Hearth Record

Merrimack Health Lawrence Hospital

An acute care hospital in Lawrence, Massachusetts 01841

One General Street, Lawrence, Massachusetts 01841. (978) 683-4000.

CMS’s own record, on Care Compare

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The short answer

Record last released by CMS on Oct 20, 2026.

The last 24 months 2 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2025. Most serious: Condition-level. Every month

Each figure’s source sits beside it, in its section below.

What these words mean4
Star ratings
CMS rates some kinds of place from 1 to 5 stars, more stars meaning better on CMS’s own measures for that kind: for a nursing home, its health inspections, staffing and quality measures. A rating is CMS’s summary of those measures; it doesn’t promise good care. Source: CMS, Care Compare and the Five-Star Quality Rating System.
Inspection (survey)
A visit by state inspectors, often unannounced, who check a place against the rules it must meet. For nursing homes and other places Medicare pays, CMS calls these visits surveys: a standard survey of a nursing home comes at least every 15 months, and a complaint survey whenever a complaint calls for one. Source: CMS; 42 CFR 488.308.
Deficiency, citation, violation
What inspectors write up when a place didn’t meet a rule: the rule, what they saw, and when. CMS calls it a deficiency; states may say citation or violation. It is the inspectors’ finding, not a court’s, and the place is usually asked for a plan to correct it. Source: CMS, statement of deficiencies (Form CMS-2567); each state’s licensing agency.
Condition-level deficiency
For hospices, home health agencies, hospitals and dialysis facilities, CMS writes deficiencies at two levels. Standard is the usual one; condition-level is the more serious, when a problem is serious enough that the provider doesn’t meet a whole condition of taking part in Medicare. Source: CMS, State Operations Manual.

What did inspectors find?

The last inspection on record was on Jul 24, 2025: a complaint inspection.

2 deficiencies cited in the last three years, 1 of them at condition level, the most serious.

1 deficiency at condition level, the more serious of CMS’s two levels

Source:

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

When those deficiencies happened

2 deficiencies in 1 month of the last 36. Last cited Jul 2025. Most serious: Condition-level. The last 3 years, to Nov 5, 2026.

2 deficiencies by month over the last 3 years. Each cell is one month.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2023 Dec
2024 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2025 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
2026 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNov

Hover or focus a month to read it.

No visit on record Visited, nothing cited A stronger orange is more serious, on its source’s own levels, read onto four bands: from the least serious it publishes to the most
Source:

Hearth Record drew this from the dates and levels in the source’s own records.

Each deficiency, as cited

Rule titles as CMS’s inspectors cite them, set in sentence case.

Source:

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

Jul 24, 2025: complaint inspection2 deficiencies

  • Patient Rights

    “PATIENT RIGHTS CFR(s): 482.13 A hospital must protect and promote each patient’s rights. This Condition is not met as evidenced by: 45980 The Hospital was out of compliance for the Condition of Participation for Patient Rights. Based on interviews and records reviewed, the Hospital failed to ensure that one patient (#1) out of a sample of 10 patients was supervised per Hospital policy. Cross Reference: Patient Rights: Care in a Safe Setting (Tag 0144).”

    Rule A0115. Condition-level. From a complaint.

