Good Samaritan Society - Indianola
Below-average Medicare ratings — review the inspection history and ask the administrator about recent corrections before visiting.
based on 14 Google reviews
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Quality Concerns Identified
Medicare inspection and quality data reveal areas that families should carefully evaluate before choosing this facility.
- Abuse citation on record
- Low overall rating (1/5 stars)
- Low staffing rating (2/5 stars)
- Above-median deficiencies (13 vs median 5)
- High RN turnover (71%)
Bottom 25% in IA · Below recommended RN staffing · Worst in GOOD SAMARITAN SOCIETY chain · $20,316 in fines · Abuse citation
What this means for your family
This facility has a dedicated team that provides compassionate care, particularly in physical therapy and end-of-life support. However, because some families have reported concerns regarding hygiene and the frequency of personal care checks, we recommend you ask specifically about their staffing ratios and the process for monitoring resident hygiene needs.
Google Reviews
Google Reviews
14 reviews on Google“Good Samaritan Society - Indianola presents a polarized experience, with some families praising the compassionate, heart-centered care provided by staff, while others report significant concerns regarding hygiene and basic care standards. While recent reviews highlight effective physical therapy and attentive staff, past reports of neglect and substandard conditions suggest a need for thorough vetting. Families should be aware that experiences appear to vary significantly based on the specific unit and staffing levels at the time.”
Quality Themes
Tap a score for detailsStrengths
- Compassionate and dedicated nursing staff
- Effective physical therapy services
- Helpful and responsive administrative communication
- Strong support for end-of-life care
Concerns
- Inadequate personal hygiene care for residents (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
- Staffing shortages impacting resident care (mentioned by 2 reviewers)
Rating Trends
Tap a year to see what changed
Distribution · 14 analyzed
How They Respond to Reviews
This facility rarely responds to reviews.
Questions for Your Tour
- 1With the current staffing levels, how do you ensure that each resident receives consistent and timely assistance with personal hygiene and daily grooming?
- 2I noticed the facility has had some recent health inspection challenges; what specific steps is the leadership team taking to improve these quality metrics and ensure resident safety?
- 3Could you walk me through your process for monitoring resident health and how you communicate with families during medical emergencies or sudden changes in condition?
- 4I see that you have a dedicated physical therapy team; how do you integrate these services into a resident's daily routine to ensure they stay active and mobile?
- 5Regarding the facility's cleanliness, what is your daily schedule for housekeeping and room maintenance to ensure a comfortable living environment for residents?
- 6I noticed the administrative team is active in responding to feedback; how do you incorporate family input into your daily operations to improve the overall resident experience?
Personalized based on this facility's data
Key Review Excerpts
“The staff was very friendly and attentive. The food was good and very nutritional. Physical therapy staff was very patient and worked with the husband the best they could due to his dementia and Parkinson's.”
“The staff, from the housekeeping, dietary, front office, to the CNAS, RNs & social workers have been simply incredible. My family and I will be eternally grateful for your compassion, love & professionalism that was given to her.”
“After several months we chose to move dad to another facility due to a severe lack of person hygiene care. Not acceptable !! And substandard living conditions.”
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
2
measures
10
measures
5
measures
Residents needing more daily help over time
Residents whose walking got worse
Residents on antipsychotic medication
Residents with depression symptoms
Highly dependent on how each facility screens and codes depressive symptoms, so it varies widely between facilities.
Residents whose bladder or bowel control got worse
Residents on anti-anxiety or sleep medication
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
Serious concerns arise from multiple family complaints triggering inspections, with 27 of 63 deficiencies stemming from reported issues. Recurring problems include nursing staffing shortages appearing across multiple surveys, medication management errors, and infection control failures. While the facility has corrected most violations, the pattern of repeated staffing and care quality issues, including recent uncorrected deficiencies, suggests ongoing challenges that families should carefully consider.
Jan 14, 2026Complaint2
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.
Administration Deficiencies
Have a plan that describes the process for conducting QAPI and QAA activities.
Jul 29, 2025Complaint4
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Pharmacy Service Deficiencies
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Apr 24, 2025Routine8
Smoke Deficiencies
Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke.
Services Deficiencies
Ensure heating and ventilation systems that have been properly installed according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Provide a written emergency evacuation plan.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Meet requirements for the use and maintenance of medical gas equipment.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
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.
Infection Control Deficiencies
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Apr 24, 2025Complaint4
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.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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.
Jan 30, 2025Complaint4
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.
Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies
Have a registered nurse on duty 8 hours a day; and select a registered nurse to be the director of nurses on a full time basis.
Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
Jun 18, 2024Routine19
Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies
Conduct testing and exercise requirements.
Egress Deficiencies
Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.
Egress Deficiencies
Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs.
Smoke Deficiencies
Have approved installation, maintenance and testing program for fire alarm systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the fire alarm was out of service for more than 4 hours.
Smoke Deficiencies
Follow proper procedures when the automatic sprinkler systems was out of service for more than 10 hours.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords.
Resident Rights Deficiencies
Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.
Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies
Coordinate assessments with the pre-admission screening and resident review program; and referring for services as needed.
Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
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
Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems.
Smoke Deficiencies
Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes.
Smoke Deficiencies
Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke.
Miscellaneous Deficiencies
Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed.
Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies
Have proper medical gas storage and administration areas.
Federal Penalties
Fine
Apr 24, 2025
$12,438
Fine
Jan 10, 2024
$7,878
Ownership & Operations
Who Operates This Facility
Good Samaritan Society - Indianola
nonprofit
Chain Affiliation
Good Samaritan Society
92 facilities nationwide
Chain avg rating: 3.0/5 · Rank 73 of 88 (Worst)
Ownership & Management
Owners
Sanford
Owner · 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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