MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services
Inspected within the last 6 months. Data reflects current conditions.
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services has an impressive Trust Grade of A+, indicating that it is an elite facility and among the very best in its category. It ranks #48 out of 392 nursing homes in Iowa, placing it in the top half statewide, and is #1 of 6 in Cerro Gordo County, meaning it outperforms all local competitors. The facility is new, with no prior inspection records, showcasing a clean slate with no identified issues or deficiencies. Staffing is a strong point, with a 5/5 star rating and a low turnover rate of 15%, significantly below the Iowa average, suggesting that staff are stable and familiar with the residents' needs. Additionally, there have been no fines reported, and the facility boasts more RN coverage than any other nursing home in Iowa, ensuring high-quality care and oversight.
- Trust Score
- A+
- In Iowa
- #48/392
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Too New
- Staff Stability ✓ Good
- 15% annual turnover. Excellent stability, 33 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 285 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
- No deficiencies on record. Exceptional compliance history. Very rare.
The Good
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5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Low Staff Turnover (15%) · 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 (15%)
33 points below Iowa average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, staff retention, fire safety.
The Bad
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 0 deficiencies on record
Clean Inspection Record
This facility has zero deficiencies on record - the average nursing home has 7. Only 1% of facilities nationally achieve a completely clean inspection record.
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 A+ (95/100). 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.
- • No deficiencies on record. Exceptional compliance history. Very rare.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much 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 Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services Staffed?
CMS rates MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 15%, compared to the Iowa average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services?
Based on CMS data, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services has no deficiency citations on record during the current review period. This is relatively uncommon - most facilities receive at least some citations during routine inspections.
Who Owns and Operates Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services?
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility is operated by TRINITY HEALTH, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 22 certified beds and approximately 13 residents (about 59% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in MASON CITY, Iowa.
How Does Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services Compare to Other Iowa Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in Iowa, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.1, staff turnover (15%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (5 stars) is much above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services?
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 Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services 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 5-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 Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services Stick Around?
Staff at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services tend to stick around. With a turnover rate of 15%, the facility is 30 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 12%, meaning experienced RNs are available to handle complex medical needs.
Was Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services Ever Fined?
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services 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 Mercyone North Iowa Medical Services on Any Federal Watch List?
MercyOne North Iowa Medical Services 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.