Good Samaritan Society - Algona
Meets baseline Medicare standards with room for improvement. A tour and talking to current residents' families is the best next step.
based on 14 Google reviews
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What this means for your family
While the facility has a history of providing compassionate care and excellent support for family communication, the most recent report raises serious concerns about nutritional standards and the quality of physical therapy. We recommend that you tour the facility during meal times and specifically ask to speak with the therapy department head to ensure their current standards meet your loved one's needs.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
14 reviews on Google“Good Samaritan Society - Algona has historically received praise for its compassionate staff and well-maintained environment, particularly from families of long-term residents. However, a recent, highly critical review highlights severe concerns regarding the quality of food and the effectiveness of the physical therapy department. Families should weigh the facility's history of positive, supportive care against these recent reports of poor nutrition and inadequate rehabilitation services.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Compassionate and supportive staff
- Clean and well-kept facility
- Willingness to assist with remote communication
Concerns
- Poor food quality and nutritional concerns
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 15 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1I noticed that the facility has a strong reputation for compassionate care; how do you ensure that same level of support is maintained across all shifts?
- 2We understand that nutrition is a key part of well-being; could you walk us through how you manage meal planning and how you incorporate resident feedback into the dining experience?
- 3With a capacity of 72 residents, how does your team balance the need for personalized attention with the daily activity schedule?
- 4Given the recent focus on staffing and health inspections, what specific steps is the leadership team taking to improve these areas and ensure high-quality care for residents?
- 5In the event of a medical emergency or a sudden change in health, what is your protocol for communicating with family members and coordinating with local medical providers?
- 6It is great to see that the facility has been proactive in helping families stay connected remotely; how do you integrate these communication tools into the daily lives of residents who may be less tech-savvy?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The staff is always more than willing to help. Thank you Good Sam Algona for you compassionate care.”
“Very caring staff and clean and well-kept facility.”
“The food so vile that they needed outside family members to bring in additional food just to stay alive.”
Staffing
Staffing Hours
per resident/day · Medicare 2026Both RN and total nursing hours are below national benchmarks. This can mean less clinical attention per resident, so ask about their staffing plan.
Quality Measures
Quality Measures
Resident outcomes compared with national, state, and local averages · 17 measures
7
measures
8
measures
2
measures
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for the flu
Short-stay residents vaccinated for pneumonia
Short-stay residents newly given antipsychotics
US average from Medicare published data
Inspection History
Medicare Inspection History
3-year lookback · Medicare 2026
Families have filed complaints resulting in deficiencies related to abuse protection and pressure ulcer care, with pressure ulcer issues recurring across multiple surveys from 2023 to 2025. The facility shows patterns of problems in resident safety, care planning, medication management, and fire safety systems. While all deficiencies have correction dates, the persistence of pressure ulcer and safety concerns across recent years suggests ongoing quality challenges families should carefully evaluate.
Dec 4, 2025Routine3
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
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.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Oct 22, 2025Complaint1
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Nov 21, 2024Routine3
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Nov 21, 2024Complaint3
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.
Dec 4, 2023Routine31
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate pressure ulcer care and prevent new ulcers from developing.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Smoke Deficiencies
Provide properly protected cooking facilities.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly provide smoke detection systems in areas open to corridors.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Provide enough nursing staff every day to meet the needs of every resident; and have a licensed nurse in charge on each shift.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures for flu and pneumonia vaccinations.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Educate residents and staff on COVID-19 vaccination, offer the COVID-19 vaccine to eligible residents and staff after education, and properly document each resident and staff member's vaccination status.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies
Develop and implement policies and procedures to prevent abuse, neglect, and theft.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Develop 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 Deficiencies
Develop 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 Deficiencies
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Provide pharmaceutical services to meet the needs of each resident and employ or obtain the services of a licensed pharmacist.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Implement gradual dose reductions(GDR) and non-pharmacological interventions, unless contraindicated, prior to initiating or instead of continuing psychotropic medication; and PRN orders for psychotropic medications are only used when the medication is necessary and PRN use is limited.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure that residents are assessed for appropriateness for a feeding assistant program, receive services as per their plan of care, and feeding assistants are trained and supervised.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Egress Deficiencies
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.
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.
Smoke Deficiencies
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Oct 22, 2025
$7,070
Payment Denial
Dec 4, 2023
12-day denial
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Good Samaritan Society - Algona
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Good Samaritan Society
92 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 46 of 88
Ownership & Management
Owners
Sanford
Owner · Organization
The Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society
Owner (parent company) · Organization
Key personnel
Contact
Get in Touch
Contact this facility directly and verify the details that matter most to your family.
References & Resources
Medicare Care Compare
Official Medicare quality ratings, inspections & staffing data
Google Maps
Photos, directions & neighborhood info
Google Reviews
14 reviews from families & visitors
Official Website
Visit good-sam.com
Medicare data downloads
Original nursing home datasets
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