Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Merkel Nursing Center
Merkel, TX · 65 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey December 4, 2025
CMS Certification Number 676053 · first certified June 2005
Ownership
Independently operated (no chain recorded by CMS) · For profit - Limited Liability company
- Ownership changed January 1, 2022 (change of ownership)from DISTINGUISHED HEALTH CARE INC.
Position within TX
9 citations — more than 59% of the 1,177 certified nursing homes in TX. Compared within TX 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 5 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?
The window opens January 2027 — about 3 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was December 2025. Facilities in TX are typically surveyed 13–14 months after the last one (median 14), measured over 1,905 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records.
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
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1 inspection-and-testing tag has been cited here at more than one survey. Nationally, that pattern is common: about three quarters of cited facilities have at least one repeated tag, and half of the facilities ever cited for sprinkler inspection and testing are cited for it again. A repeat is usually a recordkeeping gap rather than a new hazard.
Emergency preparedness
1 of the 9 citations on file is Emergency Preparedness E-tags. E-tags are cited under 42 CFR §483.73 and concern the emergency plan, training, drills, communications and supplies. Nationally about half of certified facilities have at least one. The Emergency Preparedness Index
Physical environment (health survey)
11 physical-environment citations 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 9 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.
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0909 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.
- F-0926 Have policies on smoking.
- F-0908 Keep all essential equipment working safely.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in TX, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the TX figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 9 |
| Median facility in TX | 7 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| June 8, 2023 | 1 |
| July 31, 2024 | 3 |
| December 4, 2025 | 5 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | 3 | 2025-12-04 |
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | 1 | 2025-12-04 |
| 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 | 2025-12-04 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 1 | 2024-07-31 |
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | 1 | 2024-07-31 |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | 1 | 2025-12-04 |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | 1 | 2025-12-04 |
What the citations cover
- Services Deficiencies 4
- Smoke Deficiencies 2
- Egress Deficiencies 1
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 1
- Other 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Services Deficiencies | 4 |
| Smoke Deficiencies | 2 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 1 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
December 4, 2025 — 5 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0211 | Keep aisles, corridors, and exits free of obstruction in case of emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 31, 2026) |
| 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 (January 31, 2026) |
| K-0511 | Have properly installed electrical wiring and gas equipment. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 31, 2026) |
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 12, 2026) |
| K-0923 | Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 31, 2026) |
July 31, 2024 — 3 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 30, 2024) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 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) |
June 8, 2023 — 1 citation
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0521 | Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 9, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.