(Des Moines) The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing has disputed a recent report by State Auditor Rob Sand. Sand claimed the state is lagging in nursing home inspections. The Department asserts that it conducts timely inspections, meeting the federal requirements. The agency criticized the audit as misleading, citing outdated data and a lack of communication. The Department noted that 99 percent of Iowa’s nursing homes comply with inspection timelines. They anticipate completing the remaining one percent by the end of September.
Sand stated that nursing home inspections exceed federal requirements. Nursing homes are inspected every 17 months when the requirement is every 12 months. State Auditor Rob Sand also criticizes Iowa’s low licensed nursing staff per resident rank and the high staff turnover.
