Overview
Palo Alto County Hospital has a Medicare overall rating of 5 out of 5, above the Iowa average of 3.1. Among the 3 nursing homes in Emmetsburg, it ranks first. Its strongest area is quality of care (5 of 5), and its weakest is health inspections (4 of 5).
Residents receive about 2.7 hours of nursing care per day, fewer than at 100% of nursing homes in Iowa (the state average is 3.9 hours). Of that, 1.5 hours come from registered nurses.
Its most recent standard inspection, on July 17, 2025, found 1 health deficiency, fewer than the Iowa average of 6.5. It has no fines on record for the past three years, while 37% of Iowa nursing homes have been fined.
Palo Alto County Hospital is a government-run facility with 22 certified beds, caring for about 22 residents on an average day. It accepts Medicaid and has participated since 1986. It is located inside a hospital.
Medicare ratings
- Health inspections
- Quality of care
- Staffing
Source: Medicare Care Compare, data as of October 1, 2026.
How it compares nearby
Ranked by Medicare overall rating, then quality, inspection and staffing ratings.
Top 34%
Top 5%
Top 8%
Family reviews
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Inspections and penalties
- Most recent standard inspection
- July 17, 2025
- Health deficiencies cited
- 1
- Complaint-related deficiencies
- 0
- Fines in the last 3 years
- 0
- Payment denials
- 0
- Total penalties
- 0
Staffing
Average hours of care each resident receives per day.
- All nursing staff2.75 hrs
- Registered nurses (RN)1.45 hrs
- Licensed practical nurses (LPN)0.00 hrs
- Nurse aides1.30 hrs
- Physical therapists0.00 hrs
Facility details
- Ownership
- Government - County
- Certified beds
- 22
- Average residents per day
- 22
- Participates in
- Medicaid
- Medicare/Medicaid since
- February 5, 1986
- Inside a hospital
- Yes
- Continuing care retirement community
- No
- Changed ownership in last 12 months
- No
- Resident or family council
- Resident
- Sprinklers in all required areas
- Yes