Patients & Visitors

Welcome to Palo Alto County Health System.

We are able to provide services for all aspects of your life and are pleased to be trusted with that responsibility. All of our Lifecare Teams are committed to delivering an excellent care experience for you during your time with us whether it be in our Family Practice Clinics, Surgery Department, Emergency Room, Radiology, Laboratory, PARC Hall or in Willow Ridge. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priority.

Please check out the information below as you prepare for your stay with us. If you are unable to find the information you are looking for, please contact us at 712.852.5500, and our operator will direct your call to a PACHS team member that can best assist you.

At PACHS it is more than Healthcare that we provide... It's about your "Lifecare."

Business Office

  • Business Office Hours

    Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

  • Patient Admitting Hours

    Available 24 hours / 7 days per week

  • Location

    Private registrations rooms for both clinic and hospital services are located at the main entrance of PACHS.

  • Assisted Transportation

    Car or wheelchair van available for appointments in Palo Alto County.

  • Tobacco Free Campus

    Smoking inside and outside on any hospital grounds is not allowed.

Patients

We are honored to be caring for you and are committed to making your experience with us the best it can be. You can expect that your caregivers will:

We want every aspect of your experience with us to be as positive as possible so please do not hesitate to let us know how we can better serve you.

Thank you again for choosing Palo Alto County Hospital for your health care needs.

HealtheLife Patient Portal

Our HealtheLife patient portal gives you easy, online access 24 hours a day to portions of your hospital medical records and test results. HealtheLife is free to use, simple to sign up for and completely secure. Only you and your care team at the hospital will have access to your private health information.

To sign up for the HealtheLife Patient Portal, you will need to receive an invitation. Please ask to receive an invitation at your next visit or appointment.

More information on HealtheLife Patient Portal.

For electronic records for hospital services prior to September 14, 2015, please sign in here.

What type of apps can I link my health record to?

The applications listed below are already connected to our health records. Please check back here as applications are added regularly.

  • MyLinks
  • Apple Health Records
  • CommonHealth
  • OneRecord
  • TidyHealth (This app does require the patient to download their health record and import into TidyHealth)

These mobile apps give you the ability to view some of your medical records (or someone else’s records, where you have proxy rights) on a smartphone or tablet.

Note: this form is only for requesting a connection from your health record to link to a 3rd party application that is not listed. Any request otherwise (i.e., record request or issues accessing portal) will not receive a response.

How do I connect my medical record to an app?

To access your record through one of theses apps (or someone else’s where you have proxy rights) you must first create a patient portal account. 

Medical Records

The Health Information Management Department at Palo Alto County Health System is staffed from 8:00 am-4:30 pm Monday – Friday. Patients may also leave a message at 712.852.5445.

Access the Patient Portal for Health Information

Request Records to be Sent to Third Party

Request Records to be Sent to Third Party

The Health Information Management Department of Palo Alto County Health System is happy to assist patients in arranging for a copy of their health records to be sent to insurance companies, Workers Compensation carriers, disability agencies, attorneys, etc. Federal and state law requires a more detailed authorization for this type of disclosure.

To request a copy of your health information/records to be sent to a third party, please download, print, and complete the form at the bottom of this page and mail or fax it to:

Health Information Management Department
Palo Alto County Health System
3201 1st Street
Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Fax:
712.852.5436

Authorization Form:
Download (EN)
Download (ES)

There may be a charge for these copies.

Request a Copy of Health Records for Personal Use

Request a Copy of Health Records for Personal Use

The Health Information Management Department of Palo Alto County Health System retains patient health records for as long as the patient is active. Patient records that are inactive after a period of eleven years are destroyed in a confidential manner. In 2015 Palo Alto County Health System transitioned to electronic health records. Paper records have been maintained on active patients and are stored at a secure storage facility in Des Moines, obtaining copies of these records may take a little longer.

Another option for fast access to your health information is to sign up for the Patient Portal. Your laboratory and diagnostic imaging results are posted to the Patient Portal.

Learn more about signing up and getting help with the Patient Portal.

To request a copy of your health information/records for personal use, please download, print, and complete the form at the bottom of this page and mail or fax to:

Health Information Management Department
Palo Alto County Health System
3201 1st Street
Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Fax
712.852.5436

Authorization Form

Download (EN)
Download (ES)

Request a Copy of Health Records to be Sent to Another Doctor, Clinic or Hospital

Request a Copy of Health Records to be Sent to Another Doctor, Clinic or Hospital

The Health Information Management Department of Palo Alto County Health System is happy to facilitate continuation of care by transferring health records to other healthcare providers.

To request a copy of your health information/records to be sent to another healthcare provider for continuing patient care, please download, print, and complete the form at the bottom of this page and mail or fax it to:

Health Information Management Department
Palo Alto County Health System
3201 1st Street
Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Fax
712.852.5436

Authorization Form
Download (EN)
Download (ES)

There is no charge for transferring health information/records to another healthcare provider.

