nursing home in Emmetsburg, IA
Palo Alto County Hospital
3201 First Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 · (712) 852-5520
CMS overall star rating
- Health inspections★★★★★4
- Staffing★★★★★4
- Quality measures★★★★★4
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), Medicare Care Compare. We refresh our information from this source. About our data
Palo Alto County Hospital at a glance
Palo Alto County Hospital is a 22-bed government nursing home in Emmetsburg, Iowa (Palo Alto County).
CMS gives it 4 out of 5 stars on its overall star rating, better than the Iowa average of 3.1.
Residents receive about 3.1 hours of nursing care per day (1.4 of them from registered nurses), worse than the state average of 3.8 hours.
Its most recent standard health inspection (July 17, 2025) found 1 health citation. The Iowa average is 6.5.
It has not received a federal fine in the past three years.
Nursing staff turnover is 17.6% per year (state average 44%).
Facility details
- Type
- Nursing home
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Beds
- 22
- Certified for
- Medicaid
- Medicare-certified since
- February 5, 1986
- Resident/family council
- Resident
- County
- Palo Alto County
- CMS Certification Number
- 16E668
Ratings
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall star rating ⓘ (higher is better) | 4 / 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) | 4 / 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) | 3.07 hrs | 3.82 hrs | 3.86 hrs | Worse |
| Registered nurse hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 1.36 hrs | 0.74 hrs | 0.69 hrs | Better |
| Nurse aide hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 1.57 hrs | 2.52 hrs | 2.32 hrs | Worse |
| Weekend nurse staff hours per resident per day (higher is better) | 2.30 hrs | 3.37 hrs | 3.42 hrs | Worse |
| Nursing staff turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 17.6% | 44% | 45.8% | Better |
| Registered nurse turnover (yearly) (lower is better) | 14.3% | 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) | 12 | 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) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
| Total fines in the past 3 years (lower is better) | $0 | $19,286 | $30,972 | Better |
| All federal penalties in the past 3 years (lower is better) | 0 | 1 | 1 | Better |
Size
| Measure | This facility | Iowa avg. | U.S. avg. | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified beds | 22 | 65 | 107 | |
| Average residents per day | 22 | 52 | 86 | |
| Occupancy | 99.1% | 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) | 3.5% | 3.8% | 3.2% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents with pressure ulcers (lower is better) | 1.6% | 4.2% | 4.6% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given antipsychotic medication (lower is better) | 6.1% | 19.5% | 15.4% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with a urinary tract infection (lower is better) | 1.2% | 2.4% | 1.6% | Better |
| 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) | 23.5% | 17.1% | 13.9% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents whose walking worsened (lower is better) | 17.9% | 16.6% | 14.1% | Worse |
| Long-stay residents who lose too much weight (lower is better) | 1.4% | 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) | 18.1% | 20.8% | 19.5% | Better |
| Long-stay residents with new or worse incontinence (lower is better) | 12.7% | 25.6% | 19% | Better |
| Long-stay residents given a flu vaccine (higher is better) | 95.7% | 95.3% | 95.5% | Average |
| Long-stay residents given a pneumonia vaccine (higher is better) | 100% | 94% | 93.6% | Better |
Inspection citations
State inspectors cited this home for 1 health deficiency and 6 fire safety deficiencies in the inspection records CMS currently publishes. None were rated as causing actual harm to residents.
| Date | Citation | Severity | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 17, 2025 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 July 22, 2025 |
| July 17, 2025 Fire safety | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. Miscellaneous Deficiencies · Tag K0712 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected July 22, 2025 |
| July 17, 2025 Standard | Electronically submit to CMS complete and accurate direct care staffing information, based on payroll and other verifiable and auditable data. Administration Deficiencies · Tag F0851 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected August 7, 2025 |
| August 29, 2024 Fire safety | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. Miscellaneous Deficiencies · Tag K0712 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected September 12, 2024 |
| August 29, 2024 Fire safety | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. Egress Deficiencies · Tag K0222 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected October 5, 2024 |
| December 7, 2023 Fire safety | Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours. Smoke Deficiencies · Tag K0354 | F Potential harm, widespread | Corrected December 19, 2023 |
| December 7, 2023 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 January 8, 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 no federal fines or payment denials in the past three years.
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 Palo Alto County Hospital
Lakeside Lutheran Home
301 North Lawler Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 · under 1 mi
Non-profit · 55 beds
★★★★★3AverageEmmetsburg Care Center
2405 21st Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 · 1.3 mi
For-profit · 46 beds · Part of Legacy Healthcare
★★★★★1Much below averageRuthven Community Care Center
2701 Mitchell Street Box 0, Ruthven, IA 51358 · 10.6 mi
Non-profit · 46 beds
★★★★★4Above averageWest Bend Health and Rehabilitation
203 Fourth Street NW, West Bend, IA 50597 · 16.6 mi
For-profit · 45 beds · Part of The Ensign Group
★★★★★5Much above averageEstherville Community Care Center
2001 First Avenue North, Estherville, IA 51334 · 20.6 mi
For-profit · 46 beds
- New owner (last 12 months)
★★★★★2Below average- ★★★★★4Above average
Frequently asked questions
What is Palo Alto County Hospital's rating?
Palo Alto County Hospital has 4 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 Palo Alto County Hospital 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 Palo Alto County Hospital 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 Palo Alto County Hospital?
It is government - county. The ownership section on this page lists the owners and managers reported to CMS.
Where is Palo Alto County Hospital and how do I contact it?
Palo Alto County Hospital is at 3201 First Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536. Phone: (712) 852-5520.
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.