Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
Palo Alto County Hospital
Emmetsburg, IA · 22 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey July 17, 2025
CMS Certification Number 16E668 · first certified February 1986
Ownership
Independently operated (no chain recorded by CMS) · Government - County
No change of ownership on CMS record since January 1, 2016, when the records begin.
Position within IA
6 citations — more than 16% of the 387 certified nursing homes in IA. Compared within IA rather than nationally because which state a facility is in explains about 30% of the variation in citation counts between facilities, while bed count explains under 1%. State survey agencies differ far more than the buildings do. How this is calculated
The latest survey found 2 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 2. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
Well past the typical window (June 2026 to August 2026), and past the point by which nine in ten IA facilities have been surveyed. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was July 2025. Facilities in IA are typically surveyed 11–13 months after the last one (median 12), measured over 700 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records.
A range the record supports, not a prediction of a date. State agencies vary widely — from about 11 months in Pennsylvania to three years in Maryland. How the window is measured
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2 inspection-and-testing tags have been cited here at more than one survey. Nationally, that pattern is common: about three quarters of cited facilities have at least one repeated tag, and half of the facilities ever cited for sprinkler inspection and testing are cited for it again. A repeat is usually a recordkeeping gap rather than a new hazard.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in IA, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the IA figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 6 |
| Median facility in IA | 12 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| December 7, 2023 | 2 |
| August 29, 2024 | 2 |
| July 17, 2025 | 2 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | 2 | 2025-07-17 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 2 | 2025-07-17 |
| K-0354 | Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours. | 1 | 2023-12-07 |
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | 1 | 2024-08-29 |
What the citations cover
- Miscellaneous Deficiencies 2
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 2
- Egress Deficiencies 1
- Smoke Deficiencies 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 2 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 2 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 1 |
| Smoke Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
July 17, 2025 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 22, 2025) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (July 22, 2025) |
August 29, 2024 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (October 5, 2024) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (September 12, 2024) |
December 7, 2023 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0354 | Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (December 19, 2023) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (January 8, 2024) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.