Life-safety issue found at Aspire

LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE

One deficiency was a life-safety issue, which required the facility to implement their emergency plan and safely relocate their 16 residents to other health facilities. The facility has informed DIAL that all the family members of the affected residents have been notified about the relocation of their loved ones.”

DONNELLSON - A state official said surveyors from the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing are on site for an investigation  at Aspire Senior Center in Donnellson
Stefanie Bond, Communications Director for DIAL, said surveyors are completing a recertification and complaint investigation at the facility at 901 State Street.
She said when the survey is complete, the department will complete a report that outlines the findings and post it to the Health Facility link on the department's  Health Facilities website. 
"Surveyors were onsite for this investigation on the evening of Aug. 27 when deficiencies were identified," Bond wrote in an email to Pen City Current.
"One deficiency was a life-safety issue, which required the facility to implement their emergency plan and safely relocate their 16 residents to other health facilities. The facility has informed DIAL that all the family members of the affected residents have been notified about the relocation of their loved ones."
Bond said the department cannot release any details regarding the investigation until the report is finalized, which they anticipate will be next week.
DIAL officials were on hand Tuesday night overseeing the transfer of the 16 patients at about 8:30 p.m.
 Donnellson Police Chief Brad Roberts confirmed the closure and transfer of patients, but directed all questions to the DIAL officials.
Attemps to reach Aspire Administrator Talisa Jacobs have gone unreturned.
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 Florida went unaswered.