nursing home in Independence, IA
Buchanan County Health Center
1600 First Street East, Independence, IA 50644 · (319) 334-6071
CMS overall star rating
- Health inspections★★★★★4
- Staffing★★★★★5
- Quality measures★★★★★4
- CMS high performer
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. We refresh our information from this source. About our data
Buchanan County Health Center at a glance
Buchanan County Health Center is a 39-bed government nursing home in Independence, Iowa (Buchanan County).
CMS gives it 5 out of 5 stars on its overall star rating, better than the Iowa average of 3.1.
Residents receive about 4.2 hours of nursing care per day (1.2 of them from registered nurses), better than the state average of 3.8 hours.
Its most recent standard health inspection (March 19, 2026) found 1 health citation. The Iowa average is 6.5.
Federal regulators fined it 1 time in the past three years, totaling $4,011.
Nursing staff turnover is 26.3% per year (state average 44%).
Facility details
- Type
- Nursing home
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Beds
- 39
- Certified for
- Medicaid
- Medicare-certified since
- October 1, 1974
- Resident/family council
- Resident
- County
- Buchanan County
- CMS Certification Number
- 16E050
Ratings
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 5 / 5 | 3.1 / 5 | 3 / 5 | Better |
| Health inspection rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 4 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 | 2.8 / 5 | Better |
| Staffing rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 5 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 | 2.9 / 5 | Better |
| Quality measures rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 4 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | 3.6 / 5 | Average |
| Long-stay quality rating (higher is better) | 4 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 | Average |
Staffing
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total nurse staff hours per resident per day ⓘ (higher is better) | 4.19 hrs | 3.82 hrs | 3.86 hrs | Better |
| Registered nurse hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 1.22 hrs | 0.74 hrs | 0.69 hrs | Better |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 2.62 hrs | 2.52 hrs | 2.32 hrs | Better |
| Weekend nurse staff hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 3.38 hrs | 3.37 hrs | 3.42 hrs | Average |
| Nursing staff turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 26.3% | 44% | 45.8% | Better |
| Registered nurse turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 12.5% | 42.1% | 42.9% | Better |
Inspections
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Health citations in the most recent inspection (lower is better) | 1 | 6 | 9 | Better |
| Citations from complaint investigations (latest cycle) (lower is better) | 0 | 3 | 3 | Better |
| Weighted health inspection score ⓘ (lower is better) | 17 | 54.5 | 80.6 | Better |
Penalties
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Worse |
| Total fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | $4,011 | $19,286 | $30,972 | Better |
| All federal penalties in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 1 | 1 | 1 | Average |
Size
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified beds | 39 | 65 | 107 | |
| Average residents per day | 35 | 52 | 86 | |
| Occupancy | 88.5% | 81.5% | 80.9% |
Long-stay residents
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-stay residents with a fall causing major injury (lower is better) | 8.1% | 3.8% | 3.2% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with pressure ulcers (lower is better) | 2.6% | 4.2% | 4.6% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given antipsychotic medication (lower is better) | 16% | 19.5% | 15.4% | Average |
| Long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection (lower is better) | 9.7% | 2.4% | 1.6% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with a catheter left in the bladder (lower is better) | 0% | 1.5% | 0.8% | Better |
| Long-stay residents needing more help with daily activities (lower is better) | 15.5% | 17.1% | 13.9% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents whose walking worsened (lower is better) | 17.2% | 16.6% | 14.1% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents who lose too much weight (lower is better) | 3.6% | 4.6% | 5.2% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with depressive symptoms (lower is better) | 0% | 4.2% | 12.8% | Better |
| Long-stay residents who were physically restrained (lower is better) | 0% | 0.2% | 0.1% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given anti-anxiety or sleep medication (lower is better) | 21.8% | 20.8% | 19.5% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with new or worse incontinence (lower is better) | 13.6% | 25.6% | 19% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given a flu vaccine (higher is better) | 100% | 95.3% | 95.5% | Average |
| Long-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 99.2% | 94% | 93.6% | Better |
Short-stay residents
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 73% | 84% | 82% | Worse |
Inspection citations
State inspectors cited this home for 12 health deficiencies and 5 fire safety deficiencies in the inspection records CMS currently publishes. 1 citation involved actual harm, including 1 rated "immediate jeopardy".
