Inspection Reports for Bickford of West Des Moines

The inspection was conducted to investigate complaints numbered 129980-C and 130554-C at the assisted living facility.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of the complaints.

Investigation of Complaints 129980-C and 130554-C found no regulatory insufficiencies.

Investigation of complaints numbered 127855-C, 128455-C, and 128653-C at the assisted living facility.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of the complaints.

Investigation of Complaints 127855-C, 128455-C, and 128653-C found no regulatory insufficiencies.

The inspection was conducted as a recertification visit to determine compliance with certification of an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during complaint investigations, but one regulatory insufficiency was cited during the recertification visit related to the program retaining a tenant who routinely required two staff to assist with transfers.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigations of Complaints #121111-C and #121112-C.

The inspection was conducted to investigate Incident 110612-I and Complaints #113474-C, 111027-C, and 110601-C at the assisted living facility.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of the incident and complaints.

Investigation of Incident 110612-I and Complaints #113474-C, 111027-C, 110601-C found no regulatory insufficiencies.

The inspection was conducted to investigate Complaints #105218-C and 107992-C and to conduct a recertification visit to determine compliance with certification of an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

The Program failed to consistently perform criminal history and background checks prior to employment, failed to ensure all personnel including contract/agency staff were appropriately trained, and failed to ensure staff received eight hours of dementia-specific training annually. These deficiencies potentially affected all 20 tenants.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaint #108093-C. Deficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaints #105218-C and 107992-C.

The document is a plan of correction related to investigations of incidents and complaints at the assisted living facility.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigations of Incident #98855-I or Complaints #98402-C, #98848-C, #101334-C, and #103167-C.

Recertification visit conducted to determine compliance with certification of an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the recertification visit, infection control survey, or investigation of incidents. However, deficiencies were found related to dependent adult abuse training, record checks, criteria for admission/retention of tenants, and dementia-specific education for personnel.

The inspection was conducted as an investigation of Complaint #93587-C regarding regulatory insufficiencies in the Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

The program failed to follow policies and procedures related to communicable disease preparedness, screening of tenants and staff, and enforcement of mask-wearing and social distancing. Several staff failed to properly screen for COVID-19 symptoms, and tenant screenings were not consistently documented.

Complaint #93587-C was investigated and regulatory insufficiencies were cited related to program policies and procedures for incident reports and communicable disease preparedness.

The inspection was conducted as part of an investigation of Complaint 89775-C regarding the retention of tenants who exceeded the level of care.

The program failed to ensure tenants who exceeded the level of care were discharged, specifically Tenant #1 who required routine two-person assistance with transfers and toileting but was retained. Observations and interviews confirmed staff did not routinely transfer Tenant #1 during meals and that the tenant required maximal assistance with all transfers and daily activities.

Investigation of Complaint 89775-C found the program retained a tenant (Tenant #1) who required routine two-person assistance with transfers and toileting, exceeding the level of care allowed.

The inspection was conducted to evaluate compliance with life safety-emergency policies and structural safety requirements, specifically focusing on the operating alarm system connected to each exit door in a dementia-specific program.

The facility failed to consistently ensure operating alarm systems were attached and functional on each exit door, resulting in a tenant exiting the building without staff knowledge. The door alarm system was found to be malfunctioning due to a pager system error and lack of maintenance after the responsible maintenance man quit.

The inspection was conducted as a recertification to determine compliance with certification for an Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia (ALP/D).

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the recertification inspection for the Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia.

Investigation of Incident #80585-I at the assisted living program for people with dementia.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation.

Investigation of Incident #80585-I; no regulatory insufficiencies found.

Investigation of Complaint #76682-C regarding the Assisted Living Program for People with Dementia at Bickford Cottage West Des Moines.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the complaint investigation. The census included 28 tenants without cognitive disorder and 2 with cognitive disorder in the general population, and 7 tenants with cognitive disorder in the memory care unit.

Complaint #76682-C was investigated and found to have no regulatory insufficiencies.

The revisit of investigations #71462-I and #72020-I was conducted to verify correction of previously cited regulatory insufficiencies. Additionally, an investigation of Complaint #73076-C was conducted.

