Arbor Court, a nursing and rehabilitation center in Mt. Pleasant, is facing federal sanctions following the December 12 death of one of its residents. 

The female resident reportedly bled to death, just two weeks after moving into the facility. An investigation by the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals revealed that the resident was receiving a blood-thinning medication and an antibiotic, which, when combined, has the potential to increase the risk of internal bleeding. 

A warning of this result was issued by the facility’s electronic system, however patient records show that this warning was not acknowledged, nor was the resident’s primary care physician notified. Six days after the warning, a bloody discharge was identified draining from bed sores on the resident. She died the following day, after reportedly losing about four pints of blood. 

The state inspector’s findings resulted in a citation against Arbor Court for failing to ensure that each resident’s drug regimen was free from unnecessary drugs. It was the second such violation against the center in two months. 

Arbor Court has a history of violations including failure to properly diagnose and treat bed sores in January of 2021 and February of 2022. The citations resulted in fines of $166,551 and $27,000, respectively. The center was also fined $27,000 following the death of another female resident, as a result of brain damage following a fall in 2022. A suit was filed after the incident and is still pending. 

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services is determining if any further fines will be issued.