Nursing home oversight: What you should know
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Tell state officials to fund nursing home oversight
Write, call or email DIA director Rod Roberts and Gov. Terry Branstad to tell them Iowans want adequate oversight of nursing homes and assisted living centers in Iowa. That includes enough state inspectors to do the job.
ROD ROBERTS
Address: Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-7102
E-mail: Webmaster@dia.iowa.gov
GOV. TERRY BRANSTAD
Address: 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-5211
E-mail: Send a message to the governor's office at https://governor.iowa.gov/contact
ROD ROBERTS
Address: Lucas State Office Building, 321 E. 12th Street, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-7102
E-mail: Webmaster@dia.iowa.gov
GOV. TERRY BRANSTAD
Address: 1007 East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Phone: 515-281-5211
E-mail: Send a message to the governor's office at https://governor.iowa.gov/contact
Who is Rod Roberts?
When Gov. Terry Branstad took office, he replaced Dean Lerner, the former director of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, with Rod Roberts.
Roberts had worked as a development director with Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Iowa. He was elected to the Iowa House in 2000, but didn't seek re-election when he ran for governor in 2010. During his campaign, he described himself as a fiscal and social conservative who wanted to create a friendly business climate in this state.
Roberts had worked as a development director with Christian Churches/Churches of Christ in Iowa. He was elected to the Iowa House in 2000, but didn't seek re-election when he ran for governor in 2010. During his campaign, he described himself as a fiscal and social conservative who wanted to create a friendly business climate in this state.
Of course, the goal to be business-friendly is not the proper goal for the director of DIA. That is the agency responsible for oversight of hospitals, casinos, hotels and restaurants. It's also charged with protecting vulnerable people living in businesses that include nursing homes.
— Register editorial staff
— Register editorial staff
Nursing homes vs. assisted living centers
Iowa has more than 300 assisted living centers. According to the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, Iowans residing in them are "chronically ill but stable" elderly people who require some assistance. The state responds to complaints and conducts inspections every two years, but the homes are not subject to federal oversight.
There are more than 440 nursing homes in Iowa with residents who have more serious medical problems. These Iowans are chronically ill and "require 24/7 nursing services," according to the state. The homes are considered medical facilities and must adhere to rigorous federal guidelines. They are required to have a nurse on site at all times and a physician overseeing care. Inspectors respond to complaints and inspect homes every year.
There are more than 440 nursing homes in Iowa with residents who have more serious medical problems. These Iowans are chronically ill and "require 24/7 nursing services," according to the state. The homes are considered medical facilities and must adhere to rigorous federal guidelines. They are required to have a nurse on site at all times and a physician overseeing care. Inspectors respond to complaints and inspect homes every year.
Nursing home inspections aren't simple or quick
When considering whether 28 state nursing home inspectors is enough to oversee 440 homes, understand what oversight entails. In addition to responding to hundreds of complaints each year, regulators must conduct time-consuming and tedious inspections.
The federal government has more than 150 regulatory standards for homes to meet - and it contracts with states, including Iowa, to make sure homes are in compliance.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an "inspection team" looks at many aspects of a home during a visit. They observe care, staff interaction with residents and the environment. Workers interview residents, family members of residents, caregivers and administrative staff. Inspectors also review clinical records. A team consists of trained inspectors, including one registered nurse. Also, fire safety specialists evaluate homes to ensure they meet safety standards. The preparatory work for an inspection - and the visit itself - can take more than a week.
The federal government has more than 150 regulatory standards for homes to meet - and it contracts with states, including Iowa, to make sure homes are in compliance.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, an "inspection team" looks at many aspects of a home during a visit. They observe care, staff interaction with residents and the environment. Workers interview residents, family members of residents, caregivers and administrative staff. Inspectors also review clinical records. A team consists of trained inspectors, including one registered nurse. Also, fire safety specialists evaluate homes to ensure they meet safety standards. The preparatory work for an inspection - and the visit itself - can take more than a week.
Remember Ruth Louden
Most nursing homes work to provide good care. Yet over the years this newspaper has published numerous stories about Iowans in nursing homes who have been the victims of horrific abuse and neglect. These stories remind us of the importance of state regulators being able to do their jobs.
One woman lawmakers should remember as they're making budgetary and regulatory decisions: Ruth Louden.
The 89-year old Iowan lived alone, drove on her own and traveled - before she broke her leg. That landed her at a nursing home in Grinnell called Friendship Manor in 2008 to recover. After weeks of what Louden described as "excruciating" pain, a physical therapist noticed her leg smelled like "rotting meat." Blood was seeping through the stocking. The home took her to the emergency room.
One woman lawmakers should remember as they're making budgetary and regulatory decisions: Ruth Louden.
The 89-year old Iowan lived alone, drove on her own and traveled - before she broke her leg. That landed her at a nursing home in Grinnell called Friendship Manor in 2008 to recover. After weeks of what Louden described as "excruciating" pain, a physical therapist noticed her leg smelled like "rotting meat." Blood was seeping through the stocking. The home took her to the emergency room.
Doctors reported the wound dressing applied four weeks earlier appeared untouched, as if it hadn't been changed. The leg had to be amputated. Louden died a few months later.
The home was fined more than $100,000. After appeals, it paid about $75,000 in 2010. The owner insisted he was wronged by the state and the head lobbyist for the industry said the fines amounted to "flogging."
The truth: The state penalized wrongdoing that cost an Iowa woman her life. That is what regulators are supposed to do.
The home was fined more than $100,000. After appeals, it paid about $75,000 in 2010. The owner insisted he was wronged by the state and the head lobbyist for the industry said the fines amounted to "flogging."
The truth: The state penalized wrongdoing that cost an Iowa woman her life. That is what regulators are supposed to do.
