Buchanan County Health Center
1600 First Street East · Independence, IA · 50644 · 3193346071
39 certified beds Government - County Hospital-based
- Staffing hours comfortably above national benchmarks.
- Inspection results have improved across recent cycles.
Red flags
1 immediate-jeopardy citation in prior inspection cycles
Serious past findings — check whether the underlying problems were fixed and stayed fixed.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 5 of 5 Inspections: 4 of 5 Staffing: 5 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 4.45 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 1.17 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.60 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 29% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | 1 · $4,011 |
Inspection citations (12 in the current record)
-
Potential for harm · E March 19, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected March 20, 2026 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D March 20, 2025
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected March 31, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
Potential for harm · F March 20, 2025
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected March 31, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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No harm found · B March 20, 2025
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Corrected March 31, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
-
No harm found · B March 20, 2025
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected March 31, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Immediate jeopardy · J November 26, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Corrected October 31, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D November 26, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
Corrected December 27, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D June 6, 2024
Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Corrected July 5, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D June 6, 2024
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected July 5, 2024 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D June 6, 2024
Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.
Corrected July 5, 2024 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · F June 6, 2024
Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Corrected July 5, 2024 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · F June 6, 2024
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected July 5, 2024 · Nutrition and Dietary
Federal penalties
| Date | Type | Amount / length |
|---|---|---|
| November 26, 2024 | Fine | $4,011 |
Better-scoring options nearby
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 16E050 · certified since October 1, 1974. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.