PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Preferred Care at Mercer in Ewing, New Jersey, has a Trust Grade of B+, which means it is above average and recommended for families considering nursing home options. It ranks #62 out of 344 facilities in New Jersey, placing it in the top half, and #2 out of 16 in Mercer County, indicating only one other local facility is rated higher. However, the facility's trend is worsening, with the number of issues increasing from 2 in 2024 to 3 in 2025. Staffing has a below-average rating of 2 out of 5 stars, and while turnover is at 37%, which is slightly better than the state average, it suggests some instability in staff. Notably, the facility has no fines on record, which is a positive sign. However, there are specific concerns, such as a medication error rate of 6.97%, exceeding the acceptable threshold, and a lack of recognition for Veteran's Day on the activity calendar, which implies a failure to honor residents' preferences. On another occasion, food safety practices were inadequate, as potentially hazardous foods were improperly stored and kitchen staff did not follow hygiene protocols. Overall, while Preferred Care at Mercer has some strengths, such as a solid reputation and no fines, there are critical areas needing improvement to ensure resident safety and dignity.
- Trust Score
- B+
- In New Jersey
- #62/344
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Worse
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 37% turnover. Near New Jersey's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most New Jersey facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 33 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for New Jersey. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 14 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (37%)
11 points below New Jersey average of 48%
Facility shows strength in quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
Near New Jersey avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 14 deficiencies on record
Aug 2025
3 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0760
(Tag F0760)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Complaint #: 2575153 Based on interviews, record review, and review of other pertinent facility documents on 08/01/2025, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that a resident (Resident ...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: 2575153Based on observation, interviews, record review, and review of other pertinent facility documents it was det...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Unnecessary Medications
(Tag F0759)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #:2575153 Based on observation, interviews, medical record review, and review of pertinent facility documents, it was ...
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Aug 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of pertinent documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that Minimum Data Sets (MDS), an assessment tool, were accur...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, record review, and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that a resident who needed respiratory care was provide...
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Nov 2022
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Assessment Accuracy
(Tag F0641)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, review of the medical record and other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that an accurate Minimum Data Set (MDS), an assessm...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review it was determined that the facility failed to implement a comprehensive care plan for one (1) of 20 residents (Resident #76) reviewed for the impleme...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview, record review, and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that the care and documentation of a resident's dialysis access site...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and review of the medical record and other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to follow physician orders related to the use of oxygen f...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and review of pertinent facility documents, it was determined that the facility failed to ensur...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0921)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, and review of facility documentation it was determined that the facility failed to provide a ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review it was determined that the facility failed to preserve the dignity and personal preference for one (1) of 12 residents, Resident #51. The deficient p...
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Mar 2020
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. On 03/10/20 at 12:22 PM, the surveyor observed lunch being delivered to residents who dined in their rooms on the subacute un...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to a.) store and handle potentially hazardous foods and maintain kitchen sanitation in manner to prevent ...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Grade B+ (85/100). Above average facility, better than most options in New Jersey.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most New Jersey facilities.
- • 37% turnover. Below New Jersey's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • 14 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
About This Facility
What is Preferred Care At Mercer's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within New Jersey, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Preferred Care At Mercer Staffed?
CMS rates PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER's staffing level at 2 out of 5 stars, which is below average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 37%, compared to the New Jersey average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Preferred Care At Mercer?
State health inspectors documented 14 deficiencies at PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER during 2020 to 2025. These included: 14 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Preferred Care At Mercer?
PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by PREFERRED CARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 100 certified beds and approximately 89 residents (about 89% occupancy), it is a mid-sized facility located in EWING, New Jersey.
How Does Preferred Care At Mercer Compare to Other New Jersey Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New Jersey, PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.3, staff turnover (37%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Preferred Care At Mercer?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "Can you walk me through typical staffing levels on day, evening, and night shifts?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?" These questions are particularly relevant given the below-average staffing rating.
Is Preferred Care At Mercer Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in New Jersey. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Preferred Care At Mercer Stick Around?
PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER has a staff turnover rate of 37%, which is about average for New Jersey nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Preferred Care At Mercer Ever Fined?
PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Preferred Care At Mercer on Any Federal Watch List?
PREFERRED CARE AT MERCER is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.