available 24/7
partner
Iowa has three more nursing homes joining seven other Iowa nursing home facilities that have been on this list for four to 32 months.
The federal watch list refers to the government’s Special-Focus Facilities (SFF) list. Nursing homes on this list have received a one-star rating, the worst possible rating a facility can be given. Facilities placed on this list typically have a history of multiple serious violations and recurring quality-of-care issues.
The latest nursing homes from Iowa to be added to the SFF list includes :
New London is a 46-bed facility that is located in Henry County and was previously managed by Care Initiatives of West Des Moines. In 2021, this facility was fined $14,508. This facility was also cited for 18 federal violations, one of which was for failing to protect its residents from becoming victims of sexual abuse.
This 90-bed facility in Pleasant Hill was also managed by Care Initiatives. The federal government assessed $178,003 in fines against Parkridge. In the same year, Medicare suspended its payments to the facility. Parkridge was also cited last fall after the death of one of its residents. That resident had been complaining of chest pains, yet was made to wait for more than four hours before being assessed or sent for treatment. Although later transported to a nearby hospital emergency room, the resident died.
Arboreta Healthcare of Florida was the management company for this 44-bed facility. Rock Rapids was fined $216,869 in 2021. Medicare payments to the facility were also suspended, first in August 2020 and again in January 2021. Ten separate complaints against the facility were investigated and substantiated last November. However, following the investigation of those complaints, the facility was not fined or cited. The facility continued to be troubled throughout 2022, going through four different administrators and suffered severe staffing shortages. At one point, the head of maintenance, along with other non-medical employees, were asked to substitute as nurses’ aides.
The SFF list is managed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and gets updated every quarter. Once a facility is on this list, they are candidates waiting to be enrolled in a special government program. The purpose of this program is to encourage a facility to resolve issues and improve its quality of care. This list is capped, however, so even if a facility has a one-star rating, it will not immediately be enrolled in this program. In fact, a facility cannot be added to the SFF list until other facilities already in the program graduate and leave. The facilities selected are distinguished by their prior history of serious violations and quality of care issues. The list contains 88 facilities overall, with one to two slots per state.
Once a facility is on this list, they are part of a special program. The purpose of this program is to encourage a facility to resolve issues and improve its quality of care. This list is capped. so even if a facility has a one-star rating, it cannot be added to the SFF list until other facilities already in the program graduate and leave.
The process of being added to the SFF program can take four years or even longer. At any given time, Iowa has 10 facilities that have been identified as SFF-eligible.
In addition to these three latest facilities, there are seven other Iowa care homes on the list and still waiting to be enrolled in the program. These facilities include:
An article from the Iowa Capital Dispatch reports that to be selected as a candidate for the SFF program, a facility usually has twice the average number of violations. These violations are also of a more serious nature and established over a longer period of time.
If you suspect a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse or neglect, we urge you to seek immediate legal help. At PKSD, we have a team of highly trained attorneys ready to help you with your case. We have a proven history of getting results for our clients, having recovered millions in compensation on their behalf.
Contact our law offices today to request a meeting with an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer in Wisconsin at our firm. We currently accept cases in Wisconsin, New Mexico or Iowa.
Concerned about costs? There is no need. We charge nothing for an initial case review and there are also no upfront costs if you choose to hire our services.
PKSD. Experienced Lawyers. Fighting for You. 866-320-4770
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by attorney Jeffery A. Pitman, who has more than 28 years of legal experience and handled thousands of personal injury cases while obtaining millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements in Wisconsin.
Key Takeaways Wisconsin nursing home negligence claims may include compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other documented losses. Settlement value depends on...
Key Takeaways Elder abuse includes physical, emotional, sexual, and financial harm, as well as neglect of vulnerable older adults in care facilities. Medical records,...
Key Takeaways Wisconsin law requires nursing homes to administer medications and treatments exactly as ordered by an authorized prescriber. Not every deviation from a...
Milwaukee Office
Address
1110 N Doctor M.L.K. Jr Dr #320, Milwaukee, WI 53203 Get DirectionsPhone
414-333-3333About Us
PKSD is a Milwaukee personal injury law firm dedicated to helping injured individuals. We take a hands-on, client-focused approach and work closely with the people we represent from start to finish. We are committed to providing responsive service and strong legal advocacy when it matters most.
Areas We Serve
PKSD proudly serves clients throughout the state of Wisconsin. We represent individuals and families in Milwaukee, Madison, Green Bay, Appleton, Eau Claire, Wausau, and surrounding areas. No matter where you are located, our team is ready to help.
