Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
MERRY WOOD LODGE
ELMORE, AL · 124 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey September 1, 2024
CMS Certification Number 015019 · first certified January 1974
Ownership
Operated by GENESIS HEALTHCARE · For profit - Limited Liability company
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within AL
10 citations — more than 53% of the 224 certified nursing homes in AL. Compared within AL rather than nationally because which state a facility is in explains about 30% of the variation in citation counts between facilities, while bed count explains under 1%. State survey agencies differ far more than the buildings do. How this is calculated
The latest survey found 6 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 2. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
Past the typical window (September 2025 to February 2026). Most US facilities have been surveyed by October 2026. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was September 2024. Nursing homes nationally are typically surveyed 12–17 months after the last one (median 14), measured over 19,385 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records. AL has too few recent surveys to measure on its own, so the national interval is used.
A range the record supports, not a prediction of a date. State agencies vary widely — from about 11 months in Pennsylvania to three years in Maryland. How the window is measured
Get an email about MERRY WOOD LODGE
One email when it happens. No account; stop it any time with one click.
Physical environment (health survey)
1 physical-environment citation on the health survey. Cited by the health surveyors under Appendix PP, not the Life Safety Code surveyor: equipment in safe operating condition, the call system, bed rails, pest control, hazards, the environment. Counted separately from the 10 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0689 Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in AL, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the AL figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 10 |
| Median facility in AL | 9 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| December 13, 2018 | 2 |
| March 3, 2020 | 2 |
| September 1, 2024 | 6 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0221 | Provide rooms that can be unlocked from inside without a key. | 1 | 2020-03-03 |
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | 1 | 2024-09-01 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 1 | 2018-12-13 |
| K-0352 | Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems. | 1 | 2024-09-01 |
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | 1 | 2024-09-01 |
| K-0916 | Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel. | 1 | 2024-09-01 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 1 | 2020-03-03 |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | 1 | 2024-09-01 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 7
- Services Deficiencies 1
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 1
- Egress Deficiencies 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 7 |
| Services Deficiencies | 1 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 1 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
September 1, 2024 — 6 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 1, 2024) |
| K-0345 | Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 1, 2024) |
| K-0352 | Properly install and monitor supervisory attachments on automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 1, 2024) |
| K-0361 | Ensure that waiting areas, nurse’s stations, gift shops, and cooking facilities, open to the corridor are properly protected. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 1, 2024) |
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 1, 2024) |
| K-0916 | Have a battery powered remote alarm panel in a location accessible by operating personnel. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 1, 2024) |
March 3, 2020 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0221 | Provide rooms that can be unlocked from inside without a key. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2020) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 27, 2020) |
December 13, 2018 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 17, 2019) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 17, 2019) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.