The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently updated its Special-Focus Facilities list, identifying nursing homes across the nation that repeatedly fail to meet federal quality standards.
Among the new additions are four Iowa nursing homes: Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville, Aspire of Perry, Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center, and Harvest Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Keota.
These facilities have now been placed under increased scrutiny due to ongoing care deficiencies, raising concerns about the state of long-term care in Iowa.
Background on Special-Focus Facilities
The Special-Focus Facilities program was created to track nursing homes with chronic issues related to patient care and safety. Nursing homes that are designated as Special-Focus Facilities are subject to heightened inspection frequency and are required to take corrective actions to address the deficiencies.
The program aims to improve the quality of care provided to residents by holding these facilities accountable.
Being added to this list is a significant step, as it often involves penalties, such as the denial of payment for new admissions, and can impact a facility’s reputation and funding.
With the federal government’s increased attention, these homes are expected to undergo extensive improvements to meet the necessary health and safety standards.
Newly Added Iowa Nursing Homes
Four Iowa nursing homes have now joined the ranks of facilities that have previously been flagged for their consistent failure to meet federal standards. These include:
Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville
Accura Healthcare of Pleasantville, a 46-bed facility, has been cited for serious issues over the past few years. Most recently, the facility was hit with three denials for payment for new admissions starting in April 2023, following multiple violations.
Inspectors found 36 state and federal violations, with infection control being one of the major issues, particularly during a COVID-19 outbreak that resulted in further penalties. In addition to the $8,000 fine for the mishandling of the outbreak, the facility was slapped with a $203,060 fine after a resident died due to a fall that was inadequately addressed by staff. These ongoing concerns have led to its inclusion in the Special-Focus Facilities program.
Aspire of Perry
Aspire of Perry, a facility located in central Iowa, was added to the list due to multiple care deficiencies that were not adequately addressed by management.
While specific citations are not as readily available, the facility has struggled with issues that include staffing shortages and failure to meet basic care standards, leading federal regulators to place it on the Special-Focus list. The addition of Aspire of Perry highlights a concerning trend of facilities unable to maintain consistent quality care.
Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center
Clarion Wellness and Rehabilitation Center, located in the heart of Iowa, has now been included in the Special-Focus Facilities list. This decision comes after a series of inspections identified deficiencies in care delivery and overall management.
The facility’s addition to the list underscores the challenges facing many nursing homes in the state, as they attempt to balance care needs with the limitations imposed by staffing and resources.
Harvest Acres Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Keota
Harvest Acres in Keota has been flagged for quality issues, which include failures in managing resident safety and staff performance. Like many of the other facilities added to the list, Harvest Acres has experienced difficulty maintaining proper care due to staff shortages and other operational challenges.
As part of the Special-Focus Facilities program, the center will now be required to take significant steps to improve care standards and meet the criteria necessary for safe, effective service.
Iowa Nursing Homes Under Scrutiny
These four facilities now join several others that have been under the microscope for extended periods. Among Iowa’s nursing homes with special focus status are:
- Arbor Court in Mount Pleasant
- Aspire of Gowrie
- Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah
- Greater Southside Health and Rehabilitation in Des Moines
- Harmony West in West Des Moines
- The Ivy in Davenport
- Pine Acres Rehabilitation and Care Center in West Des Moines
- Via of Des Moines
The common thread among these facilities is a pattern of repeated violations and the inability to make sustained improvements, which often leads to escalated oversight from both state and federal authorities.
Staffing Shortages and Facility Closures in Iowa
One of the most critical challenges facing Iowa nursing homes is a severe shortage of healthcare workers. Nearly 42% of Iowa nursing homes report staffing deficiencies, contributing to the rise in care violations and increasing the overall strain on residents and staff.
This issue is not unique to Iowa, but the state has been particularly impacted by these shortages, which have led to the closure of several facilities over the past few years.
In fact, since 2020, the state has seen a notable increase in nursing home closures, mainly due to staffing shortages. This reduction in available care options has left many Iowans struggling to find suitable long-term care for their loved ones, further stressing the need for reforms.
Impact on the Long-Term Care System
The inclusion of these four Iowa nursing homes on the Special-Focus Facilities list is a significant reminder of the ongoing struggles within the state’s long-term care system.
Despite efforts to address these challenges, nursing homes continue to struggle with meeting the needs of their residents. The impact is twofold: residents suffer from substandard care, and families are left without options for quality care facilities.
The Need for Reform
Addressing the issues in Iowa’s nursing homes will require a comprehensive approach. The state must consider implementing stronger regulatory oversight and policies to address the root causes of care deficiencies. Among the potential solutions are:
- Increasing staffing levels: To meet the growing demand for quality care, Iowa must address its staffing shortages through better recruitment and retention strategies.
- Enforcing stricter accountability measures: Holding facilities accountable through fines and other penalties may encourage them to improve care practices.
- Expanding funding: Investing more resources into Iowa’s nursing home industry can help improve facility standards and overall patient care.
Conclusion
The addition of four Iowa nursing homes to the Special-Focus Facilities list highlights the continuing challenges facing the state’s long-term care system. These facilities must now undergo significant changes to address their deficiencies and improve the care they provide.
While federal oversight and penalties play a critical role in encouraging improvements, more must be done at the state level to support nursing homes and ensure residents receive the care they deserve.
For more details on the latest updates regarding Iowa nursing homes, visit Iowa Capital Dispatch.
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