F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
E

Missing Infection Control 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 infection prevention and control training program for all new and existing staff. Record review showed that the DON, DM, LVN E, and NA G each had a hire date documented in their personnel records, but there was no evidence that any of them completed infection control training upon hire or while working at the facility. The report stated that these four staff members were among 16 staff reviewed for infection control training, and they were the only ones identified as lacking evidence of the required training. During interviews, the ADMN stated that new hires were given orientation through a hyperlink and that annual training was done through monthly in-services. He later stated he was responsible for ensuring training was completed for all employees and acknowledged that not receiving required training could lead to poor quality of care. The AIT stated that department heads were responsible for ensuring training was completed, or the office manager if the employee was in administration, and said the ADMN and office manager monitored completion; she also stated the training was not done due to an oversight by the ADMN. The DM stated she did not remember receiving any orientation training on infection control. Facility policy required newly hired personnel, volunteers, and transfers to attend a 10-hour orientation within their first five days, and the staff development policy listed infection control as a mandatory in-service topic for all personnel.

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

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0945 citations
Missing Infection Control Training for Nurse Aide
D
F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Short Summary

Missing Infection Control Training for a Nurse Aide. Facility education records for the year reviewed did not include Infection Control training for one of five direct care staff, a Nurse Aide. The NHA stated education is distributed electronically during the calendar year and confirmed the training was not 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.
Failure to Document Infection Control Training for Agency CNAs
F
F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Short Summary

The facility failed to ensure agency CNA staff had documented infection control training. Record review showed no proof that four agency CNAs had completed the required training, and an Administrative Nurse stated the facility relied on the agency providers to ensure staff education. The facility also could not provide a policy for verifying that all staff had received the required education.

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 Annual Infection Control Training for Multiple Staff
E
F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Short Summary

The facility failed to ensure annual infection control training was completed and documented for a dietary server, a lifestyle manager, a physical therapy assistant, and a speech therapist. Review of transcripts showed missing infection control entries for several staff, and a later-submitted document for the lifestyle manager showed training completion but still no infection control training for the following year. The DON said infection control was part of annual staff education, while the HRD acknowledged that multiple staff transcripts did not show the required 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.
Missing Infection Control Training Documentation
D
F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Short Summary

Missing Infection Control Training Documentation: The facility failed to maintain documented evidence that a CNA completed annual infection control training. During the annual survey, review of the CNA’s employee file showed no proof of 2025 infection control training, and HR later acknowledged the facility could not provide the required documentation. The Staff Educator stated infection control is part of annual training and competency requirements for nursing aides.

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.
Failure to Provide Required Infection Control Training
D
F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Short Summary

Failure to provide mandatory Infection Control training for one NA was identified. Facility policy required compliance with training standards and mandatory infection control in-service education, but the NA’s personnel file did not show annual Infection Control training for the required period. HR confirmed the training was not 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.
Missing Infection Control Training for Two CNAs
D
F0945 F945: Include as part of its infection prevention and control program, mandatory training that includes written standards, policies, and procedures for the program.
Short Summary

The facility failed to ensure that two of six employees had infection control training as part of its IPC program. During an extended survey, the administrator could not provide evidence of training for two CNAs, and record review showed no documentation that they had received infection control training. The DON and regional director later confirmed that all staff should have infection control training.

Inspection fine: $38,560
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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