Previously cited regulatory insufficiencies were found to be corrected. No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaint #73076-C.

Complaint #73076-C was investigated and no regulatory insufficiencies were found.

The inspection was conducted as an investigation of complaints/incidents #71462-I and #72020-I related to tenant rights and elopement behavior at Bickford Cottage West Des Moines.

The program failed to consistently provide adequate and appropriate care to prevent elopement behavior, affecting one tenant. The tenant left the facility unnoticed due to malfunctioning or improperly monitored HomeFree watch and door alarm systems.

The complaint investigation was substantiated, involving incidents where Tenant #1, a 75-year-old with cognitive decline, left the facility without proper alarm activation or staff awareness. The HomeFree watch and door alarm system were found to be malfunctioning or inadequately monitored.

The inspection was conducted as a recertification visit to determine compliance with certification for an Assisted Living Program.

Two regulatory insufficiencies were cited: failure to ensure completion of appropriate background checks prior to employment for 1 employee, and failure to provide eight hours of dementia-specific training within 30 days of employment for 2 out of 6 employees reviewed.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of Complaint #67401-C.

Investigation of Incident #63019-I and Complaint #64100-C at Bickford Cottage West Des Moines Assisted Living Program.

No regulatory insufficiencies were cited during the investigation of the incident and complaint.

Investigation of Incident #63019-I and Complaint #64100-C found no regulatory insufficiencies.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following a complaint identified as Incident #58882-I, focusing on tenant documents and service plans.

The investigation found regulatory insufficiencies related to tenant documents and service plans, specifically the program's failure to maintain documentation of routine personal care tasks for a tenant unable to advocate for themselves and the service plan not meeting the identified needs of that tenant.

The complaint investigation was substantiated with findings of regulatory insufficiencies in tenant documents and service plans related to Tenant #1, an 85-year-old resident with dementia who experienced multiple falls and a fractured hip, ultimately passing away during the investigation period.

The visit was conducted as a Final Recertification Monitoring Evaluation to determine compliance with certification for an Assisted Living Program.

No regulatory insufficiencies were found during this evaluation. The review of recertification documents was completed and accepted, including the State Fire Marshal's inspection and Facility Engineer's approval of evacuation plans.

The visit was a Final Recertification Monitoring Evaluation conducted to review the Plan of Correction and assess compliance with regulatory requirements for the Assisted Living Program at Bickford Cottage West Des Moines.

The report found regulatory insufficiencies related to tenant care, including failure to exclude tenants requiring maximal assistance with activities of daily living and failure to develop individualized service plans reflecting tenant needs. The Plan of Correction was accepted by the Department of Inspections and Appeals.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following an allegation that the program moved a tenant out of his/her apartment and the tenant was sleeping in the lobby all day.

The investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. Tenant #3, who had dementia and other health issues, was moved to a different apartment to better meet care needs, with staff and family involvement. No violations were noted.

The complaint alleged that a tenant was moved out of his/her apartment and was sleeping in the lobby all day. The investigation found this was not substantiated and no regulatory insufficiencies were identified.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following a report of a cognitively impaired tenant who fell, resulting in major injury.

The investigation found no regulatory insufficiencies. The program had incidents of multiple falls among tenants with cognitive impairments, but no violations were identified that met the criteria for regulatory insufficiency.

The complaint alleged a cognitively impaired tenant fell resulting in major injury. The investigation reviewed incident reports and clinical records of tenants with multiple falls. Although some deviations from requirements were noted, no regulatory insufficiencies were substantiated.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following reports of tenant falls resulting in fractures and hospitalizations at Bickford Cottage WDM.

The investigation found that Tenant #1 and Tenant #2 each fell on separate occasions resulting in fractures requiring hospitalization. The program adequately addressed the falls and implemented appropriate interventions to decrease fall risk. No regulatory insufficiencies were identified.

Complaint/Incident Allegation involved Tenant #1 and Tenant #2 falling on separate occasions resulting in fractures requiring hospitalization. The program addressed the falls and interventions were in place to reduce fall risk. No regulatory insufficiencies were noted.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint/incident investigation following allegations that a tenant routinely refused personal care, touched staff inappropriately, made sexual comments to staff, and made suicidal statements.

