Buchanan County Health Center
1600 First Street East, Independence, IA 50644
Based on 2026 CMS Data
Official Government Ratings
Health Inspections
Frequency & severity of deficiencies
Staffing Levels
Nurse hours per resident per day
Quality Measures
Clinical outcomes & care quality
Resident Council Active
Active councils indicate resident empowerment and facility transparency.
Vetting This Facility? Get Answers They Don't Volunteer
Free guide: the exact questions to ask Buchanan County Health Center, how to pull the public records (ownership, inspections, penalties), and how to request the info that isn't online — like the medical director.
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Care Quality Indicators
Lower is better
Lower is better
Lower is better
How Buchanan County Health Center Compares
Buchanan County Health Center is a 39-bed government-owned nursing facility in Independence, Iowa. It holds an overall CMS rating of 5 out of 5 stars, above the Iowa average of 3.1 stars. Its strongest area is staffing, rated 5 stars. Its rate of falls resulting in major injury (8.1%) is above the Iowa average of 3.8% — a measure worth asking the staff about. With 39 certified beds, it maintains moderate occupancy at roughly 88% occupied.
Among the 2 nursing facilities ElderVoice tracks in Independence, 1 hold a 5-star rating and the local average is 4.0 stars.
By the numbers vs. Iowa average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 16.0% — better than the Iowa average of 19.5%.
- Falls with major injury: 8.1% — worse than the Iowa average of 3.8% (110% higher).
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 2.6% — better than the Iowa average of 4.2% (37% lower).
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated September 9, 2026) measured against Iowa averages across 387 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask Buchanan County Health Center
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing Buchanan County Health Center with other nursing homes in Independence.
What keeps Buchanan County Health Center's health inspections rating strong?
This category is rated 4 out of 5 stars. Ask for concrete staffing, training, or care-process examples behind the score.
What practices help Buchanan County Health Center keep long-stay antipsychotic medication use below the state average?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 16.0% here versus 19.5% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What is Buchanan County Health Center doing to reduce falls with major injury?
Falls with major injury is 8.1% here versus 3.8% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at Buchanan County Health Center?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
What explains Buchanan County Health Center's rating advantage in Independence?
Its 5-star overall rating is above the local average of 4.0 stars across 2 facilities. Ask which practices families can observe during a tour.
What would the first 30 days look like for a new resident at Buchanan County Health Center?
Ask who builds the care plan, how medication changes are communicated, how often families receive updates, and who to call after hours.
The Senior Community Around Independence
Independence sits in Buchanan County, where adults 65 and older make up about 18.0% of the population — a share of seniors in line with Iowa as a whole (17.1% statewide). The area's median household income is consistent with state averages.
- Residents 65+
- 3,805 (18.0%)
- Median age
- 39.0 years
- Median household income
- $67,252
- Median home value
- $143,200
Demographics for Buchanan County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Independence.
Facility Details
Other Facilities in Independence
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