Merkel Nursing CenterCMS ratings, inspections and fines
- Address
- 1704 N. 1st, Merkel, TX 79536
- CCN
- 676053
- Ownership type
- For-profit, limited liability company
- Certified beds
- 65
- Chain
- None in the CMS record
- Residents per day
- 19
- CMS flags
- Special Focus Facility candidate
- CMS abuse icon
Open the watch listCare Compare record (Medicare.gov)
The watch list stays in this browser. After each CMS update, it shows the values that changed at the homes on the list.
CMS gives Merkel Nursing Center an overall rating of 1 of 5 stars. The last standard survey was on 4 Dec 2025. The latest survey cycle has 29 health citations. The median for nursing homes in Texas is 8. CMS lists 2 fines with a total of $318,060 for this home in its penalties file.
Facilities may see a change in their overall rating for a number of reasons. Since the overall rating is based on three individual domains, a change in any one of the domains can affect the overall rating. Any new data for a nursing home could potentially change a star rating domain.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Five-Star Quality Rating System: Technical Users' Guide, July 2026. CMS processed this record on .
Since the last CMS update
The site has no recorded change for this home. In each CMS update, the site compares the ratings, the penalties and the citations of each home.
Ratings
CMS gives each home 1 to 5 stars for health inspections, for staffing and for quality measures, and one overall rating.
| Rating (1 to 5 stars) | This home | Taylor County median | Texas median | US average (CMS) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating | 1 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Health inspection rating | 1 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.8 |
| Staffing rating | 3 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.9 |
| Quality measure rating | 1 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 3.6 |
A median is the middle value of the homes in the group: 12 homes in the county, 1,177 homes in the state. What the CMS star ratings measure
Citations by survey cycle
CMS keeps the last three cycles, and cycle 1 is the latest. A cycle has one standard survey. Citations from complaint and infection control inspections go into cycles of 12 months.
| Survey cycle | Standard survey | Citations | Texas median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 (latest) | 4 Dec 2025 | 29 | 8 |
| Cycle 2 | 31 Jul 2024 | 26 | 8 |
| Cycle 3 | No date | 9 | 8 |
Health citations
The record of one deficiency in an inspection. One inspection can give many citations.
Scope and severity. A letter from A to L on each citation. Scope is the number of residents that the deficiency affected. Severity is the level of harm.
| Severity | Isolated | Pattern | Widespread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety | J0 | L0 | |
| Actual harm that is not immediate jeopardy | G0 | H0 | I0 |
| No actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm | |||
| No actual harm, potential for minimal harm | A0 |
Survey cycle 1 (latest): 29 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0600 | Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody. | K | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | K | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0725 | Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift. | K | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0726 | 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. | K | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0727 | 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. | F | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0728 | 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. | F | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0881 | Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use. | F | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 16 Feb 2026 | F0882 | Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home. | F | Complaint investigation | 4 Mar 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | D | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0849 | 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. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0867 | Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action. | F | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0909 | 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. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0940 | Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0941 | Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0942 | Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0943 | Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0944 | Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0945 | Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 4 Dec 2025 | F0949 | Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jan 2026 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0607 | Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. | E | Complaint investigation | 17 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0609 | Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities. | E | Complaint investigation | 17 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0610 | Respond appropriately to all alleged violations. | E | Complaint investigation | 17 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | K | Complaint investigation | 1 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0801 | 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. | F | Complaint investigation | 25 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0835 | Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently. | F | Complaint investigation | 15 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0838 | 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. | F | Complaint investigation | 16 Sep 2025 |
| 22 Aug 2025 | F0844 | Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel. | C | Complaint investigation | 18 Sep 2025 |
Survey cycle 2: 26 citations
Standard survey of this cycle: .