Request Records to be Sent to Your Palo Alto County Health System Provider

Request Records to be Sent to Your Palo Alto County Health System Provider

Your Palo Alto County Health System (PACHS) provider may benefit from having access to copies of your health records that were created by other healthcare facilities. If your PACHS provider has requested that you obtain copies of these records for your PACHS health record, you have two options for making this happen.

1. Contact the healthcare facility by phone and ask that a copy of your records be forwarded to:

Palo Alto County Health System
Attn: Health Information Management Department
3201 1st Street
Emmetsburg, IA 50536

Fax
712.852.5436

2. Download the PACHS authorization form and mail or fax it to the healthcare facility. Upon receipt of the authorization, the healthcare facility should forward the requested copies to your PACHS provider.

Authorization Form
Download

Assisted Transportation

Assisted transportation is available for scheduled appointments in Palo Alto County. Car or wheelchair van options are available.

For More Information or to Request Transportation Call 712.852.5419.

Hospital Facilities

Parking

The central front parking lot is reserved for the convenience of our patients and visitors. Wheelchairs are available at the front entrance. Please ask the front desk personnel if you need assistance with someone you are bringing to the hospital.

Meditation/Family Room

A meditation/family room is located next to the hospital cafeteria. This room is open to all visitors.

Gift Shop

The Auxiliary Gift Shop is located in the front main lobby. Items may be purchased inside the Gift Shop. For current hours, check the Gift Shop door or call registration at 712.852.5655.

Cafeteria

The Coffey Cafe is open to all PACHS visitors and is centrally located next to the PACHS Chapel east of the Surgery Department.

Lunch is served from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm each day.

Self Serve Breakfast items are available from 7:00 untill 11:00 am each day.

Sandwiches are available anytime throughout the afternoon or evening until 7:00 pm by making a request to the Nutrition Services staff. Please speak with your Inpatient or Emergency Room Nursing Team Member for helping ordering.

Vending machines and self-serve snacks are available 24 horus a day and are located just inside the Cafe to the left as you enter the cafe.

Billing & Insurance

Do you prefer e-statements? Pay your Palo Alto County Health System bill easily online at your convenience. 

Map & Directions

Find a list of where our provider offices are located near you.

Patient Portal

Palo Alto County Health System partners with HELP Financial to offer you a variety of bill payment options.

Health Information Management Department

  • Office Hours

    Monday - Friday 7:30 am - 4:00 pm

  • Assisted Transportation

    Car or wheelchair van available for appointments in Palo Alto County.

  • Tobacco Free Campus

    Smoking inside and outside on any hospital grounds is not allowed.

For Visitors

Visitor Guidelines

At Palo Alto County Health System, We Encourage Visits From Friends & Family.

Visits from relatives and close friends are an important element in a patient’s recovery, yet patient care is our primary concern. To keep the hospital comfortable and quiet for all patients, visitors are asked to observe the following regulations.

  • Please respect the wishes of the patient regarding the length of the visitation he or she would like.
  • Please do not visit any patient if you have an infectious illness such as a cold or the flu. Do not bring children who may be ill.
  • Children are welcome to visit patients if an adult accompanies them. We ask that you limit visitors and keep noise levels to a minimum in respect for other patients.
  • Visitors should respect the patient’s right to privacy by leaving the room during tests or treatments, or when the doctor or caregiver needs to see the patient.

Gifts For Patients

Visitors should check with the nurse before bringing gifts of food or drink to patients. Please check with the nurse to make sure your gift is appropriate. Palo Alto County Hospital does not allow latex balloons within the hospital.

Pastoral Care

We believe that total patient care includes attention to the spiritual, as well as the physical and emotional, needs of each patient.

Members of the clergy are welcome to visit patients at any time.
Patients or family members are encouraged to contact their clergy if they would like a visit.
If you need assistance in contacting a member of the clergy, please ask your nurse for assistance.

Clergy visiting the hospital may ask for a list of patients who are members of their church’s demonination at the hospital’s registration desk.

A meditation room for prayer and quiet reflection is located next to the Coffey Cafe.

Visiting Hours

Medical/Surgical

Visiting hours are open. A family member will be allowed to stay with the patient, day or night, if the patient’s condition warrants constant attention.

Pediatric patients may have a family member with them at all times.

Hospice

Family & Friends May Visit A Hospice Patient At Any Time.

Obstetrical

Fathers or support person

Fathers Or Support Person Are Welcome To Stay Anytime.

Family

Grandparents & Immediate Family Visiting Hours Are 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Friends

Friends & Other Visitors Are Welcome 11:00 am – 7:00 pm.

Proud to be a

Tobacco Free Campus

Palo Alto County Hospital is a Tobacco Free facility and campus. Smoking inside and outside on any hospital grounds is not allowed. If you have smoking related concerns, please speak with your provider or nurse.

Want to quit smoking? Help is just a phone call away.

  • TDD Quit Line

    1-866-822-2857

  • Website

    quitlineiowa.org

  • 24/7 Support

    Expert Quit Coaches & Registration Specialists are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

If you feel you are an immediate threat to yourself or others (violent, threatening violence, suicidal) - call 911 or 988 to speak with someone.