  • Patient Rights: Care In Safe Setting

    The inspectors’ words, 1,139 words

    “PATIENT RIGHTS: CARE IN SAFE SETTING CFR(s): 482.13(c)(2) The patient has the right to receive care in a safe setting. This Standard is not met as evidenced by: 45980 Based on interviews and records reviewed, the Hospital failed to ensure that one Patient (#1) out of a sample of 10 patients was supervised per Hospital policy; Patient #1 was not supervised by Hospital staff in accordance with the Patient ’ s plan of care for a 2:1 shared observation (2 patients:1 staff member) while on a section 12 (Emergency restraint and temporary involuntary hospitalization of a person posing risk of serious harm by reason of mental illness) psychiatric hold, and was able to elope from the Hospital ’ s Emergency Center (EC) on 3/15/25. Findings include: Review of the Hospital ’ s Behavioral/Psychiatric Complaints/Symptoms Adult and Pediatric Patients-extended stay behavioral patients Policy, revised 12/2023, indicated the following: - All patients will be assessed by the Registered Nurse (RN). Patients presenting with a mental health emergency should be assigned an ESI level 2. The nurse is expected to take action as necessary and permitted by policy to protect the patient and the staff. -All patients at risk will be requested to undress, placed in a hospital scrubs and have their belongings searched for weapons and placed in a secure cabinet. If a patient continues to refuse and safety of the patient or staff member is a concern, then Security will be called, and the Security Departments search, and seizure policy will be implemented. -The patient as risk must be observed. This is a shared responsibility between the EC staff and the Patient Safety Monitors (PSM). -The patient will be placed on Observation with documentation of observer ’ s title and verbal hand off to the 1:1 observer will take place at all shift changes. Review of Patient #1 ’ s medical record indicated that he/she presented to the Hospital EC via Emergency Medical Services (EMS) from a group home after being found in a tree naked. Patient #1 was brought in under Section 12 due to behaving dangerously. Patient #1 was triaged as an ESI Emergency Service Index (ESI) level 2 (Emergent). Review of Patient #1 ’ s Progress Note documented by the Attending Physician, dated 3/15/25 at 12:37 A.M., indicated that Patient #1 was brought into the EC by EMS for intoxication. The note further indicated that Patient #1 will be monitored in the ED for sobriety and reassess for any emergent medical complaints, or SI/HI (suicidal ideation/homicidal ideation) on sobering. Review of Patient #1 ’ s Behavioral Health/Suicide Risk/Restraint/Patient Safety Intervention/Assessment/Treatment Plan of Care dated 3/15/25 at 6:31 A.M., indicated that Patient #1 was under section 12; safety observation was for shared observer 2:1 or 3:1 (2 patients:1 PSM or 3 patients:1 PSM) for Delirium/Restlessness, Confusion. During an interview on 7/23/25 at 10:59 A.M., Public Safety Officer (PSO) #1 said while he was walking through the EC Patient #1 approached him to use the phone. The PSO said Patient #1 was dressed in street clothes and there was no PSM present. The PSO said patients who are under section 12 typically are changed into hospital scrubs and would be accompanied by a PSM. During an interview on 7/23/25 at 11:44 A.M., the Senior Director of EC said she was involved in the investigation of Patient #1 ’ s elopement event on 3/15/25. She said patients who come in with behavioral health complaints are considered at risk. She said patients identified to be at risk need to be changed into hospital scrubs per policy. She said if the patient refuses this should be documented in the chart and security called to do a search of the patient. The Senior Director of EC services said opportunities were identified for education to all EC staff on the importance of changing patients out of their street clothes, documenting if refused and for the RN to provide a thorough hand-off to the PSM ’ s. She said she emailed the education to all EC staff but was unable to provide documentation that this was implemented. During an interview on 7/23/25 at 1:12 P.M., PSM #2 said she was covering PSM #1 ’ s break on 3/15/25. She said she was observing two patients at the time, including Patient #1. PSM #2 said she did not receive a handoff from PSM #1 regarding Patient #1. She said the patient safety monitoring form was missing a patient sticker, was not filled out by the RN and lacked information about Patient #1 ’ s needs. She further said she was unaware Patient #1 was under section 12 and that he/she was dressed in street clothes. PSM #2 said she was distracted by the other patient she was assigned to observe and lost sight of Patient #1 for a few minutes. She said when she looked back, Patient #1 was no longer present, the stretcher had been cleaned, so she assumed they had been discharged. During an interview on 7/24/25 at 8:31 A.M., PSM #1 said that on 3/15/25, she was assigned to provide 2:1 observation for two patients, including Patient #1. PSM #1 said she was unable to recall whether she received a handoff for Patient #1. She said the patient safety monitoring form did not have a patient sticker or identifying information and was not completed by the RN assigned to Patient #1. She further said Patient #1 was dressed in regular clothes. PSM #1 said she went on break, and PSM #2 assumed observation of Patient #1. She said when she returned Patient #1 was no longer present and upon inquiring with PSM #2, was told she believed Patient #1 was discharged. During an interview on 7/24/25 at 10:19 A.M., the Risk Manager said she was involved in the investigation of Patient #1 elopement event. She said Patient #1 was on shared 2:1 observation. She said when a PSM is watching two patients the expectation is that both patients are visualized at all times and if this can ’ t be maintained, assistance should be sought. The risk manager said the investigation concluded that PSM #2 was distracted by the other patient on shared observation and lost sight of Patient #1 for approximately five minutes, during which time he/she eloped. The risk manager said in response to Patient #1 ’ s elopement event opportunities were identified for staff education including the importance of changing patients out of their street clothes or documenting if the patient refuses and ensuring that RNs provide a thorough handoff to PSMs, as well as a complete handoff between PSMs. She said spot checks are being conducted throughout the day to verify that PSM ’ s know who they are observing and the reason for the observation. The Risk Manager was unable to provide documentation that the education was implemented.”

