Merkel Nursing Center, Merkel, Texas
- 64
- Citations from health inspectionsTexas average: 28 a home
- 5
- Residents harmed or put in dangerTexas average: 2.3 a home
- $318,060
- Fines from the federal governmentTexas average: $44,141 a home
- 1 out of 5
- Overall rating in starsTexas average: 2.7
The figures come from Medicare Care Compare files released October 8, 2026 by CMS, the federal Medicare agency. The citations span each home's three most recent inspection cycles plus their complaint visits, going back to March 2017 at the earliest; the fines span about three years, beginning September 2023. Browse the CMS files
Eight inspection visits produced 64 citations. Residents were in immediate danger in five findings. Federal fines came to $318,060 (two fines).
A candidate for Special Focus. For its list of nursing homes with past poor inspection results, CMS has named this home a candidate.
The CMS abuse icon is shown for this home. Care Compare adds it after a citation for abuse or neglect. Either a resident was harmed recently, or harm could have resulted over two inspections in a row.
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Call 1-833-892-8135Calls go to a law firm that advertises on Nursing Home Violations.Quick Look at the Record
- The home's overall star rating
- 1 out of 5
- Rating for health inspections
- 1 out of 5
- Rating for staffing
- 3 out of 5
- Rating for quality of care
- 1 out of 5
- Nurse time for each resident
- 3.35 hours each dayThe Texas average is 3.39 hours
- Time from registered nurses
- 0.68 hours each dayThe Texas average is 0.43 hours
- Nursing staff who left during one year
- 71.1%against the Texas average of 55.3%
- Beds that are certified
- 65
- Ownership
- Limited Liability company (for profit)
- Chain
- This home is not part of a chain
- Street address
- 1704 N. 1st, Merkel, Texas 79536
- County
- Taylor
Each inspection's citations
Every citation marks a federal rule inspectors found broken, along with its seriousness and the number of residents affected.
Eight citations dated Feb. 16, 2026
- F882 Qualified Infection Prevention Leader: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F881 Antibiotic Use Monitoring Program: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F728 Trained and Competent Nurse Aides: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F727 Required Registered Nurse and Nursing Director: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F726 Nurses and Aides Have Needed Skills: immediate danger to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F725 Enough Nursing Staff: immediate danger to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F689 Accident Hazards and Supervision: immediate danger to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F600 Freedom From Abuse and Neglect: immediate danger to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
13 citations dated Dec. 4, 2025
- F949 Behavioral Health Training for Staff: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F945 Infection Control Training for Staff: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F944 Staff Training on Quality Improvement Program: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F943 Staff Training on Abuse, Neglect, and Dementia: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F942 Staff Training on Resident Rights: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F941 Communication Training for Direct Care Staff: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F940 Effective Staff Training Program: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F909 Regular Safety Checks of Beds and Rails: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F880 Infection Prevention and Control: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents.
- F867 Ongoing Quality Review Group and Correction Plans: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread.
- F849 Arrange Hospice Care When Needed: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F842 Medical Records and Privacy: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents.
- F695 Breathing and Oxygen Care: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
Eight citations dated Aug. 22, 2025
- F844 Disclose Ownership and Leadership Changes: minimal risk to residents, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F838 Facility Wide Assessment of Needed Resources: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F835 Run the Facility Effectively: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F801 Qualified Kitchen and Dietitian Staff: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F689 Accident Hazards and Supervision: immediate danger to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F610 Investigating Abuse Allegations: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F609 Reporting Suspected Abuse: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F607 Policies to Prevent Abuse, Neglect, and Theft: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
One citation dated Dec. 12, 2024
- F880 Infection Prevention and Control: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents, found on a complaint visit.
Six citations dated Oct. 17, 2024
- F926 Smoking Policies: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F842 Medical Records and Privacy: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F657 Updating the Care Plan on Time: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F656 A Complete Care Plan: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F655 Baseline Care Plan at Admission: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F580 Telling the Family About a Change: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
19 citations dated July 31, 2024
- F949 Behavioral Health Training for Staff: minimal risk to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F944 Staff Training on Quality Improvement Program: minimal risk to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F941 Communication Training for Direct Care Staff: minimal risk to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F909 Regular Safety Checks of Beds and Rails: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F880 Infection Prevention and Control: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F868 Quality Group Membership and Quarterly Meetings: risk of harm, no one found hurt, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F812 Food Storage and Kitchen Safety: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F803 Menus That Meet Nutrition Needs: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F732 Post Daily Nurse Staffing Information: minimal risk to residents, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F728 Trained and Competent Nurse Aides: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F695 Breathing and Oxygen Care: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F689 Accident Hazards and Supervision: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F686 Pressure Ulcer (Bedsore) Care: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F680 Qualified Activities Director: minimal risk to residents, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F656 A Complete Care Plan: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F607 Policies to Prevent Abuse, Neglect, and Theft: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F576 Private Access to Communication Methods: minimal risk to residents, widespread, found on a complaint visit.
- F558 Meeting Residents' Needs and Preferences: risk of harm, no one found hurt, one or a few residents, found on a complaint visit.
- F550 Dignity and Resident Rights: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
One citation dated Dec. 15, 2023
- F908 Keep Essential Equipment Working Safely: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents, found on a complaint visit.
Eight citations dated June 8, 2023
- F880 Infection Prevention and Control: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F868 Quality Group Membership and Quarterly Meetings: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F812 Food Storage and Kitchen Safety: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F761 Labeling and Locking Up Medicines: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F727 Required Registered Nurse and Nursing Director: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F711 Doctor Reviews Care and Writes Notes Each Visit: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F567 Right to Manage Own Finances: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
- F558 Meeting Residents' Needs and Preferences: risk of harm, no one found hurt, a pattern, several residents.
Payment Denials and Fines
| Date | Penalty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Feb. 16, 2026 | Fine | $137,108 |
| Aug. 22, 2025 | Fine | $180,952 |
Ownership and Management of the Home
One person with an ownership stake is also listed by CMS.
The CMS Care Compare files, updated every month, provide provider information, health deficiencies, penalties, and ownership. The CMS certification number is 676053. Other homes in Texas.