The home failed to submit complete and accurate staffing information based on verifiable records. Cited July 2025 — widespread issue, potential for harm.
View the original federal record
F-Tag 851 — 42 CFR §483.70 — S/S: F
Nursing home report
Palo Alto County Hospital
Emmetsburg, IA · Medicare-certified · 22 beds
In good standing
Government-run
4 of 5 overall
4 out of 5 stars overall. Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, IA has 4-star health inspection and staffing ratings, a 3-star quality measures rating, reported nurse staffing below the federal benchmark (3.16 vs 4.1 hours per resident per day), no fines in the last 24 months, and a recent citation related to submitting complete and accurate direct care staffing information.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
3.1614 hrs/resident/day
Quality measures
Last inspection: July 17, 2025Penalties, last 24 months: $0
Federal guidance recommends at least 4.1 nursing hours per resident each day. This facility reports 3.1614.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 1.26
- Licensed practical nurses
- 0.26
- Nurse aides
- 1.64
- Weekend nursing
- 2.46
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 28%
Registered nurse turnover: 33%
Resident outcomes
Each measure compares a year ago with the most recent quarter. Green means the facility moved the right way; red means the wrong way.
Negative outcomes
Lower is better — fewer affected residents. A decrease is good (green); an increase is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents on antipsychotic medication
—6.2%—
Residents with a fall causing major injury
9.1%0%Improving
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
0%0%No change
Residents with a urinary tract infection
4.5%0%Improving
Residents who lost too much weight
—2.8%—
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
—17.6%—
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
—19.7%—
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
—18.1%—
Residents with a long-term catheter
4.2%0%Improving
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
9.9%22.7%Worsening
Residents with depressive symptoms
0%0%No change
Positive outcomes
Higher is better — e.g. vaccinations. An increase is good (green); a decrease is concerning (red).
Long-stay residents given the seasonal flu vaccine
—95.7%—
Long-stay residents given the pneumonia vaccine
100%100%No change
What the inspectors found
Recent history
- STAFFING
Reported nurse staffing was below the federal recommendation of 4.1 hours per resident per day.
- INSPECTION
Health inspection found 1 health deficiency.
See what inspectors found
Operator & ownership
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Occupancy
- 21.8 residents on an average day (99% of 22 beds)
- Resident voice
- Resident council
- Medicare history
- Certified for 40 years
Things at a nursing home change — inspections, staffing, ownership, news.
Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services — public records, updated monthly. GoodStanding presents official records with plain-language summaries. Always visit a facility in person.