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Nursing home report card · Merkel, TX

Merkel Nursing Center

1704 N. 1st, Merkel, TX 79536

Call this home: (325) 928-5673

View this home on Medicare.gov ↗

Medicare abuse warningInfection-control problems notedExtra oversight status: SFF Candidate

Quick summary

Medicare shows an abuse warning

Medicare’s Care Compare site shows an abuse icon here. That is one of the strongest public warnings CMS publishes — dig into the inspection history and talk with an attorney if a loved one was hurt.

Our summary of public Medicare records. It does not establish that this home harmed a particular resident. About this summary.

How recent is this information?
Medicare file prepared
Aug 1, 2026
Our record last updated
Oct 15, 2026
Last routine health inspection
Dec 4, 2025

These dates mean different things. A new file can include older inspections and staffing figures. Read about the dates.

Medicare ratings

One star is the lowest rating. Five stars is the highest. Ratings are a starting point—read the inspection findings too.

Overall rating
1out of 5

Combines inspection, staffing, and care measures.

Among the lowest Medicare ratings

Health inspections
1out of 5

Based on problems found during health inspections.

Among the lowest Medicare ratings

Nursing staff
3out of 5

Based on staffing levels and related measures.

About average for U.S. nursing homes

Health and care results
1out of 5

Based on reported health and care results.

Among the lowest Medicare ratings

What do the ratings and warnings mean?
Medicare ratings
One star is the lowest rating. Five stars is the highest. These are government ratings, not family reviews.
Inspection problems
Inspectors found that a home did not meet a care or safety rule. The official term is “deficiency.”
Abuse warning
Medicare has flagged the home because of abuse-related inspection findings. Read the findings and dates.
Nursing staff time
Average staff hours for each resident per day. This does not mean each resident gets that much one-to-one care.

Learn about the records and their limits →

At a glance

These numbers come from the records we have. Inspection problems are rules the home did not meet. The dates covered can differ.

Care and safety problems
64

Care, safety, and resident-rights issues on recent inspections

Fire-safety problems
0

Building, alarms, exits, and related safety citations

Reported fines
$318,060

Total fine amounts in the imported penalty records

Medicare file prepared
Aug 1, 2026

Medicare home ID: 676053

Inspection findings to read first

Start with these past findings. We show the most serious first, then the most recent. They do not describe the home’s condition today.

  • Immediate danger to residents · pattern case

    Feb 16, 2026 · Inspection rule 0689

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

  • Immediate danger to residents · pattern case

    Feb 16, 2026 · Inspection rule 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.

  • Immediate danger to residents · pattern case

    Feb 16, 2026 · Inspection rule 0725

    Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Read the inspection history →

Nursing staff time

These are average staff hours for each resident per day. They are not one-to-one bedside care. The file does not give the reporting period for each figure.

Registered nurses (RNs)
0.68hours per resident per day

about 41 minutes per resident per day

All nursing staff
3.35hours per resident per day

about 3 hr 21 min per resident per day

Registered nurse time on weekends
0.67hours per resident per day

about 40 minutes per resident per day

Latest inspection summary

A summary of the most recent routine inspections. You can open the dated findings below.

We do not have a routine inspection summary for this home. Check the dated findings below and the Medicare.gov record.

How this home compares

Compared with state and national averages. The numbers may cover different periods.

  • Overall CMS rating: 1 stars
  • Health inspection rating: 1 stars
  • Staffing rating: 3 stars
  • Registered nurse time per resident: 0.68 hours/day
  • Total nurse time per resident: 3.35 hours/day
See the dates used for these averages

Medicare file dates: this home Aug 1, 2026; Texas averages Unavailable; U.S. averages Oct 1, 2026.

Other concerns in the records

These points may be worth asking about. They do not establish what happened to a particular resident. See our Terms of Use.

  • Medicare shows an abuse warning icon for this home
  • Overall star rating is 2 or lower
  • Health inspection rating is 2 stars or lower
  • Recent citations include infection-control problems
  • Inspectors have listed an unusually high number of problems
  • CMS has fined this home in the recent reporting period

How serious were the problems?

Inspectors rate each problem by how much harm it caused or could cause. We group the CMS letter codes into plain language.

  • Immediate danger to residents5 citations
  • Could have caused harm52 citations
  • Low risk of harm7 citations

Why inspectors showed up

Routine checks happen on a schedule. Complaint visits happen when someone reports a concern.

