F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
E

Failure to Ensure Required HIV Training for New and Existing Staff

Merkel Nursing CenterMerkel, Texas Survey Completed on 12-04-2025

Summary

The facility failed to develop, implement, and maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members for 5 of 16 staff reviewed: the ADMN, DON, DM, Maint. D, and NA G. Record review showed the ADMN had a hire date of 8/17/2021, but there was no evidence he completed required annual HIV training for the previous 12 months. Record review also showed the DON, Maint. D, DM, and NA G each had hire dates in 2025, and there was no evidence in their personnel records that they completed required HIV orientation training upon hire. During interviews, the ADMN stated new hires were given orientation through a hyperlink and annual training was done through monthly in-services. He later stated he was responsible for ensuring training was completed for all employees and that not receiving required training could lead to poor quality of care for residents. The AIT stated each department head was responsible for ensuring training was completed, and that the ADMN and office manager monitored completion; she said the training was not done due to an oversight by the ADMN. The DM stated she did not remember receiving any orientation training on HIV and could not remember ever receiving training on HIV. Facility policies reviewed included an Orientation Program for Newly Hired Employees, which required a 10-hour orientation program within the first five days of employment with a written record maintained, and a Staff Development Program listing AIDS among mandatory in-service topics.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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Missing competency validation for PICC line care and IV medication administration
E
F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Short Summary

The facility failed to maintain an effective staff training program based on its facility assessment to ensure LPNs had documented competency for PICC line care and IV medication administration. A resident with osteomyelitis had a PICC line ordered for maintenance and received IV Vancomycin through the line, but employee records contained no competency validation for the LPNs who administered the medication, and the NHA and DON could not provide proof of completed PICC-related competency before care was given.

Inspection fine: $16,350
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Annual Emergency Preparedness Training
C
F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Short Summary

The facility failed to provide annual emergency preparedness training to all staff members. Review of personnel in-service records and staff interviews showed that training was only given during new-employee orientation and was not completed each year. The D of Maintenance and the NHA both confirmed the lapse in required staff training.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Incomplete Nursing Orientation and Competency Verification
F
F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Short Summary

The facility failed to maintain a competency-based nursing orientation process and lacked required competency records for newly hired RNs and LPNs. Staff reported that orientation had been shortened from eight days to three or four days, nursing leadership was excluded from final competency review, and completed checklists were sent to HR instead of the DON. The DON confirmed an RN was placed on the floor independently without verified competencies and that this occurred during the RN’s first solo shift on the 28-resident front medication cart, resulting in a widespread medication error incident.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Inconsistent Nephrostomy Tube Training and Missing Competency Checkoffs
D
F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Short Summary

A facility failed to maintain an effective training program for nephrostomy tube care and flushing. Staff gave conflicting descriptions of the procedure, with one RN describing standard precautions and regular gloves while an LPN described a sterile procedure requiring sterile gloves and a sterile syringe. A resident with a nephrostomy tube was later hospitalized with fever, vomiting, and acute pyelonephritis related to the tube, and the DON and NHA confirmed there were no nephrostomy flushing competency checkoffs for nursing staff.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Required Staff Training
F
F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Short Summary

Missing Required Staff Training: Surveyors found that required annual training was not completed for a CNA and multiple LPNs. Missing topics included effective communication, resident rights and responsibilities, QAPI, infection control, compliance and ethics, behavioral health, and the annual in-service training for nurse aides. The facility stated it did not have a policy related to staff training requirements, and records reviewed were the only training documents provided.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Inadequate Van Transport Safety Training
F
F0940 F940: Develop, implement, and/or maintain an effective training program for all new and existing staff members.
Short Summary

Inadequate van transport safety training led to residents being improperly secured during outings. Staff who drove or assisted with van transport reported little or no training on lap belts, shoulder harnesses, or wheelchair tether straps, and one resident fell from her wheelchair when not properly restrained. Another resident reported the van was driven too fast and caused bruising while she was riding in her wheelchair.

Inspection fine: $45,725
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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