse time is 0.27 hours per resident per day; the Alabama average is 0.65. Is an RN on site overnight?RN staffing in CMS data
- What is the daily private-pay rate, and are Medicaid beds available now?CMS does not publish prices
More in what to ask on a nursing home tour.
CMS star ratings
- Overall 3 of 5 Alabama average 3.0
- Health inspections 3 of 5 Alabama average 2.8
- Staffing 2 of 5 Alabama average 3.6
- Quality measures 3 of 5 Alabama average 3.2
The vertical line marks the Alabama average. Ratings run from 1 to 5. How to read CMS star ratings
Nurse staffing
Hours of care per resident per day, as the home reported to CMS.
What these roles do
Nurse aides give most hands-on daily care, such as help with bathing, dressing and meals. Licensed practical nurses give medications and routine nursing care. Registered nurses assess residents and direct their care.
- All nursing staff 3.53 h Alabama average 3.88
- Nurse aides 2.25 h Alabama average 2.44
- Licensed practical nurses 1.01 h Alabama average 0.79
- Registered nurses 0.27 h Alabama average 0.65
- All staff, weekends 3.25 h Alabama average 3.26
How much nurse staffing is enough? All bars share one scale, 0 to 6 hours. The vertical line marks the Alabama average; the national average for all nursing staff is 3.86 hours.
- Nursing staff turnover44.6%
- Alabama average46.9%
- Registered nurse turnover66.7%
- Alabama average39.5%
Quality measures
CMS calculates these from residents' assessments and Medicare claims. They are shown as published, next to the Alabama and national averages. marks the measures CMS uses in its quality star rating; for those, the rating gives more points for a lower rate.
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | 7.2% | 12.0% | 13.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who lose too much weight | 5.2% | 5.4% | 5.2% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | 0.5% | 1.0% | 0.8% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | 0.9% | 2.4% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who have depressive symptoms | 3.0% | 1.4% | 12.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who were physically restrained | 0.0% | 0.6% | 0.1% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | 4.5% | 3.3% | 3.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 95.8% | 92.2% | 93.6% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | 9.9% | 12.1% | 14.1% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antianxiety or hypnotic medication | 29.4% | 24.5% | 19.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 100.0% | 94.8% | 95.5% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | 7.8% | 5.4% | 4.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with new or worsened bowel or bladder incontinence | 19.3% | 12.8% | 19.0% |
| ★ Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | 16.7% | 21.2% | 15.4% |
| ★ Number of hospitalizations per 1000 long-stay resident days | 1.74 | 1.96 | 1.90 |
| ★ Number of outpatient emergency department visits per 1000 long-stay resident days | 0.34 | 1.70 | 1.78 |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This home | Alabama | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of short-stay residents assessed and appropriately given the pneumococcal vaccine | 78.5% | 85.3% | 82.0% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who newly received an antipsychotic medication | 3.2% | 2.0% | 1.6% |
| Percentage of short-stay residents who were assessed and appropriately given the seasonal influenza vaccine | 86.4% | 80.3% | 79.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who were rehospitalized after a nursing home admission | 34.2% | 24.8% | 23.8% |
| ★ Percentage of short-stay residents who had an outpatient emergency department visit | 6.7% | 11.3% | 12.0% |
Measure periods: April 2025 to March 2026 for most measures; July 2024 to June 2025 for the flu vaccine measures; January to December 2025 for the hospital and emergency department measures, which CMS risk-adjusts. See the measures on Medicare.gov
Inspection history
Inspectors cited 13 health deficiencies in the three most recent inspection cycles. Of these, 2 involved actual harm; the rest were graded as no actual harm. 9 were cited in connection with a complaint investigation. The most recent citation at the harm level or above was on May 3, 2024: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
| Standard inspection | Health | Fire safety |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 25, 2024 | 3 | 4 |
| Oct 14, 2022 | 5 | 5 |
| Apr 7, 2022 | 5 | 0 |
Alabama homes averaged 4.0 health deficiencies in the latest cycle; the national average is 9.2. Each cycle's health count covers the standard inspection on that date plus the complaint and infection-control citations CMS assigns to that cycle.
Health citations, three most recent inspection cycles (13)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Past Non-Compliance (May 25, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Oct 18, 2024)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 30, 2024)
-
GActual harm, isolated
Protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident's belongings or money.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Aug 30, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Honor the resident's right to share a room with spouse or roommate of choice and receive written notice before a change is made.
Complaint investigation · Resident Rights · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 15, 2024)
Show 8 more
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 15, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Complaint investigation · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 22, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Complaint investigation · Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 22, 2024)
-
CPotential for minimal harm, widespread
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Complaint investigation · Nursing and Physician Services · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Feb 22, 2024)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
Quality of Life and Care · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 18, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 18, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
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.
Pharmacy Service · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Nov 18, 2022)
-
DPotential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2022)
What severity letters A to L mean
Each sentence above is the requirement that was not met, in CMS's wording. For the inspection results as Medicare publishes them, open this home's page on Medicare.gov and look under "Health inspections".
Penalties, past three years
| Date | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| May 3, 2024 | Fine | $8,400 |
| May 3, 2024 | Fine | $8,401 |
| May 3, 2024 | Payment Denial | 90 days |
Alabama homes averaged 0.3 fines and $12,315 in fine amounts; the national averages are 0.9 and $30,972.
Cost
Not in the public data. CMS does not publish what a nursing home charges.
Ask the home for its daily private-pay rate and whether a bed is open for your coverage. See what Medicare covers and how Medicaid pays for a nursing home.
Compared within Alabama
- Size15 of 224 by certified beds
- Alabama average residents per day98.1
- ChainNone listed
- Resident or family councilResident
- Homes in Shelby County3
Common questions
What is the CMS star rating for The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek?
The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek has an overall rating of 3 of 5 stars from CMS as of Sep 2026. Its health inspection rating is 3, staffing is 2 and quality measures is 3.
How many beds does The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek have?
The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek has 198 certified beds. It averages 185.0 residents per day, about 93.4% of its certified beds.
How much nursing care do residents get at The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek?
The home reports 3.53 hours of nurse staffing per resident per day, including 0.27 hours from registered nurses. The Alabama average is 3.88 hours and 0.65 hours from registered nurses.
Has The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek been fined?
Yes. CMS lists 2 fines totaling $16,801 in the past three years. It also lists 1 payment denial.
Does The Healthcare Center at Buck Creek accept Medicare or Medicaid?
CMS lists its participation as "Medicare and Medicaid". Ask the home whether a bed is open for your coverage.
Guides for families looking at this home
- Understanding the recordWhat to ask on a nursing home tourQuestions that turn a home's public record into a useful conversation when you tour, plus what to look for yourself.
- Understanding the recordInspection severity letters A to LHow inspectors grade each deficiency by harm and by how many residents were affected.
- Understanding the recordHow to read CMS star ratingsWhat the overall, health inspection, staffing and quality measure ratings cover, and what they leave out.
Nearest nursing homes
- 3 of 5 Shelby Ridge Nursing Home 131beds 96.8%in use 4.82nurse hours a day
- 2 of 5 Galleria Woods Skilled Nursing Facility 30beds 87.3%in use 4.36nurse hours a day
- 3 of 5 Diversicare of Riverchase 132beds 91.8%in use 3.05nurse hours a day
Sorted by straight-line distance. This is not a ranking or a recommendation. Compare all homes in Shelby County
Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog, nursing home datasets processed Sep 1, 2026. CMS Certification Number 015144. See this home's official record on Medicare.gov
See something shown incorrectly? Tell us. This site shows each record as CMS publishes it and cannot change the underlying record.