Fifteen of Iowa’s 135 home-health agencies have been inspected by the state so far this year and 14 of them have been cited for violations. Four of the agencies cited for violations are run by county health departments. At one privately operated agency, inspectors found that patients were in immediate jeopardy caused by a nurse who failed to follow a patient’s orders for resuscitation and then left the patient’s home without calling 911 after concluding the man was dead.
Fifteen of Iowa’s 135 home-health agencies have been inspected by the state so far this year and 14 of them have been cited for violations. Four of the agencies cited for violations are run by county health departments. At one privately operated agency, inspectors found that patients were in immediate jeopardy caused by a nurse who failed to follow a patient’s orders for resuscitation and then left the patient’s home without calling 911 after concluding the man was dead.
Some home care business owners are concerned that AI-driven devices may replace the need for their services, essentially putting them out of business. As a home care business owner of over 21 years myself, I have experienced firsthand both the positive and negative impact of AI on my business. However, I believe that AI should not be seen as a threat in the home care industry but rather as a valuable tool that can enhance service quality and efficiency, result in positive client outcomes and boost overall profitability while complementing the irreplaceable human touch.
Nursing homes are closing at a rate of 100 facilities per year since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, according to the American Health Care Association. The National Center for Assisted Living says labor shortages, inflation and government underfunding have resulted in nursing homes limiting admissions, downsizing and closing, rendering tens of thousands of vulnerable individuals displaced and countless prospective residents and families in need of care.