The investigation reviewed tenant service plans and staff interviews, finding that the program did not establish interventions related to the tenant's refusal of care or sexual inappropriate behavior. A regulatory insufficiency was cited for failure to individualize the service plan to address tenant needs and preferences for assistance.

The complaint alleged a tenant routinely refused personal care, touched staff inappropriately, made sexual comments to staff, and made suicidal statements. Staff interviews confirmed suicidal ideation and refusal of care. The tenant was also identified as sexually inappropriate toward staff. The program failed to establish interventions related to these behaviors.

The visit was a Final Recertification Monitoring Evaluation conducted to review the Plan of Correction and ensure compliance with Iowa Code and Administrative Code for the assisted living program at Bickford Cottage.

The program did not receive any Regulatory Insufficiencies during the certification period; however, monitoring observations identified several regulatory insufficiencies related to occupancy agreements, medication administration, food service training, staffing documentation, and staff training. The Plan of Correction was accepted by the Department of Inspections and Appeals.

The inspection was conducted as a final incident investigation following complaints regarding incidents involving tenant falls and injuries at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living.

The investigation found regulatory insufficiencies in life safety related to the operation of alarm systems in the dementia-specific program. Two incidents involving tenant falls resulting in fractures were documented, and a civil penalty of $1,000 was assessed.

The complaint investigation substantiated incidents where tenants fell and sustained fractures. Tenant #1 fell while being assisted to the bathroom and fractured his/her left hip. Tenant #2 stepped out into the courtyard, fell, and fractured his/her left humerus. The alarm system connected to the courtyard door was not functioning properly on the day of the incident.

The inspection was conducted as a complaint investigation triggered by Complaint #23985-C regarding concerns about the quality and quantity of food at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living.

The investigation found that all eleven tenants interviewed agreed they received enough food to eat, with meals observed on July 27, 2009, being adequate and well received. No regulatory insufficiencies were identified related to the complaint.

Complaint Allegation #23985-C alleged inadequate quality and quantity of food, tenant dissatisfaction with meals, and a tenant not receiving enough food. The complaint was not substantiated as no regulatory insufficiencies were noted.

A complaint investigation on-site visit was conducted at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living on June 9, 2009, to investigate allegations related to tenant care and facility conditions.

The investigation found multiple regulatory insufficiencies related to tenant care, medication administration, staffing, and facility maintenance. Several complaint allegations were substantiated, including issues with bed alarms, apartment cleanliness, medication errors, unexplained bruising, and safety hazards in the dementia unit.

Complaint investigation #23677-C involved allegations including bed alarm use, apartment cleanliness, medication errors, unexplained bruising, staffing inadequacies, safety hazards, and inappropriate staff behavior. Several allegations were substantiated with observations and record reviews.

A complaint investigation on-site visit was conducted at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living to revisit previously substantiated complaints regarding evaluation of tenants, criteria for exclusion of tenants, service plans, staffing, and record checks.

The investigation found that the program completed required functional, cognitive, and health evaluations for tenants with changes in condition and updated service plans accordingly. No regulatory insufficiencies were noted during the revisit for evaluation, service plans, or staffing, although prior complaints had been substantiated. The program had received a 30-day waiver related to exceeding occupancy and transfer criteria for one tenant.

The complaint investigation was a revisit related to substantiated complaints in the areas of evaluation of tenants, criteria for exclusion of tenants, service plans, staffing, and record checks. The revisit confirmed that the program addressed prior regulatory insufficiencies.

An on-site monitoring evaluation was conducted at Bickford Cottage Assisted Living in West Des Moines to assess compliance with assisted living program regulations and to evaluate tenant satisfaction and program operations.

The evaluation identified three regulatory insufficiencies: failure to complete cognitive evaluations within 30 days of admission, failure to consult tenants when service plans were updated, and lack of a licensed dietician to approve therapeutic menus and review food service procedures. Tenant satisfaction was generally positive, though some concerns about staff shortages during meals and variety of activities were noted.

There was a substantiated complaint in the area of Service Plan.