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
Data as of July 1, 2026
4 of 5 overall
Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, IA has an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with 4-star ratings for health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. It has had no fines in the last 24 months, but reported nurse staffing is 3.07 hours per resident per day, below the federal benchmark of 4.1.
Facility ratings
Health inspections
Staffing
3.0687 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 3.0687.
Staffing detail
- Registered nurses
- 1.36
- Licensed practical nurses
- 0.13
- Nurse aides
- 1.57
- Weekend nursing
- 2.30
Hours per resident per day.
Total staff turnover: 18%
Registered nurse turnover: 14%
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
—6.1%—
Residents with a fall causing major injury
9.5%0%Improving
Residents with pressure ulcers (bedsores)
6.5%0%Improving
Residents with a urinary tract infection
0%0%No change
Residents who lost too much weight
—1.4%—
Residents who were physically restrained
0%0%No change
Residents needing more help with daily activities
—23.5%—
Residents whose ability to walk got worse
—17.9%—
Long-stay residents on antianxiety or sleep medication
—18.1%—
Residents with a long-term catheter
0%0%No change
Residents with new or worsening incontinence
9.7%9%Improving
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.