NursingHomeGrade

Merkel Nursing Center

1704 N 1ST, Merkel, TX 79536

Operator

STROH PROPERTIES · 2 facilities

Provider number (CCN)
676053
Certification
Medicare and Medicaid
Ownership
For profit - Limited Liability company
Certified beds
65
Phone
(325) 928-5673
CMS data as of
July 1, 2026
F

What the records show

CMS rates Merkel Nursing Center 1 out of 5 stars overall, with 1 of 5 for health inspections, 3 of 5 for staffing, 1 of 5 for quality measures. Federal inspectors cited 64 health deficiencies across the last three survey cycles, most recently surveyed in 2025, 5 at actual-harm level or higher. CMS enforcement records list 2 fines totalling $391,887.

Facility Assessment Inspectors recorded 5 citations at the actual-harm level or worse in the last three survey cycles. This facility is operated by STROH PROPERTIES, which scores 38 points below the national average.

Reviews, Ratings and Official Records

This page reviews Merkel Nursing Center using federal government records — CMS star ratings, health-inspection findings, staffing data and enforcement actions. NursingHomeGrade does not collect, host or publish resident or family testimonials, and no star rating below is a consumer review score.

At or above the 2024 benchmark — review inspection history before visiting.

Ratings and Grade Breakdown

RN Staffing
Registered nurse time each resident receives daily. 2024 federal benchmark: 0.55 hrs. Repealed February 2026.
 0.68 — At or above the repealed 0.55 hr benchmark

The 0.55 hour RN standard was repealed effective February 2, 2026 and is not currently enforced. We still grade against it. Why
Health Deficiencies (last 3 survey cycles)
Violations found during federal inspections, with how many remain open and how many involved actual harm.
Total 64
Outstanding 0
Actual harm or worse (G–L) 5
CMS Ratings
Federal five-star ratings published by CMS. These are regulatory ratings, not consumer review scores.
Overall: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Health inspection: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Quality: ★☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Staffing: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
NursingHomeGrade Score
 11/100

Loaded into NursingHomeGrade on August 7, 2026. This is the load date, not the date CMS published the underlying survey data — see release dates.

CMS scores each facility from one to five stars — one is in the bottom fifth of facilities in its state on health inspections, five is in the top tenth. Our own A–F grade is a separate 0–100 score built from staffing hours, inspection citations, and the severity and correction status of those citations, weighted as described in our grading methodology.

Staffing Compared With State and National Levels

This facility0.68 hrs
TX median0.38 hrs
National average0.69 hrs

Total nursing staff turnover: 71.1%

Staffing figures are the values CMS published in its file processed July 1, 2026, drawn from payroll-based journal reporting.

Inspection Records Covered

Source records: CMS Care Compare profile for provider 676053 ↗ · the federal files we load and when.

Inspection Deficiencies

Health inspections identify violations of federal standards. Severity ranges from no actual harm (A–F) to immediate jeopardy (J–L).

5 immediate jeopardy issues found among 64 total deficiencies. 64 corrected.

Most recent inspection (December 4, 2025)

F Potential harm — widespread F0867 Status: Corrected

Set up an ongoing quality assessment and assurance group to review quality deficiencies and develop corrective plans of action.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0849 Status: Corrected

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.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0940 Status: Corrected

Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0941 Status: Corrected

Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0944 Status: Corrected

Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0949 Status: Corrected

Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

F Potential harm — widespread F0835 Status: Corrected

Administer the facility in a manner that enables it to use its resources effectively and efficiently.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 15, 2025

F Potential harm — widespread F0838 Status: Corrected

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.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 16, 2025

C No harm — widespread F0844 Status: Corrected

Follow rules about disclosure of ownership requirements and tell the state agency about changes in ownership and/or administrative personnel.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 18, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0909 Status: Corrected

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.

Environmental Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

K Immediate jeopardy — pattern F0600 Status: Corrected

Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0943 Status: Corrected

Give their staff education on dementia care, and what abuse, neglect, and exploitation are; and how to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0607 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 17, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0609 Status: Corrected

Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 17, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0610 Status: Corrected

Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 17, 2025

F Potential harm — widespread F0881 Status: Corrected

Implement a program that monitors antibiotic use.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

F Potential harm — widespread F0882 Status: Corrected

Designate a qualified infection preventionist to be responsible for the infection prevent and control program in the nursing home.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0945 Status: Corrected

Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

D Potential harm — isolated F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

