Merkel Nursing Center
Merkel Nursing Center is a 1-star rated nursing home in Merkel, TX with 65 beds. CMS sub-ratings: health inspections 1/5, staffing 2/5, quality measures 1/5.
The facility has 48 health violations on record. Federal fines total $40,408 across 8 enforcement actions. Most recent inspection: July 31, 2024.
This facility has abuse citations on its federal record.
Designated as a CMS Special Focus Facility — indicating a pattern of serious quality issues under heightened federal oversight.
Staff turnover rate: 66.0% — significantly above the national average.
Data synthesized from CMS.gov and Texas public inspection records. Reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NR-EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Inspection History Overview
Data current as of May 6, 2026 · Source: CMS Provider Data
Detailed Inspection Reports
Notice: These are official CMS inspection narratives containing detailed regulatory findings. This information is not available in searchable format anywhere else online.
Fines and Penalties by Year
2022 2 penalties totaling $31,564
Fine
Fine
2021 3 penalties totaling $5,896
Fine
Fine
Fine
2020 3 penalties totaling $2,948
Fine
Fine
Fine
Health Violations by Year
2024 19 violations
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Ensure that nurse aides who have worked more than 4 months, are trained and competent; and nurse aides who have worked less than 4 months are enrolled in appropriate training.
Post nurse staffing information every day.
Ensure menus must meet the nutritional needs of residents, be prepared in advance, be followed, be updated, be reviewed by dietician, and meet the needs of the resident.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Regularly inspect all bed frames, mattresses, and bed rails (if any) for safety; and all bed rails and mattresses must attach safely to the bed frame.
Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.
Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.
Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.
2023 9 violations
Keep all essential equipment working safely.
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.
Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
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.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
2022 4 violations
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Provide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.
2020 3 violations
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
2019 5 violations
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Provide sufficient support personnel to safely and effectively carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
2018 5 violations
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Post nurse staffing information every day.
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.
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
2017 3 violations
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment by a qualified health professional.
Keep the rate of medication errors (wrong drug, wrong dose, wrong time) to less than 5%.
At least once a month, have a licensed pharmacist review each resident's medication(s) and report any irregularities to the attending doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions About Merkel Nursing Center
- What violations has Merkel Nursing Center received?
- Merkel Nursing Center has 48 health and safety violation(s) documented by CMS inspections. All violation data comes from official Medicare inspection reports and is updated regularly from government sources.
- What is the quality rating of Merkel Nursing Center?
- Merkel Nursing Center has a 1-star rating out of 5 from CMS. This rating indicates the facility may have quality concerns that should be investigated further. The rating is based on health inspections, staffing levels, and quality measures.
- When was Merkel Nursing Center last inspected?
- Inspection reports are documented by state survey agencies and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Reports typically lag 2-3 months behind the actual inspection date. Visit the facility's full profile page for detailed violation information and inspection history.
- Is Merkel Nursing Center safe?
- Safety at Merkel Nursing Center should be evaluated based on multiple factors: the facility's CMS rating, recent violation history, and personal visits. We recommend reviewing the complete inspection history, speaking with current residents and families, consulting healthcare professionals, and visiting in person before making placement decisions.
- How do I contact Merkel Nursing Center?
- Phone: (325) 928-5673. Address: 1704 N 1st, Merkel, TX. For visiting hours and admission information, call the facility directly.
- What services does Merkel Nursing Center offer?
- Merkel Nursing Center is a skilled nursing facility with 65 beds. The facility accepts Medicare and Medicaid. For specific services like rehabilitation, memory care, or short-term recovery, contact the facility directly.
- What are better facilities near Merkel, TX?
- Compare Merkel Nursing Center with other nursing homes in Merkel, TX on our facilities page. Filter by star rating, bed count, and recent inspection results to find the best match for your needs.
Editorial Standards & Data Oversight
Data Source: This report is based on official public inspection records from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Provider Data Catalog.
Editorial Process: Content generated using AI to synthesize complex regulatory data, then reviewed and verified for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional Review: All content undergoes standards and compliance oversight by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., Nationally Registered EMT & BU-trained Paralegal, using professional regulatory data auditing protocols.
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