Multiple care facilities in Iowa were recently slapped with a fine of $500 for allegedly violating state regulations related to the abuse of residents and a lack of background checks on employees, according to a January 3 story in the Iowa Capital Dispatch.
The alleged violations included failing to complete a background check before employees worked in the care facilities and workers with criminal histories that should have been reviewed by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services but were not evaluated.
According to the Iowa Capital Dispatch, “The state fines were imposed by the Iowa Department of Inspections Appeals and Licensing, and are tied to allegations of failing to conduct background checks, failing to investigate cases of suspected abuse and failing to inform the state of potential resident abuse.”
In hospitals and home care settings, consistent background checks are crucial for risk mitigation and safety, considering employees of such facilities would be working with vulnerable populations such as the elderly and people with disabilities.
Here at GroupOne Background Screening, we work with hospitals and home care facilities to provide background checks, sanctions and criminal rechecks and drug testing. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us at helpdesk@gp1.com.