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Company seeks to block lawsuit over death, citing arbitration agreement

A wrongful death lawsuit against Fonda Specialty Care nursing home, stemming from Marvin Jacobs’ suffocation, may be dismissed due to an arbitration agreement signed by his family. The nurse involved, Becky Sue Manning, faced criminal charges for neglect. State inspections revealed failure to clear Jacobs’ airway prior to his death in February 2023. Continue reading Company seeks to block lawsuit over death, citing arbitration agreement

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‘This man is literally dying’: Photos of nursing home residents trigger $1,000 fine

A nursing home in Algona, Iowa, was fined $1,000 for unauthorized sharing of videos and photos of residents, including a derogatory caption. State inspectors found multiple violations related to resident privacy and care quality. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about privacy violations affecting vulnerable nursing home residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments. Continue reading ‘This man is literally dying’: Photos of nursing home residents trigger $1,000 fine

‘Next time I’ll give you a black eye:’ Homes cited for abuse, sexual exploitation

The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing found abuse at Good Samaritan Home in Holstein and Living Center West in Des Moines. The Living Center West failed to prevent the sexual exploitation of a resident, while the Good Samaritan Home’s video footage showed a CNA abusing a resident with dementia. Other nursing homes were also cited for abuse. Continue reading ‘Next time I’ll give you a black eye:’ Homes cited for abuse, sexual exploitation

Restaurant inspection update

State and city food inspectors have cited Iowa and South Dakota establishments for food safety violations, including dirty facilities, moldy equipment, and rodent infestations. Violations included mishandling food, lack of proper storage, and repeat violations. Inspectors noted issues such as staff using dirty sinks, soiled equipment, and improper food storage. Continue reading Restaurant inspection update

Iowa’s licensing boards shut off access to information on charges

Iowa’s licensing boards may now keep secret the alleged misconduct tied to charges of professional incompetence, ethical violations, patient abuse, and criminal convictions, restricting public access to information. Disclosure of charges against practitioners has been greatly limited since October 2021, following a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court to keep investigative information confidential until final rulings. This has led to inconsistencies in public disclosure by various licensing boards, prompting concerns about transparency and access to information. Continue reading Iowa’s licensing boards shut off access to information on charges

Restaurant inspection update: Meatloaf loafing above the pork, slimy lettuce, rodent feces – and other food safety violations

State and city food inspectors in Iowa and South Dakota have found various food safety violations in local restaurants and stores in recent weeks. Violations include insufficient refrigeration, improper food cooling, handling food with bare hands, and dirty facilities. The public is reminded that these reports are only a snapshot in time and that violations are often corrected on the spot. For more details, visit the respective state departments’ websites. Continue reading Restaurant inspection update: Meatloaf loafing above the pork, slimy lettuce, rodent feces – and other food safety violations

Iowa care facilities cited for resident abuse, lack of safe environment

Summary:
Multiple Iowa nursing homes are facing fines for resident abuse and safety violations. The Happy Siesta Health Care Center in Remsen was fined for a serious safety violation, while other facilities were cited for neglect and abuse. The state is taking enforcement action to ensure the safety and well-being of nursing home residents. Continue reading Iowa care facilities cited for resident abuse, lack of safe environment

Restaurant inspection update for April: Undated food, dirty carts, bare hands

State, city and county food inspectors have cited Iowa and South Dakota restaurants and stores for hundreds of food-safety violations in recent weeks, including unsourced beef, lack of food thermometers, unclean equipment, handling food with bare hands, repeat violations and dirty kitchens.

The findings are reported by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which handles food-establishment inspections at the state level. South Dakota food establishment inspections are handled by the South Dakota Department of Health. Listed below are some of the findings that stem from inspections at Siouxland restaurants and convenience stores over the past four weeks or so.

Continue reading Restaurant inspection update for April: Undated food, dirty carts, bare hands

State-certified caregiver charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

A state-certified caregiver has been arrested and charged with sexually exploiting a minor while employed by an Iowa nursing home.

The most recent case, and the only one in which criminal charges have been filed, involves Guider’s employment at the Pleasantview Home in Kalona.

Over the past 12 months, Martell Guider, a 36-year-old male certified nursing assistant, has been the subject of complaints regarding a series of alleged incidents involving sexual impropriety at three Iowa nursing homes located in Audubon, Correctionville and Kalona. Continue reading State-certified caregiver charged with sexual exploitation of a minor

Nurse criminally charged in death of care facility resident

A nurse who allegedly failed to suction the airway of a U.S. Army veteran in an Iowa nursing home has been criminally charged in the man’s death.

Becky Sue Manning, 69, of Lake View, is charged with felony wanton neglect of a healthcare facility resident. According to prosecutors, Manning, a licensed practical nurse, refused repeated requests to provide physician-ordered care for a resident of the Fonda Specialty Care nursing home while working there in 2023 as an employee of the GrapeTree Medical Staffing temp agency.

In its written response to DIA’s findings, the facility’s owners, Care Initiatives of West Des Moines, said it does not admit to any statements, findings or conclusions by the state inspectors Continue reading Nurse criminally charged in death of care facility resident