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 Dec 2024 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | D | Complaint investigation | 1 Jan 2025 |
| 17 Oct 2024 | F0580 | Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident. | E | Complaint investigation | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 17 Oct 2024 | F0655 | Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted | D | Complaint investigation | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 17 Oct 2024 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | E | Complaint investigation | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 17 Oct 2024 | F0657 | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. | D | Complaint investigation | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 17 Oct 2024 | F0842 | Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. | E | Complaint investigation | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 17 Oct 2024 | F0926 | Have policies on smoking. | E | Complaint investigation | 8 Nov 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0550 | Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights. | E | Complaint investigation | 1 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0558 | Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. | D | Complaint investigation | 1 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0576 | Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods. | C | Complaint investigation | 31 Aug 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0607 | Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft. | D | Complaint investigation | 15 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | E | Complaint investigation | 1 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0680 | Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional. | C | Complaint investigation | 19 Aug 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0686 | Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing. | D | Complaint investigation | 1 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0689 | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. | E | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0695 | Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed. | E | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0728 | 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. | E | Complaint investigation | 15 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0732 | Post nurse staffing information every day. | B | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0803 | 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. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0868 | Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly | F | Complaint investigation | 15 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | E | Complaint investigation | 2 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0909 | 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. | E | Complaint investigation | 20 Aug 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0941 | Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members. | B | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0944 | Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program. | B | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2024 |
| 31 Jul 2024 | F0949 | Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment. | B | Complaint investigation | 5 Sep 2024 |
Survey cycle 3: 9 citations
The CMS provider file has no standard survey date for this cycle.
| Survey date | F-tag | Requirement (CMS text) | Scope and severity | Survey type | Corrected |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 Dec 2023 | F0908 | Keep all essential equipment working safely. | E | Complaint investigation | 20 Dec 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0558 | Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0567 | Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0711 | Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0727 | 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. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0761 | 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. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0812 | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0868 | Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
| 8 Jun 2023 | F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | E | Standard survey | 7 Jul 2023 |
The requirement text is the CMS summary of the F-tag. It is not the report of the surveyor. How to read an inspection report
Penalties
A fine, or a payment denial: a period in which Medicare or Medicaid does not pay for new admissions. The CMS penalties file holds three years.
| Date | Type | Fine | Days without payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Feb 2026 | Fine | $137,108 | |
| 22 Aug 2025 | Fine | $180,952 |
Staffing
Hours per resident per day. The nurse hours for one resident on an average day. CMS calculates the figure from the hours that the home reports for a quarter.
| Staff | This home | Texas median | Texas average (CMS) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All nurse staff | 3.35 | 3.30 | 3.39 |
| Registered nurses (RN) | 0.68 | 0.40 | 0.43 |
| Licensed practical nurses (LPN) | 1.58 | 0.95 | |
| Nurse aides | 1.09 | 2.00 | |
| All nurse staff, weekends | 2.52 | 2.90 | 2.98 |
- Nurse staff turnover in a year
- 71.1%
- Nurse staff turnover, Texas median
- 52.1%
- RN turnover in a year
- No data
- Administrators who left in a year
- 0
Homes report the hours to CMS in the Payroll-Based Journal.
Quality measures
A figure that CMS calculates from the assessments of residents. One example is the percentage of long-stay residents with a fall and a major injury.
| Measure (CMS text) | Residents | This home | Texas median | US median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose need for help with daily activities has increased | Long Stay | 15.3% | 14.9% | 12.6% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a catheter inserted and left in their bladder | Long Stay | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.3% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection | Long Stay | 10.3% | 0.3% | 0.9% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents experiencing one or more falls with major injury | Long Stay | 4.6% | 3.0% | 2.8% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents whose ability to walk independently worsened | Long Stay | 16.3% | 12.4% | 12.5% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents with pressure ulcers | Long Stay | 14.8% | 3.4% | 4.2% |
| Percentage of long-stay residents who received an antipsychotic medication | Long Stay | 17.8% | 8.3% | 13.4% |
For each measure in this table, CMS gives more points in the quality measure rating for a lower percentage. The site calculates the medians from the CMS file. What the CMS star ratings measure
Ownership
An organisation in the CMS ownership file. CMS records its role, for example an ownership interest, operational or managerial control, or a mortgage interest.