    Rule A0144. Standard-level. From a complaint.

The one inspection in the last three years
Inspections on record
DateVisitWhat the record says
Jul 24, 2025Complaint inspection2 deficiencies cited

How do patients fare?

  • CMS’s overall for it is 2 of 5.
  • Of the measures behind its , CMS counts against the national value: mortality, 0 better and 0 worse of 7; safety of care, 2 better and 0 worse of 7; readmission, 0 better and 1 worse of 8.
  • Patients rate it 2 of 5 in CMS’s patient survey (956 surveys completed, Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): 59% rated it 9 or 10 out of 10, and 62% would definitely recommend it.
  • Infections, compared by CMS with the national benchmark (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025): central line bloodstream infections (CLABSI), better than the national benchmark; catheter urinary tract infections (CAUTI), no different than national benchmark; surgical site infections after colon surgery, no different than national benchmark; MRSA bloodstream infections, no different than national benchmark; C. diff infections, better than the national benchmark.
  • CMS’s patient safety composite for serious complications, PSI 90, Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2024: no different than the national value.
  • Deaths within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2022 to Jun 30, 2025): heart attack 11.7%, heart failure 12.5%, pneumonia 18.2%, COPD 11.3%, stroke 13.2%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
  • Readmissions within 30 days, as CMS gives them (Jul 1, 2023 to Jun 30, 2025): heart attack 14.7%, heart failure 21.9%, pneumonia 18.7%, COPD 19.1%, hip or knee replacement 6.2%. CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for them in this release.
  • After outpatient care, compared by CMS: unplanned hospital visits after a colonoscopy, no different than the national rate; unplanned hospital visits after outpatient surgery, no different than expected.
  • Emergency department patients spent a median of 241 minutes there before leaving (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025), and 5% left before being seen.
  • 39% of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock got the care CMS measures, SEP-1 (Oct 1, 2024 to Sep 30, 2025).
  • Medicare’s spending per patient here is 1.07 times the national median (Jan 1, 2024 to Dec 31, 2024).
Source:

CMS, Hospital General Information, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital, Healthcare Associated Infections - Hospital, Timely and Effective Care - Hospital and Medicare Spending Per Beneficiary - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, Complications and Deaths - Hospital and Unplanned Hospital Visits - Hospital. Released Sep 30, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Ratings and measures, as published
MeasureRating
Overall ratingCMS’s overall hospital quality star rating, 1 to 52 of 5
Patient survey ratingCMS star rating from its survey of the hospital’s patients (HCAHPS), 1 to 52 of 5

Is it certified, and in good standing?

  • Medicare-certified acute care hospital since Jul 1, 1966.
  • Ownership: voluntary non-profit - private.
  • It is accredited by The Joint Commission, whose surveys stand in for the state’s routine inspections.
  • Cited at in the last three years: it didn’t meet a whole condition of Medicare’s rules for hospitals.
  • Voluntary non-profit - Private.
Source:

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

Has it been penalized?

  • CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals.
  • Not among the hospitals whose Medicare payments CMS cut under the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program for fiscal year 2026.
  • 2 deficiencies cited in the last three years came from inspections that included a complaint investigation.
Source:

CMS, Hospital-Acquired Condition (HAC) Reduction Program. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated yearly.

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

CMS, QCOR Hospital 2567 statements of deficiencies. Released Oct 20, 2026. Updated monthly.

What do patients say about their care?

  • CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
  • In CMS’s patient survey, patients rate how well its nurses communicated 3 of 5.
  • 100% of its health care workers got a flu shot (Oct 1, 2024 to Mar 31, 2025).
Source:

CMS, Patient survey (HCAHPS) - Hospital and Timely and Effective Care - Hospital. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

Who owns it?

  • 22 owners or officers are people: Eduardo S Haddad (corporate director, 4.7%); Brenden Hayden (corporate director); Rosemarie Day (corporate director); Jose Cruz (corporate director); Vilma Martinez-Dominguez (corporate director); Kevin Kilday (corporate officer); Kevin Kilday (corporate director); Kevin Kilday (runs it (operational or managerial control)); Diana Richardson (corporate director); Glenn S Newsome (corporate director); Juan Montanez (corporate director); Marianne Paley-Nadel (corporate director); John Whitlock (corporate officer); John Whitlock (corporate director); John Whitlock (managing employee (on the payroll)); Greg Sebasky (corporate director); Lane Glenn (corporate director); Carol Powers (corporate director); Mark Johnson (corporate director); Dan Rivera (corporate director); Joyce Shannon (corporate director); Michael Sklar (corporate director).
  • CMS’s Provider of Services file records 1 change of ownership.
  • No private-equity firm among the owners CMS lists.
  • No real-estate investment trust among the owners CMS lists.
Source:

CMS, Hospital All Owners and Hospital Enrollments. Released Sep 29, 2026. Updated monthly.

CMS, Provider of Services File - Hospital & Non-Hospital Facilities. Released Oct 14, 2026. Updated quarterly.

How does it compare nearby?

  • Of the 6 hospitals CMS lists in Essex County, 5 have an overall star rating from CMS: 1 rated 5 of 5, 2 rated 3 of 5, 2 rated 2 of 5.
  • CMS rates this one 2 of 5.
Source:

CMS, Hospital General Information. Released Aug 13, 2026. Updated quarterly.

5 compared
PlaceOverall star rating
Anna Jaques Hospital3
Northeast Hospital Corporation3
North Shore Medical Center -5
Holy Family Hospital2
Whittier PavilionNot given

What the record doesn’t say

  • CMS doesn’t publish fines or other penalties for hospitals, so none are shown. The one payment cut CMS publishes for each hospital, under its Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program, is shown where it applies.
  • Only complaints that led to a citation appear; complaints that didn’t aren’t published.
  • Most hospitals are accredited by a private organisation (The Joint Commission, DNV and others) whose routine inspections stand in for the state’s; those reports aren’t public, and QCOR holds only the state’s surveys: no inspection on record here doesn’t mean none took place.
  • QCOR says its hospital inspection data are complete only through September 17, 2026, while it moves to a new system.
  • CMS doesn’t publish staffing levels for hospitals.
  • In its September 2026 release CMS gives no comparison with the national rate for death and readmission rates, though it gives the rates.

Sources

If you believe something here is wrong, a correction starts with the agency whose record this copies: CMS. CMS’s own record is on Care Compare. If Hearth Record copied something wrongly, it will fix it and log the correction publicly, with its date: how corrections work.

Source:

This copy of the record was made on Nov 5, 2026.

From the hospital

The public record above comes first. Anything the hospital adds will appear here, below it, and say who wrote it.

Replies

None. Replies aren’t open yet. When they open, the hospital will be able to answer any finding for free, and the reply will show beside that finding, unedited and dated.

Paid listing

None. Paid listings aren’t open yet. When they open, anything paid for will say “Paid by the hospital”, and paying will never change a finding, a rating or the order of results.

How to read a record

Four things every record does, shown on an example record made up for this guide.

An example record, made up for this guide

An example nursing home

Made up for this guide: no real place is shown

Not fully inspected in over two years (CMS flag)

11 health citations at the latest inspection cycle

The state average is 14.3.

Source:

CMS, State and US Averages and Health Deficiencies. Released Oct 28, 2026. Updated monthly.

From the homeNone yet. Replies and paid listings aren’t open, and when they open they will sit here, below the record.

1 of 4

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Who published it, when, and how often it changes sit beside each fact, with a link to the agency’s own file.

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