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SPIRIT LAKE, Iowa (AP) — An assisted living center in Spirit Lake did not adequately train workers and committed numerous medication errors, according to state regulators who said the facility presents an "imminent danger" to residents.
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals recently issued a $3,000 fine to Keelson Harbour Assisted Living for the violations, The Des Moines Register reported (http://dmreg.co/1guPiea ). It will be reduced to $1,950 if the facility's owners forgo an appeal.
Regulators said the fine was due to the alleged "imminent danger or the substantial probability of resultant death or physical harm" to residents. The violations indicate nonmedical staffers injected diabetic residents and borrowed medical supplies from residents to meet other residents' needs, according to records.
Keelson Harbour, which has 68 residents, is owned by Vista Prairie Communities in Minnesota. The housing corporation generated more than $50 million in revenue in 2012, the newspaper reported.
Patrick Rafferty, a Vista Prairie executive, said the Iowa inspectors' findings are being reviewed. He said a decision has not been made yet on whether Vista Prairie will appeal the fine.
"If there are issues, they will be corrected," he said.
The center's executive director declined to comment.
Among other findings, the facility is accused of serving meals that don't meet nutritional standards and retaining residents who are too disabled for assisted living care.
Kaelynn Gould, of Spencer, has a relative living at the facility. She called the fine too lenient.
"It's like a slap on the hand," she said. "The fine should be significant enough so it doesn't happen again and to remind them that they are being watched and will be held accountable for their actions when they are doing something wrong. I think a fine of $30,000 would be better. After all, they are in the business of caring for people."
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Information from: The Des Moines Register, http://www.desmoinesregister.com
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