Aspire licenses terminated

DONNELLSON – Aspire of Donnellson had its license suspended on Aug. 30 in the wake of an emergency transfer of residents from the facility on Aug. 27.
On Friday, the facility was informed that its agreement with the Centers of Medicare & Medicaid services was also being terminated effective Monday, Sept. 9, essentially shuttering the skilled nursing facility at 901 State Street.
According to an email sent to Pen City Current Friday from Diana McCool, Communications Specialist with the Administration Division of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing, residents of Aspire were removed from the facility effective Aug. 28, as DIAL found during a survey that the health or safety of residents of the facility required action on an emergency basis, in accordance with Iowa Code sections 135C.10 and 135C.11(2).
“DIAL then proceeded with the notice of suspension. The suspension was effective upon the service of the notice. DIAL contacted the long-term care ombudsman prior to the residents’ removal from the facility in accordance with Iowa code.”
McCool wrote the department has the authority to deny, suspend, or revoke a license in any case where the agency finds that there has been repeated failures on the part of the facility to comply with the provisions of Iowa Code Chapter 135, specifically in this case, the inability or failure to operate and conduct the health care facility in accordance with the code requirements.
A report that outlines the findings of DIAL’s survey is on its Health Facilities website. The facility has been fined $15,750 for violating codes that govern health care supervision, and medication treatment in 2024.
A 158-page report filed on Feb. 20, 2024 by DIAL officials indicated inconsistencies in physicians preferred by at least one resident. Officials on site found the facility had determined who would be seeing the resident as the resident's primary care provider, which is in violation of state code. Code mandates that residents be allowed the primary care physician of their choice and that was not honored.
A citation report, including an $8,700 fine issued on March 7 of this year, indicated health care workers failed to administer CPR on two different occasions. One of the residents died on Jan. 18, 2024 and the other died on Jan. 29. Both had prior cardiac episodes at the facility. The report shows inconsistencies in procedures and reports from different staff at the facility after being questioned by state officials on a visit to the facility in February.
Residents who were at the facility prior to the closure may continue to received covered services for care received at the facility for up to 30 days under state and federal participation agreements.
Aspire is owned by Beacon Health Management. Beacon is based out of Tampa, Fla., and has 26 properties throughout Iowa and Georgia.
Calls to Beacon's office in Florida have gone unreturned.