F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
D

Failure to Protect Residents from Financial Exploitation

Estherville Community Care CenterEstherville, Iowa Survey Completed on 09-25-2025

Summary

The facility failed to provide a safe environment free from financial exploitation of dependent adult abuse for 3 of 3 residents reviewed. Resident #41 had diagnoses of cancer, anxiety disorder, and depression, with a BIMS score of 14 indicating no cognitive impairment. After the resident discharged from the facility, the resident’s son reported the bank notified him of fraudulent debit card charges that began while the resident was still living at the facility and totaled over $13,000. A local law enforcement officer confirmed criminal charges against a CNA, Staff A, in connection with fraudulent purchases made using Resident #41’s debit card information, with additional charges pending investigation. The Administrator reported Staff A had been terminated after law enforcement removed the staff member from the facility and after learning of another resident’s missing money and debit card. Resident #43 had diagnoses of bipolar disorder, spinal stenosis, and muscle weakness, and a BIMS score of 14 indicating no cognitive impairment. The resident’s husband reported charges on the resident’s credit card account after discharge, and the resident stated she kept her debit card in her purse in the closet of her room while she was frequently away at therapy. The bank statement showed the first fraudulent charge attempt occurred while the resident was still at the facility, with transactions continuing after discharge. The incident report documented that law enforcement was notified, and a local law enforcement officer later confirmed evidence of Staff A attempting to withdraw money from Resident #43’s bank account at a drive-through window, with criminal charges filed and further investigation ongoing. Resident #32 had diagnoses of cancer, need for assistance with personal cares, and reduced mobility, with a BIMS score of 15 indicating no cognitive impairment. The resident and her husband reported cash and a credit card missing from a purse kept in the resident’s room, with money disappearing on more than one occasion. The husband described placing cash in the purse for personal expenses and later finding bills missing, along with a missing credit card. The Administrator reported the incident to law enforcement and reimbursed the resident $50. The facility policy defined abuse and misappropriation of a resident’s property as the deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful use of a resident’s belongings or money without consent.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

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See other F0600 citations
Failure to Protect Resident During Transfer Resulted in Right Tibia Fracture
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F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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An agency NA forcefully pushed a wheelchair-bound resident through a doorway while the resident was caught in the frame, causing the resident’s foot to strike both shins and resulting in bruising, swelling, pain, and an acute right tibia fracture. The resident had dementia, muscle weakness, and required assistance with mobility and transfers. CCTV and the facility’s investigation showed the NA did not follow safety measures during the transfer.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Prevent Resident-to-Resident Abuse During Constant Observation
J
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia and a history of aggression assaulted another resident in a hallway, pushing him from a chair onto the floor and then attempting to strike him with a chair while a third resident was nearby. Staff on constant observation and another observer did not intervene until after the resident had already been pushed down, despite the resident being on enhanced supervision for prior resident-to-resident altercations. Both residents had severe cognitive impairment, and interviews showed the assigned aide did not understand the urgency of the constant observation role.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Delayed Reporting of Resident-on-Resident Sexual Abuse
J
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

Delayed reporting of resident-on-resident sexual abuse allowed continued nonconsensual sexual contact. A resident with schizophrenia and moderate cognitive impairment reported that his roommate kissed, touched, and sexually assaulted him without consent, while the roommate admitted to sexual contact. A nurse aide heard the allegation but did not report it right away, and the unit manager later confirmed the delay.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Respond to Alleged Sexual Abuse and Assess Resident Distress
J
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
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Failure to respond appropriately to an alleged sexual abuse incident: a resident with intact cognition alleged a CNA raped them during incontinence care, but the resident remained in the facility for hours without a documented medical or psychosocial assessment. The CNA said they provided care and applied ointment to the resident’s groin and vaginal area, while video showed the CNA in the room for 36 minutes. The resident was later tearful, fearful, and distrustful of staff, and the DON and admin did not report the allegation to DOH because the resident later described rough handling.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Separation Between Residents With Known History of Aggression
G
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

Failure to Maintain Separation Between Residents With Known Aggression: A resident with a known hx of resident-to-resident physical aggression struck another resident in the head with a cane in the dining room, causing a bump, laceration, and bruising. The assaulted resident was non-ambulatory, dependent on staff for transfers, and had dementia, while the aggressive resident had intact cognition, used a cane, and had a care plan for prior physical altercations. Staff placed the residents in the same area with limited supervision, and the aggressive resident stated the other resident deserved it and that he would hit him again.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Verbal Abuse During Hospital Discharge Discussions
G
F0600 F600: Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Short Summary

A resident with stroke-related diagnoses and cognitive intact status was transferred to the hospital for weakness, dizziness, pallor, and low K+. After the resident was stable for return, the DON and administrator went to the hospital and, along with the owner and corporate administrator on speaker phone, were reported by the resident and hospital staff to have yelled, been rude and aggressive, and told the resident the facility would not take the resident back because of behaviors and money owed. The resident stated feeling pressured, outnumbered, and insignificant.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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