The nursing home failed to protect residents from abuse and neglect by others. Cited February 2026 — limited pattern, immediate jeopardy to residents.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 600 — 42 CFR §483.12 — S/S: K
Nursing home report
Merkel Nursing Center
Merkel, TX · Medicare-certified · 65 beds
Needs attention
Special Focus candidateAbuse citationFor-profit
Data as of July 1, 2026
1 of 5 overall
Merkel Nursing Center in Merkel, TX has a 1-star overall rating, with 1-star health inspection and quality measures ratings and a 3-star staffing rating. It is flagged as a special focus facility / SFF candidate, has $391,887 in fines in the last 24 months, and reported nurse staffing of 3.35 hours per resident per day versus the 4.1 benchmark.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
3.349 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: February 16, 2026Penalties, last 24 months: $391,887special focus facility
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 3.349.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 0.68
- Licensed practical nurses
- 1.58
- Nurse aides
- 1.09
- Weekend nursing
- 2.52
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 71%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
—19%—
Residents with a fall causing major injury
6.9%4%Improving
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
13.7%3.9%Improving
Residents with a urinary tract infection
7.1%8%Worsening
Residents who lost too much weight
8.7%0%Improving
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
8.3%5%Improving
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
—16.3%—
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
29.2%5%Improving
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%0%No change
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
9.4%13.2%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
3.6%14.3%Worsening
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—100%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
100%96%Worsening
Short-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
—90.9%—
What the inspectors found
The nursing home failed to keep the area free of hazards and provide enough supervision to prevent accidents. Cited February 2026 — limited pattern, immediate jeopardy to residents.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 689 — 42 CFR §483.25(d) — S/S: K
The home failed to provide enough nursing staff each day and ensure a licensed nurse was in charge on every shift. Cited February 2026 — limited pattern, immediate jeopardy to residents.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 725 — 42 CFR §483.35 — S/S: K
The home failed to ensure nurses and nurse aides had the needed skills to care for each resident and support their well-being. Cited February 2026 — limited pattern, immediate jeopardy to residents.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 726 — 42 CFR §483.35 — S/S: K
The home failed to have a registered nurse on duty enough hours each day and to keep a registered nurse as the full-time director of nursing. Cited February 2026 — widespread issue, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 727 — 42 CFR §483.35 — S/S: F
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $210,935 was recorded.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 8 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 13 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $180,952 was recorded.
- PENALTY
A federal fine of $178,172 was recorded.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 8 health deficiencies.
See what inspectors found
Penalties & enforcement
On record with Medicare: 2 fines · $391,887 in total fines.
- $210,935
Federal fine
Feb 16, 2026
- $180,952
Federal fine
Aug 22, 2025
Operator & ownership
Recent ownership change · Jan 1, 2022
Now operated by Emi Healthcare LLC, previously Distinguished Health Care INC..
- Ownership
- For profit - Limited Liability company
- Occupancy
- 18.7 residents on an average day (29% of 65 beds)
- Medicare history
- Certified for 21 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.