(Des Moines, Iowa) –  Several state-licensed nursing homes are facing fines due to recent findings of bed bugs, resident abuse, unexplained broken bones and medication errors. The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports the violations are tied to recent facility inspections performed by the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing, which oversees health care facilities in Iowa. One of the largest fines, for $6,250, was imposed against the Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation Center for failing to adequately respond to a resident’s health issues caused by bed bugs. The Fort Dodge facility is owned by the Ensign Group Inc., a California-based holding company whose affiliates operate more than 290 nursing homes in 13 states.

Among the other Iowa care facilities cited recently for violations, was Bedford Specialty Care, which was was fined $500 for failing to report the potential abuse of two female residents by a male resident who had made sexual advances toward them. One of the potential victims told inspectors the man came into her room and on one occasion in November 2023 and tried to kiss her and later returned, sat on her bed and told they could close the door so one would know what was going on. She said the man continued to make advances toward her after she reported the incidents to the administrator.

The home’s director nursing reportedly told inspectors she wasn’t made aware of the incidents until a separate issue arose with the male resident, at which point the man was closely supervised and then discharged. As part of the same resident-abuse citation and $500 fine, state inspectors noted the home had also failed to adequately investigate the cause of a resident’s broken leg in February 2024.

Opportunity Living, in Rockwell City, cares facility for people with intellectual disabilities was fined $500 for placing residents in immediate jeopardy by failing to promptly identify and respond to a potential sexual assault. The violation is tied to an October 2023 incident in which a female resident was found to be bleeding from her vaginal area after being given a bath by a male employee. At a local hospital, the woman was diagnosed with a vaginal laceration and, according to inspectors, a facility nurse at the hospital the texted the home to report that the injury appeared to the result of a sexual assault. According to inspectors, a police officer was notified of the possible assault and the subsequent suspension of an employee. On Feb. 21, 2024, the officer informed inspectors no criminal charges would be filed in the case.

At the time of the inspection, state officials had a backlog of three complaints to investigate at the home, none of which were substantiated.