- Ownership type
- For-profit, limited liability company
- Legal business name
- Emi Healthcare LLC
| Organisation | Role in the CMS record | Interest | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stroh Properties LP | Adp of the snf | 1 Jan 2022 |
The site shows organisations only. It does not show the names of persons.
Other homes in Taylor County
| Nursing home | City | Overall rating | Citations, latest cycle | Fines | Last standard survey | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Willowcreek Rehab and Nursing | Abilene | 2 of 5 | 7 | $23,794 | 6 May 2026 | |
| Wisteria Place | Abilene | 3 of 5 | 9 | $14,069 | 30 Jul 2025 | |
| Mesa Springs Healthcare Center | Abilene | 2 of 5 | 10 | $8,190 | 19 Mar 2026 | |
| Northern Oaks Living & Rehabilitation Center | Abilene | 3 of 5 | 10 | $0 | 22 Jan 2026 | |
| Avir at Coronado | Abilene | 2 of 5 | 13 | $184,619 | 24 Apr 2026 | |
| Hendrick Skilled Nursing Facility | Abilene | 5 of 5 | 1 | $0 | 5 Dec 2025 | |
| Wesley Court Health Center | Abilene | 5 of 5 | 5 | $0 | 9 Jul 2025 | |
| Windcrest Health & Rehabilitation | Abilene | 3 of 5 | 7 | $26,364 | 14 May 2026 | |
| The Oaks at Radford Hills Healthcare Center | Abilene | 2 of 5 | 8 | $163,651 | 19 Mar 2026 | |
| Brightpointe at Lytle Lake | Abilene | 1 of 5 | 7 | $23,733 | 9 Apr 2026 | |
| Silver Spring | Abilene | 1 of 5 | 2 | $0 | 30 Jan 2026 |
Official channels
- Care Compare record of this nursing homeMedicare.gov. The official CMS record of this home.
- Texas Health and Human Services: complaint and incident intakeThe complaint page of the State Survey Agency for Texas, from the CMS list of agencies.
- Contact information for State Survey AgenciesCMS. The web address and the telephone number of the State Survey Agency of each state. These agencies investigate complaints about nursing homes.
- Filing a complaintMedicare.gov. The page names the State Survey Agency as the place for a complaint about nursing home care or facility conditions.
- Eldercare LocatorAdministration for Community Living. A public service that connects older adults and their families to local services. Telephone: 1-800-677-1116.
Cite this page
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Care Compare. Record of Merkel Nursing Center (CCN 676053). Data processed 1 Aug 2026. Elder Care Record, https://eldercarerecord.com/facility/merkel-nursing-center-merkel-tx-676053/
Provenance
- Licence
- US government work, public domain
- CMS processed the data on
A program makes this page from the CMS files, and the same files always give the same text. How the site makes the figures. Report an error.
Questions
- When was Merkel Nursing Center last inspected?
- The latest inspection with a citation in the CMS record was on 16 Feb 2026. It was a complaint investigation. It gave 8 citations. The standard survey before the last one was on 31 Jul 2024.
- Who operates Merkel Nursing Center?
- The CMS record gives the ownership type as for-profit, limited liability company. CMS lists no chain for the home. The CMS ownership file names no organisation for operational or managerial control. This site does not show the names of persons.
- What does the Special Focus status mean for Merkel Nursing Center?
- CMS lists the home as a Special Focus Facility candidate. The state selects its next Special Focus Facility from the candidates. CMS lists 6 homes in Texas as Special Focus Facilities and 30 as candidates.
- Where does the data on this page come from?
- The data comes from the CMS Care Compare files for nursing homes. CMS processed the files on 1 Aug 2026. The Care Compare record on Medicare.gov is the official record of the home.