Palo Alto County Hospital

3201 First Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536 (712) 852-5520
Government - County 22 Beds Independent Data: November 2025
Trust Grade
83/100
#137 of 392 in IA
Last Inspection: July 2025

Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.

Overview

Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, Iowa, has a Trust Grade of B+, indicating it is above average and recommended for families considering care options. It ranks #137 out of 392 facilities in Iowa, placing it in the top half, and is the best option among five facilities in Palo Alto County. Staffing is a strength, with a turnover rate of only 26%, significantly lower than the state average of 44%, and the facility has more registered nurse coverage than 99% of other Iowa facilities. However, there was one concern noted during inspections: the facility failed to accurately report staff data, which resulted in some shifts lacking licensed nurse coverage at certain times. Overall, while there are strengths in staffing and quality, families should be aware of this reporting issue as a potential area for improvement.

Trust Score
B+
83/100
In Iowa
#137/392
Top 34%
Safety Record
Low Risk
No red flags
Inspections
Too New
0 → 1 violations
Staff Stability
✓ Good
26% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 22 points below Iowa's 48% average. Staff who stay learn residents' needs.
Penalties
✓ Good
No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Iowa facilities.
Skilled Nurses
✓ Good
Each resident gets 94 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of Iowa nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
Violations
✓ Good
Only 1 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
★★★★☆
4.0
Overall Rating
★★★★☆
4.0
Staff Levels
★★★★☆
4.0
Care Quality
★★★★☆
4.0
Inspection Score
Stable
: 0 issues
2025: 1 issues

The Good

  • 4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
  • 4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
  • Low Staff Turnover (26%) · Staff stability means consistent care
  • Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
  • No fines on record
  • Staff turnover is low (26%)

    22 points below Iowa average of 48%

Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, staff retention, fire safety.

The Bad

No Significant Concerns Identified

This facility shows no red flags. Among Iowa's 100 nursing homes, only 1% achieve this.

The Ugly 1 deficiencies on record

Jul 2025 1 deficiency
CONCERN (F)

Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed

Staffing Data (Tag F0851)

Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents

Based on the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Staffing Data Report (January 1- March 31), facility time card records and staff interviews, the facility failed...

Read full inspector narrative →
Based on the Center of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Payroll Based Journal (PBJ) Staffing Data Report (January 1- March 31), facility time card records and staff interviews, the facility failed to submit accurate staff data for the PBJ Staffing Data Report. The facility reported a census of 21 residents.Findings include: The PBJ Staffing Data Report run date 7/10/2025 triggered for failure to have licensed nurse coverage 24 hours/day on the following infraction dates: 1/18, 1/24, 1/25, 1/26, 2/6, 2/16, 2/20, 2/23, 3/1, 3/2, 3/9, 3/22 and 3/23. Review of the facility report titled Detailed Hours for the infraction dates reflected the Unit Coordinator/Registered Nurse (RN) covered the nursing shifts on 1/18, 1/24,1/26, 2/6, 2/16, 2/20, 2/23, 3/1, 3/2, and 3/22. Review of facility form titled Employee Timesheet for Staff A, RN revealed Staff A covered a nursing shift on the evening/overnight of 1/24/25. On 7/16/25 at 9:50 AM, the Director of Nursing (DON) reported Staff A's nursing hours were not coded correctly and not reported to PBJ on 1/24/25. She said Staff A normally worked in the 100 hall in the hospital and the job classification was not changed when she picked up the shift.On 7/16/25 at 10:45 AM, the DON verified the Unit Coordinator/RN worked as a charge nurse on 1/18, 1/24,1/26, 2/6, 2/16, 2/20, 2/23, 3/1, 3/2, and 3/22. She reported the nursing hours were not reported to PBJ. On 7/16/25 at 11:13, the DON reported the facility does not have a PBJ policy.
Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Life-Threatening (Immediate Jeopardy)
J - Isolated K - Pattern L - Widespread
Actual Harm
G - Isolated H - Pattern I - Widespread
Potential for Harm
D - Isolated E - Pattern F - Widespread
No Harm (Minor)
A - Isolated B - Pattern C - Widespread

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

Strengths
  • • Grade B+ (83/100). Above average facility, better than most options in Iowa.
  • • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
  • • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most Iowa facilities.
  • • Only 1 deficiencies on record. Cleaner than most facilities. Minor issues only.
Concerns
  • • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
Bottom line: Generally positive indicators. Standard due diligence and a personal visit recommended.

About This Facility

What is Palo Alto County Hospital's CMS Rating?

CMS assigns Palo Alto County Hospital an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which is considered above average nationally. Within Iowa, 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 Palo Alto County Hospital Staffed?

CMS rates Palo Alto County Hospital's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 26%, compared to the Iowa average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.

What Have Inspectors Found at Palo Alto County Hospital?

State health inspectors documented 1 deficiencies at Palo Alto County Hospital during 2025. These included: 1 with potential for harm.

Who Owns and Operates Palo Alto County Hospital?

Palo Alto County Hospital is owned by a government entity. Government-operated facilities are typically run by state, county, or municipal agencies. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 22 certified beds and approximately 21 residents (about 95% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in Emmetsburg, Iowa.

How Does Palo Alto County Hospital Compare to Other Iowa Nursing Homes?

Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Iowa, Palo Alto County Hospital's overall rating (4 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (26%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.

What Should Families Ask When Visiting Palo Alto County Hospital?

Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "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?"

Is Palo Alto County Hospital Safe?

Based on CMS inspection data, Palo Alto County Hospital 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 4-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in Iowa. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.

Do Nurses at Palo Alto County Hospital Stick Around?

Staff at Palo Alto County Hospital tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 26%, the facility is 20 percentage points below the Iowa average of 46%. Low turnover is a positive sign. It means caregivers have time to learn each resident's needs, medications, and personal preferences. Consistent staff also notice subtle changes in a resident's condition more quickly. Registered Nurse turnover is also low at 17%, meaning experienced RNs are available to handle complex medical needs.

Was Palo Alto County Hospital Ever Fined?

Palo Alto County Hospital 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 Palo Alto County Hospital on Any Federal Watch List?

Palo Alto County Hospital 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.