Palo Alto County Hospital
3201 First Street, Emmetsburg, IA 50536
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 Palo Alto County Hospital, 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 Palo Alto County Hospital Compares
Palo Alto County Hospital is a 22-bed government-owned nursing facility in Emmetsburg, Iowa. It holds an overall CMS rating of 4 out of 5 stars, above the Iowa average of 3.1 stars. Its strongest area is health inspections, rated 4 stars. Its rate of long-stay antipsychotic medication use (6.2%) is below the Iowa average of 19.4%, a favorable sign for resident care. With 22 certified beds, it operates near capacity at roughly 99% occupied.
Among the 3 nursing facilities ElderVoice tracks in Emmetsburg, the local average is 2.7 stars.
By the numbers vs. Iowa average
- Long-stay antipsychotic medication use: 6.2% — better than the Iowa average of 19.4% (68% lower).
- Falls with major injury: 5.8% — worse than the Iowa average of 3.7% (56% higher).
- High-risk pressure ulcers: 1.6% — better than the Iowa average of 4.3% (63% lower).
Comparisons use CMS Care Compare data (updated June 5, 2026) measured against Iowa averages across 390 facilities tracked by ElderVoice.
Questions to Ask Palo Alto County Hospital
Use these facility-specific questions when calling admissions, touring the building, or comparing Palo Alto County Hospital with other nursing homes in Emmetsburg.
What keeps Palo Alto County Hospital'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 Palo Alto County Hospital keep long-stay antipsychotic medication use below the state average?
Long-stay antipsychotic medication use is 6.2% here versus 19.4% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
What is Palo Alto County Hospital doing to reduce falls with major injury?
Falls with major injury is 5.8% here versus 3.7% across Iowa. Lower is generally better for this CMS measure.
How does Palo Alto County Hospital maintain staffing when occupancy is high?
The facility reports roughly 99% occupancy across 22 certified beds, so ask how staffing is adjusted during full census periods.
How can a new family connect with existing councils at Palo Alto County Hospital?
Active resident or family councils can provide useful context about daily life, responsiveness, and recurring concerns.
What explains Palo Alto County Hospital's rating advantage in Emmetsburg?
Its 4-star overall rating is above the local average of 2.7 stars across 3 facilities. Ask which practices families can observe during a tour.
The Senior Community Around Emmetsburg
Emmetsburg sits in Palo Alto County, where adults 65 and older make up about 21.8% of the population — a higher share of seniors than Iowa as a whole (17.1% statewide). The area's median household income is consistent with state averages.
- Residents 65+
- 1,948 (21.8%)
- Median age
- 42.5 years
- Median household income
- $56,437
- Median home value
- $107,300
Demographics for Palo Alto County from the U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-year estimates. Provided as local context for families comparing care options near Emmetsburg.
Facility Details
Other Facilities in Emmetsburg
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