Palo Alto County Hospital
Emmetsburg, Iowa · CCN 16E668
12 surveys since 2010. The first finding at harm level was recorded in 2016.
Data as of , released by CMS on October 8, 2026. Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog.
- Citations on record
- 53
- Surveys
- 12
- Harm or worse
- 1
- Immediate jeopardy
- 1
Findings at the most serious level CMS records.
Older surveys no longer in CMS’s monthly file or on Care Compare. They are shown here.
The facility
- Certified beds
- 22
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Chain
- Independent
- County
- Palo Alto · rural
- Medicare-certified since
- 1986
CMS ratings
- Overall
- 4
- Health inspection
- 4
- Staffing
- 4
- Quality measures
- 4
CMS’s own Five-Star ratings.
Compared with similar facilities
Not shown for this facility: too few citations in window (n=1, floor 20).
Last survey on record
Jul 17, 2025
480 days ago.
Counts surveys with at least one finding. A clean survey leaves no record here, so the real gap may be shorter.
Staffing
| Measure | This facility | Peer median |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse hours per resident day | 3.07 | 4.26 |
| Registered-nurse hours per resident day | 1.36 | — |
| Annual nurse turnover | 17.6% | 30.0% |
As reported by the facility to CMS, beside the peer-group median.
Enforcement
No fines, payment denials or special-focus designation on the current CMS record.
Severity of recent findings
| Severity | Isolated | Pattern | Widespread |
|---|---|---|---|
| Immediate jeopardy | J— | K— | L— |
| Actual harm | G— | H— | I— |
| No harm, potential for more than minimal | D— | E— | F1100.0% |
| No harm, potential for minimal | A— | B— | C— |
In the surveyor’s words
From the most serious findings on record at Palo Alto County Hospital, in the surveyor’s own words.
- No harm, potential for more than minimal, widespreadF851Jul 17, 2025
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. […]
Read 20 findings in full →The most serious and the most recent: 20 of 53 on record.
Every survey on record
FindingsAt actual harm or above
- Jul 17, 2025Standard1 finding
- Oct 31, 2019Standard5 findings
- Aug 9, 2018Standard2 findings
- May 11, 2017Standard8 findings
- Nov 22, 2016Complaint1 finding · 1 harm
- Apr 7, 2016Standard6 findings
- May 20, 2015Standard4 findings
- Feb 27, 2014—6 findings
Show the 4 earlier surveys
- Jan 10, 2013—6 findings
- Feb 28, 2012—1 finding
- Dec 16, 2011—7 findings
- Nov 5, 2010—6 findings
Surveys that found no deficiencies are not in CMS’s files and do not appear here.
Comparable facilities
The nearest facilities to this one in the same peer group, by weighted findings.
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