Mescalero Care Center
454 Lipan Avenue · Mescalero, NM · 88340 · 5754644802
40 certified beds Non profit - Other
Why this verdict
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Staffing levels are well below research benchmarks for safe care.
- Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
Cited under the freedom-from-abuse rule
Cited 1 time under F600 (freedom from abuse/neglect) below the actual-harm level — worth asking about on a tour.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 1 of 5 Inspections: 2 of 5 Staffing: 1 of 5 Quality measures: not rated
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | — | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | — | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | — | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | — | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (62 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · E December 5, 2025 · found via complaint
Properly hold, secure, and manage each resident's personal money which is deposited with the nursing home.
Corrected January 15, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E December 5, 2025 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected January 15, 2026 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D December 5, 2025 · found via complaint
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected January 15, 2026 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · E December 5, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected January 15, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Ensure that residents are fully informed and understand their health status, care and treatments.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Prevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Assess the resident completely in a timely manner when first admitted, and then periodically, at least every 12 months.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Assure that each resident’s assessment is updated at least once every 3 months.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Provide activities to meet all resident's needs.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D May 19, 2025
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Ensure that the resident and his/her doctor meet face-to-face at all required visits.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Observe each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Ensure a licensed pharmacist perform a monthly drug regimen review, including the medical chart, following irregularity reporting guidelines in developed policies and procedures.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E May 19, 2025
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · F May 19, 2025
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.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · F May 19, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected July 18, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 325116 · certified since December 17, 2003. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.