Iowa Nursing Homes Under Fire for Bed Bugs, Abuse, and Unexplained Injuries

Several state-licensed nursing homes in Iowa are facing significant fines and scrutiny following recent inspections that revealed a range of violations, including bed bugs, resident abuse, unexplained injuries, and medication errors. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) has been actively investigating these facilities, leading to numerous citations and penalties.

Key Takeaways

• Multiple Iowa nursing homes have been cited for serious violations, including bed bugs, abuse, and unexplained injuries.
• The Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation Center received one of the largest fines, amounting to $6,250, for inadequate response to a resident’s bed bug-related health issues.
• Other facilities have been fined for issues ranging from medication errors to failure to report abuse.

Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation Center

The Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation Center was fined $6,250 for failing to adequately address a resident’s health issues caused by bed bugs. A female resident complained of itching skin and a rash, which were confirmed as bug bites. Despite the severity of the issue, the facility delayed treatment and failed to document the problem in the resident’s clinical record. The facility is owned by the Ensign Group Inc., a California-based company.

Other Cited Facilities

• Lantern Park Specialty Care, Coralville: Fined $500 for failing to investigate and report resident abuse related to missing narcotics.
• The Penn Center, Delhi: Fined $500 for inadequate response to a resident’s worsening respiratory issues.
• Bettendorf Health Care Center: Initially fined $7,000 for failing to intervene when a resident’s condition deteriorated, but the fine was later suspended.
• Bedford Specialty Care: Fined $500 for failing to report potential abuse by a male resident who made sexual advances toward female residents.
• The Gardens of Cedar Rapids: Fined $500 for failing to complete background checks on a certified nurse aide before employment.
• Opportunity Living, Rockwell City: Fined $500 for failing to promptly identify and respond to a potential sexual assault.
• Chariton Specialty Care: Fined $500 for failing to report an allegation of abuse to the state.
• REM-Dalewood Drive, Marion: Fined $2,000 for medication errors.

Parkview Manor in Wellman

Parkview Manor was cited for 24 state and federal regulatory violations, including medication errors, failure to prevent and report resident abuse, and inadequate treatment of bed sores. The facility was also linked to a resident’s death due to a fall and subsequent lack of medical attention. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing proposed $35,750 in fines, which are currently suspended pending federal review.

Aspire of Washington

Aspire of Washington was fined $500 for failing to report alleged sexual abuse in a timely manner. A male resident claimed to have engaged in sexual activities with a certified nursing assistant, but the facility delayed reporting the incident to the state. The home was also cited for inadequate quality of care, medication errors, and insufficient staffing.

Happy Siesta Health Care Center

Happy Siesta Health Care Center faces a $27,000 fine for a serious, repeat safety violation. A resident was injured when his wheelchair tipped over in a facility van, leading to severe neck pain and broken vertebrae. The activities director responsible for the incident was fired.

Grundy Care Center

Grundy Care Center has a history of staffing issues and resident abuse. The facility’s interim director of nursing resigned due to intolerable working conditions, including excessively long shifts. The home has the lowest possible rating for overall care, inspection results, and staffing levels. It was fined $25,970 by the federal government for various violations, including failure to protect residents from abuse.

Conclusion

The recent citations and fines highlight ongoing issues in Iowa’s nursing homes, ranging from inadequate care and abuse to severe staffing shortages. These violations underscore the need for stricter oversight and improved standards to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.

Sources

• Iowa nursing homes cited for bed bugs, abuse, unexplained injuries • Iowa Capital Dispatch, Iowa Capital Dispatch.
• Nursing home in eastern Iowa cited for death, physical abuse, The Des Moines Register.
• Five Iowa care facilities cited for abuse-related violations • Iowa Capital Dispatch, Iowa Capital Dispatch.
• Iowa care facilities cited for resident abuse, lack of safe environment • Iowa Capital Dispatch, Iowa Capital Dispatch.
• Care facility where nurse quit over staffing issues has history of abuse • Iowa Capital Dispatch, Iowa Capital Dispatch.

Free Information

• Nolo.Com
• Justia.Com
• Nursing Home Alerts
• Nursinghomeabusecenter.com
• NursingHomeAbuseGuide.Com