Complaints
0
Routine
64
Fire safety
0
Other
0

Who owns it

Names CMS lists as owners or managers · reported as For profit - Limited Liability company.

  • We do not have individual owner names for this home.

Inspection history

Open a date to read what inspectors found. The harm labels explain how serious the problem was at the time.

February 16, 20268 findings
  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Immediate danger to residents · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0726 · code K

    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.

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0727 · code F

    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.

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0728 · code F

    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.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0881 · code F

    Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0882 · code F

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

  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Immediate danger to residents · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0600 · code K

    Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Immediate danger to residents · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code K

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

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Immediate danger to residents · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0725 · code K

    Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

December 4, 202513 findings
  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0942 · code E

    Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.

  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0943 · code E

    Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0944 · code E

    Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0945 · code E

    Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0842 · code D

    Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0949 · code E

    Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code D

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0867 · code F

    Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0695 · code E

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

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0849 · code E

    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.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0909 · code E

    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.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0940 · code E

    Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0941 · code E

    Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.

August 22, 20258 findings
  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0610 · code E

    Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

  • Administration problems
    Low risk of harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0844 · code C

    Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Immediate danger to residents · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code K

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

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0801 · code F

    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.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0835 · code F

    Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0838 · code F

    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.

  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0607 · code E

    Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0609 · code E

    Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

December 12, 20241 finding
  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code D

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

October 17, 20246 findings
  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0580 · code E

    Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0656 · code E

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

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0842 · code E

    Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0926 · code E

    Have policies on smoking.

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0655 · code D

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

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0657 · code D

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

July 31, 202419 findings
  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0868 · code F

    Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0550 · code E

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

  • Resident Assessment and Care Planning problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0656 · code E

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

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code E

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  • Administration problems
    Low risk of harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0944 · code B

    Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0689 · code E

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

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0695 · code E

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

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0728 · code E

    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.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0803 · code E

    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.

  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0812 · code E

    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0909 · code E

    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.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0558 · code D

    Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

  • Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0607 · code D

    Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Could have caused harm · isolated case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0686 · code D

    Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Low risk of harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0576 · code C

    Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.

  • Quality of Life and Care problems
    Low risk of harm · widespread case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0680 · code C

    Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Low risk of harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0732 · code B

    Post nurse staffing information every day.

  • Administration problems
    Low risk of harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0941 · code B

    Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.

  • Administration problems
    Low risk of harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0949 · code B

    Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

December 15, 20231 finding
  • Environmental problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0908 · code E

    Keep all essential equipment working safely.

June 8, 20238 findings
  • Nutrition and Dietary problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0812 · code E

    Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

  • Infection Control problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0880 · code E

    Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0558 · code E

    Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

  • Resident Rights problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0567 · code E

    Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0711 · code E

    Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.

  • Nursing and Physician Services problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0727 · code E

    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.

  • Pharmacy Service problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0761 · code E

    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.

  • Administration problems
    Could have caused harm · pattern case
    Inspection type and official rule codes

    Routine health inspection · CMS tag 0868 · code E

    Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

Fines & penalties

These fines appear in Medicare’s records. A listed amount does not tell us whether it has been paid.

  • Fine · Feb 16, 2026$137,108
  • Fine · Aug 22, 2025$180,952

Related topics

Questions about Merkel Nursing Center

What is Merkel Nursing Center's Medicare star rating?
As of August 1, 2026, Merkel Nursing Center in Merkel, Texas has an overall CMS rating of 1 out of 5 stars. Other CMS scores: health inspection 1 of 5, staffing 3 of 5, quality measures 1 of 5. These are CMS ratings based on inspection, staffing, and quality information, not consumer reviews.
Has Merkel Nursing Center been fined?
As of August 1, 2026, the imported penalty records list $318,060 in reported fines for Merkel Nursing Center. The individual penalty dates can differ from the Medicare file date; a listed fine does not establish that it was paid.
Does Merkel Nursing Center have a Medicare abuse warning?
Yes. Medicare Care Compare shows an abuse warning icon for Merkel Nursing Center in Merkel, Texas. CMS uses that icon after citations involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
How does Merkel Nursing Center compare with other nursing homes in Texas?
Its overall CMS rating is 1 out of 5. A rating comparison is withheld because a matching source date or a usable rating is missing. Use the Texas report card and dated inspection history for context; inspection totals alone are not a like-for-like performance comparison.

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