| Date | Citation | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 19, 2026 Fire safety | Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed. Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies · Tag K0921 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 26, 2026 |
| March 19, 2026 Fire safety | Install a two-hour-resistant firewall separation. Construction Deficiencies · Tag K0133 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 18, 2026 |
| March 19, 2026 Fire safety | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies · Tag K0918 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 25, 2026 |
| March 19, 2026 Standard | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 | E Potential harm, pattern | Corrected March 20, 2026 |
| March 20, 2025 Fire safety | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. Egress Deficiencies · Tag K0291 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 31, 2025 |
| March 20, 2025 Fire safety | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. Miscellaneous Deficiencies · Tag K0712 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 31, 2025 |
| March 20, 2025 Standard | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected March 31, 2025 |
| March 20, 2025 Standard | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected March 31, 2025 |
| March 20, 2025 Standard | Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals. Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 | B No harm, pattern | Corrected March 31, 2025 |
| March 20, 2025 Standard | Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0637 | B No harm, pattern | Corrected March 31, 2025 |
| November 26, 2024 Complaint | Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0689 | J Immediate jeopardy, isolated | Corrected October 31, 2024 |
| November 26, 2024 Complaint | Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0741 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected December 27, 2024 |
| June 6, 2024 Standard | 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. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0801 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected July 5, 2024 |
| June 6, 2024 Standard | Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected July 5, 2024 |
| June 6, 2024 Standard | Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0637 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected July 5, 2024 |
| June 6, 2024 Standard | Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason. Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0688 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected July 5, 2024 |
| June 6, 2024 Standard | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 | D Potential harm, isolated | Corrected July 5, 2024 |
Severity letters follow the CMS scope-and-severity grid: A–C no actual harm with potential for minimal harm; D–F potential for more than minimal harm; G–I actual harm; J–L immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety. How to read inspection citations.
Fines and payment denials
CMS reports 1 federal penalty in the past three years, including $4,011 in fines.
| Date | Penalty | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| November 26, 2024 | Fine | $4,011 |
Owners and managers
Individuals and organizations reported to CMS as owning or operating this nursing home.
| Name | Role | Share | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| ownership data not available |
Other nursing homes near Buchanan County Health Center
Rehabilitation Centers of Independence West Campus
1610 Third Street NE, Independence, IA 50644 · under 1 mi
For-profit · 70 beds · Part of Legacy Healthcare
★★★★★3AverageOelwein Health Care Center
600 Seventh Street SE, Oelwein, IA 50662 · 14 mi
For-profit · 61 beds · Part of Legacy Healthcare
★★★★★3AverageGrandview Healthcare Center
800 Fifth Street SE, Oelwein, IA 50662 · 14.1 mi
For-profit · 72 beds · Part of Legacy Healthcare
★★★★★4Above averageLaporte City Specialty Care
1100 Hwy 218 N, La Porte City, IA 50651 · 20.2 mi
Non-profit · 46 beds · Part of Care Initiatives
★★★★★4Above averageVirginia Gay Nursing & Rehab, LLC
502 North Ninth Avenue, Vinton, IA 52349 · 21.6 mi
Non-profit · 40 beds
★★★★★3Average- ★★★★★4Above average
All nursing homes in Independence, IA · Compare side by side
Frequently asked questions
What is Buchanan County Health Center's rating?
Buchanan County Health Center has 5 out of 5 stars on the CMS overall star rating. The average for Iowa nursing homes is 3.1 stars.
How many inspection citations did Buchanan County Health Center receive?
Its most recent standard health inspection found 1 citation, compared with a Iowa average of 6.5. Every citation is listed on this page with its severity.
Does Buchanan County Health Center accept Medicare and Medicaid?
CMS lists it as certified for: Medicaid. Call the facility to confirm bed availability and whether it accepts your specific plan.
Who owns Buchanan County Health Center?
It is government - county. The ownership section on this page lists the owners and managers reported to CMS.
Where is Buchanan County Health Center and how do I contact it?
Buchanan County Health Center is at 1600 First Street East, Independence, IA 50644. Phone: (319) 334-6071.
About this data
Ratings and measures come from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. They're based on state inspections, patient surveys and facility reports, and they describe the past. Facilities change, so visit in person and confirm details directly. About our data · Spotted an error? Let us know.