States › Iowa › Palo Alto County
Nursing homes in Palo Alto County, Iowa
There are 5 certified nursing homes in Palo Alto County, Iowa, with 214 beds between them.
20% of them are rated 1 or 2 stars overall, a smaller share than the state (38%). Inspectors recorded 74 health deficiencies over three cycles, 34.6 per 100 beds against 31.7 statewide.
Fines in the period covered total $26K across 1 fine.
Ratings are based on the most recent data available; a facility's ratings may have changed since the last update. The health inspection rating is based on the three most recent standard surveys and complaint investigations. Data processed by CMS on 1 Aug 2026.
| Measure | Palo Alto County | Iowa | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facilities | 5 | 387 | 14690 |
| Rated 1–2 stars overall | 20% | 38% | 41% |
| Median overall rating | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Citations per 100 beds (3 cycles) | 34.6 | 31.7 | 26.8 |
| Median nurse hours per resident day | 3.3 | 3.7 | 3.7 |
| Fines listed | $26K | $7.5M | $457M |
Facilities
| Facility | City | Beds | Overall | Health | Staffing | Citations | Per 100 beds | Fines | Last survey |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Alto County Hospital | Emmetsburg | 22 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4.5 | — | 17 Jul 2025 |
| Ruthven Community Care Center | Ruthven | 46 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 6 | 13.0 | — | 2 Oct 2025 |
| West Bend Health and Rehabilitation | West Bend | 45 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 51.1 | — | 1 May 2025 |
| Lakeside Lutheran Home | Emmetsburg | 55 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 22 | 40.0 | — | 26 Feb 2026 |
| Emmetsburg Care Center | Emmetsburg | 46 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 22 | 47.8 | $26K | 11 May 2026 |
Sorted by overall rating. "Citations" are health deficiencies over three survey cycles; "per 100 beds" divides by certified beds.
Most-cited tags in the county
| Tag | Requirement | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| F0658 | Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality. | 6 |
| F0677 | Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable. | 5 |
| F0880 | Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program. | 5 |
| F0760 | Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors. | 4 |
| F0656 | Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured. | 4 |
Ownership
| Type | Facilities |
|---|---|
| For profit | 2 |
| Non profit | 2 |
| Government | 1 |
Chains present: Legacy Healthcare (1), The Ensign Group (1).
Questions and answers
How many nursing homes are in Palo Alto County, Iowa?
5 Medicare-certified nursing homes with 214 certified beds.
Which nursing homes in Palo Alto County have the highest CMS ratings?
Palo Alto County Hospital (4 stars), Ruthven Community Care Center (4 stars), West Bend Health and Rehabilitation (4 stars)
How do Palo Alto County nursing homes compare with Iowa?
20% are rated 1–2 stars overall against 38% statewide; citations run at 34.6 per 100 beds against 31.7 statewide.