Palo Alto County Hospital
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
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+
- In Iowa
- #137/392
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Too New
- 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.
The Good
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4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
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4-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Low Staff Turnover (26%) · Staff stability means consistent care
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
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No fines on record
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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...
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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+ (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.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
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.