Nursing HomeInspections

Buchanan County Health Center

Nursing home in Independence, IA

Medicaid-certified5★ overall (CMS)

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Public-record details

Address
1600 First Street East, Independence, IA 50644
Phone
(319) 334-6071
Listed under
Government-owned, 4–5 star overall rating
Medicare CCN
16E050
Overall star rating
5 of 5 ★★★★★
Health inspection rating
4 of 5
Staffing rating
5 of 5
Quality measures rating
2 of 5
Certified beds
39
Average residents per day
34
Ownership
Government, county
Legal business name
Legal Business Name Not Available
Certified for
Medicaid
First approved by Medicare/Medicaid
Oct 1, 1974
Changed ownership in last 12 months
No
Continuing care retirement community
No
Located inside a hospital
Yes
Resident or family council
Resident council
Sprinklers in all required areas
Yes

CMS certification number 16E050. Source: CMS Nursing Home Provider Information, Health Deficiencies and Penalties (record). Data as of 2026-11-07.

Inspection record

Most recent standard health inspection: Mar 19, 2026. CMS lists 12 health citations for this facility across its last three standard inspection cycles and complaint inspections (Jun 6, 2024 to Mar 19, 2026): 2 from complaint inspections, 1 at the “actual harm” level or higher, including 1 at “immediate jeopardy”.

InspectionCitationSeverity
Mar 19, 2026Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Infection Control		E
Potential for more than minimal harm, pattern
Mar 20, 2025Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning		B
Potential for minimal harm, pattern
Mar 20, 2025Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning		B
Potential for minimal harm, pattern
Mar 20, 2025Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Mar 20, 2025Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary		F
Potential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Nov 26, 2024Ensure that the facility has sufficient staff members who possess the competencies and skills to meet the behavioral health needs of residents.
Quality of Life and Care · complaint inspection		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Nov 26, 2024Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Quality of Life and Care · complaint inspection		J
Immediate jeopardy, isolated
Jun 6, 2024Assess the resident when there is a significant change in condition
Resident Assessment and Care Planning		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Jun 6, 2024Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Jun 6, 2024Provide 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.
Quality of Life and Care		D
Potential for more than minimal harm, isolated
Jun 6, 2024Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.
Nutrition and Dietary		F
Potential for more than minimal harm, widespread
Jun 6, 2024Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Nutrition and Dietary		F
Potential for more than minimal harm, widespread

Severity letters follow CMS's scope-and-severity grid: A–C potential for minimal harm, D–F potential for more than minimal harm, G–I actual harm, J–L immediate jeopardy. Most citations are corrected; a citation is what inspectors found on that date. Source: CMS Health Deficiencies file, processed Oct 1, 2026.

Fines and payment denials

CMS records 1 fine totalling $4,011 in the last three years.

Nov 26, 2024Fine: $4,011

Source: CMS Penalties file, processed Oct 1, 2026. Amounts are as CMS reports them and may reflect later reductions or appeals.

Staffing

Total nurse staffing per resident per day
4.30 hours
Registered nurse (RN) time per resident per day
1.22 hours
Nurse aide time per resident per day
2.79 hours
Total nurse staffing on weekends
3.61 hours
Nursing staff turnover (yearly)
24%
RN turnover (yearly)
13%

From payroll-based staffing data the facility submits to CMS. Hours are per resident per day.

A citation is what inspectors found on one date; most are corrected within weeks. Look for patterns — the same problem cited in several inspections — and for anything at the G–L level (actual harm or immediate jeopardy). The full inspection narrative (Form CMS-2567) is linked from Medicare Care Compare, and your state long-term care ombudsman can tell you about complaints.

Other nursing homes in Independence

Rehabilitation Centers of Independence West Campus1610 Third Street NE · Independence, IA 50644 · (319) 334-6039 · For-profit15 health citations in 3 inspection cycles · last standard inspection Dec 11, 2025 · $22,740 in CMS fines (3 yrs)Medicare & Medicaid certified3★ overall (CMS)

All 2 in Independence →

Public record, not an endorsement. This listing was compiled from public records as of 2026-11-07 and may be incomplete or out of date. Nursing Home Inspections does not vet, employ, recommend or guarantee nursing homes; a badge reflects only what the public record showed on that date. Confirm current details with the official record before you decide. The information on Nursing Home Inspections is not medical advice and does not replace a doctor, nurse, discharge planner or other qualified professional. Do not use it to make decisions about diagnosis or treatment. If you have a medical emergency, call 911. Full disclaimer · Report an error