Terrell Healthcare: No Qualified Infection Control - TX
Terrell Healthcare Center failed to designate a certified infection preventionist despite federal requirements, according to an April inspection. The facility's assistant director of nursing handled infection control duties without proper certification, while the only certified staff member no longer performed those responsibilities.
"I was in charge of infection control but did not have the certificate to be the infection control preventionist," the assistant director of nursing told inspectors on April 3. She said she was working toward certification but had not completed the required training.
The confusion extended throughout the facility's leadership. The MDS nurse possessed infection preventionist certification but told inspectors at 11:33 AM that she "no longer oversees anything with infection control." Meanwhile, the director of nursing confirmed the assistant director was handling infection tracking and trending without proper credentials.
"The ADON was not certified but she should have been certified as an infection preventionist," the director of nursing acknowledged during her 4:26 PM interview. She admitted the failure "placed a risk for something to be missed as far infection control."
The administrator knew about the certification gap. During his interview at 4:53 PM, he confirmed the assistant director "should have had her certification completed to be the infection preventionist." He said the failure created risk that infection control protocols might not be followed correctly.
The assistant director of nursing was hired on February 1, meaning the facility operated without a qualified infection preventionist for at least two months before the inspection.
Federal regulations require nursing homes to designate infection preventionists with primary professional training in nursing, medical technology, microbiology, epidemiology, or related fields. The designated person must be qualified by education, training, experience or certification and complete specialized infection prevention training.
The facility's own policy, reviewed March 3, stated that "the infection prevention and control program is coordinated and overseen by an infection prevention specialist." The policy referenced federal requirements that mandate proper qualifications for infection preventionists.
Inspectors found the facility had a certified infection preventionist on staff but was not using her expertise. The MDS nurse confirmed her certification during interviews but said she no longer handled infection control responsibilities. Instead, those duties fell to the uncertified assistant director of nursing.
The leadership acknowledged the risks this created. Without proper certification, the person overseeing infection control might miss critical protocols or fail to properly track and trend infections throughout the facility. In a nursing home environment where residents live in close quarters and often have compromised immune systems, infection control lapses can have serious consequences.
The facility's infection prevention program requires coordination and oversight by someone with specialized training. This training covers proper isolation procedures, personal protective equipment use, outbreak investigation, and surveillance methods that protect vulnerable residents from preventable infections.
The director of nursing's admission that "something could be missed" highlighted the real-world impact of the certification gap. Infection control in nursing homes involves daily decisions about isolating residents with communicable diseases, implementing proper cleaning protocols, and monitoring staff for symptoms that could spread to residents.
The administrator's acknowledgment that protocols might not be followed correctly underscored how the certification requirement exists to protect residents. Infection preventionists receive specialized training in evidence-based practices that reduce transmission risks and prevent outbreaks.
The facility had the expertise available but chose not to use it. The MDS nurse with proper certification was available but no longer performed infection control duties. Meanwhile, the assistant director of nursing handled these critical responsibilities without completing required training.
The inspection revealed a facility operating with good intentions but inadequate qualifications in a critical safety area. The assistant director was working toward certification, but residents needed protection while she completed her training. The facility had a certified professional available but assigned infection control duties elsewhere.
Federal inspectors classified the violation as having potential for minimal harm but affecting many residents. In a nursing home setting, infection control failures can quickly escalate from minimal to serious harm if outbreaks occur among vulnerable populations.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Terrell Healthcare Center from 2026-04-03 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 15, 2026 · Our methodology
Terrell Healthcare Center in Terrell, TX was cited for violations during a health inspection on April 3, 2026.
Terrell Healthcare Center failed to designate a certified infection preventionist despite federal requirements, according to an April inspection.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened at Terrell Healthcare Center?
- Terrell Healthcare Center failed to designate a certified infection preventionist despite federal requirements, according to an April inspection.
- How serious are these violations?
- Violation severity varies from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the inspection report for specific deficiency codes and scope. All violations must be corrected within required timeframes and are subject to follow-up verification inspections.
- What should families do?
- Families should: (1) Ask facility administration about specific corrective actions taken, (2) Request to see the follow-up inspection report verifying corrections, (3) Check if this represents a pattern by reviewing prior inspection reports, (4) Compare this facility's ratings with other nursing homes in Terrell, TX, (5) Report any new concerns directly to state authorities.
- Where can I see the full inspection report?
- The complete inspection report is available on Medicare.gov's Care Compare website (www.medicare.gov/care-compare). You can also request a copy directly from Terrell Healthcare Center or from the state Department of Health. The report includes specific deficiency codes, facility responses, and correction timelines. This facility's federal provider number is 675879.
- Has this facility had violations before?
- To check Terrell Healthcare Center's history, visit Medicare.gov's Care Compare and review their inspection history, quality ratings, and staffing levels. Look for patterns of repeated violations, especially in critical areas like abuse prevention, medication management, infection control, and resident safety.