K Immediate jeopardy — pattern F0725 Status: Corrected

Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

K Immediate jeopardy — pattern F0726 Status: Corrected

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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

F Potential harm — widespread F0727 Status: Corrected

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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

F Potential harm — widespread F0728 Status: Corrected

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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

F Potential harm — widespread F0801 Status: Corrected

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.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 25, 2025

K Immediate jeopardy — pattern F0689 Status: Corrected

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected March 4, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0695 Status: Corrected

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

K Immediate jeopardy — pattern F0689 Status: Corrected

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 1, 2025

D Potential harm — isolated F0842 Status: Corrected

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

E Potential harm — pattern F0942 Status: Corrected

Ensure that staff members are educated on resident rights and facility responsibilities to properly care for its residents.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 7, 2026

Inspection cycle 2 (July 31, 2024)

F Potential harm — widespread F0868 Status: Corrected

Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 15, 2024

B No harm — pattern F0941 Status: Corrected

Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program that includes effective communications for direct care staff members.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

B No harm — pattern F0944 Status: Corrected

Conduct mandatory training, for all staff, on the facility’s Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Program.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

B No harm — pattern F0949 Status: Corrected

Provide behavior health training consistent with the requirements and as determined by a facility assessment.

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0926 Status: Corrected

Have policies on smoking.

Environmental Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 8, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0909 Status: Corrected

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.

Environmental Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 20, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0607 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.

Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 15, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected January 1, 2025

E Potential harm — pattern F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 2, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0728 Status: Corrected

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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 15, 2024

B No harm — pattern F0732 Status: Corrected

Post nurse staffing information every day.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0803 Status: Corrected

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.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 2, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0812 Status: Corrected

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 2, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0689 Status: Corrected

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0695 Status: Corrected

Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 5, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0686 Status: Corrected

Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 1, 2024

C No harm — widespread F0680 Status: Corrected

Ensure the activities program is directed by a qualified professional.

Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 19, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0656 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 8, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0842 Status: Corrected

Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 8, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0655 Status: Corrected

Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 8, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0657 Status: Corrected

Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 8, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0656 Status: Corrected

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 1, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0580 Status: Corrected

Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected November 8, 2024

E Potential harm — pattern F0550 Status: Corrected

Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 1, 2024

D Potential harm — isolated F0558 Status: Corrected

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected September 1, 2024

C No harm — widespread F0576 Status: Corrected

Ensure residents have reasonable access to and privacy in their use of communication methods.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected August 31, 2024

Inspection cycle 3 (June 8, 2023)

E Potential harm — pattern F0868 Status: Corrected

Have the Quality Assessment and Assurance group have the required members and meet at least quarterly

Administration Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0908 Status: Corrected

Keep all essential equipment working safely.

Environmental Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected December 20, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0880 Status: Corrected

Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Infection Control Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0711 Status: Corrected

Ensure the resident's doctor reviews the resident's care, writes, signs and dates progress notes and orders, at each required visit.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0727 Status: Corrected

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.

Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0812 Status: Corrected

Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0761 Status: Corrected

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.

Pharmacy Service Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0558 Status: Corrected

Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

E Potential harm — pattern F0567 Status: Corrected

Honor the resident's right to manage his or her financial affairs.

Resident Rights Deficiencies — Deficient, Provider has date of correction, corrected July 7, 2023

Fines and Enforcement Actions

Penalties CMS has imposed on this facility. A fine is a civil money penalty; a payment denial suspends Medicare or Medicaid payment for new admissions.

Date Action Amount or length
February 16, 2026 Fine $210,935
August 22, 2025 Fine $180,952

2 fines totalling $391,887.

Source: CMS Penalties file (dataset g6vv-u9sr).

Ownership and Contact Information

Facility name
Merkel Nursing Center
Legal business name
EMI HEALTHCARE LLC
Address
1704 N 1ST, Merkel, TX 79536
Phone
(325) 928-5673
Provider number (CCN)
676053
Ownership type
For profit - Limited Liability company
Operator
STROH PROPERTIES · 2 facilities
Medicare/Medicaid certified since
June 1, 2005
Official record
CMS Care Compare profile ↗
Details verified against CMS data dated
July 1, 2026

The federal nursing-home files publish no email address for certified facilities, so none is listed here. We do not guess or construct contact addresses. Contact details above are reproduced from CMS Provider Information; call the facility to confirm before relying on them.

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Sources and Methodology

The NursingHomeGrade score is our own calculation from these federal files — it is not a CMS rating and not a consumer review score. See exactly how the score is calculated · full methodology · source files and load dates.

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