Iowa Assisted Living Facility Slapped with Thousands in Fines
Oak Park Place is an assisted living facility located in Dubuque, Iowa. The facility has come under fire from the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals recently following citations for insufficiencies concerning the care of its 42 residents, many of whom have serious health issues.
Recent inspections found several instances of failure to evaluate, deliver and follow up on resident care, problems with proper distribution of medications, and staffing issues. Some of the staffing issues involved not having appropriately trained nursing staff on duty. Inspectors also found evidence of records falsification "to the good of the administration".
One of the concerns involved an 84 year old resident with multiple medical problems, including Diabetes and coronary artery disease. A physician was to have been called if the resident's blood sugar level rose above 450 mg or below 60 mg. In September 2008, the resident's blood sugar rose above 450 mg at least eight times. There was evidence in the resident's chart that the physician was contacted sometimes, but not always. The facility failed to follow the physician's order.
Following a March 2008 inspection, the facility received its first fine in the amount of $2,500. The facility failed to make necessary corrections by July 2008 and was slapped with an additional $4,000 fine and a conditional certificate. A conditional certificate is a step below a license revocation. Recently, the facility was hit with a $10,000 civil penalty and the conditional certificate was continued until the program was in compliance or until August 25, 2009. If the facility fails to be in compliance by that date, it can lose its license. The facility can lose its license prior to that date if more violations are uncovered. In addition to the conditional certificate, the facility is not allowed any new admissions until the restriction or conditional certificate is removed. The facility is also required to submit monthly updates on medication reviews and nurse delegation training forms, and life safety training forms. In the past eighteen months, the facility has received twelve conditional certificates.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please call us at 1 (888) 317-2525 or visit us at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
