Fort Dodge Health: Staff Told Dying Resident Joke - IA
The incident occurred at Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation when emergency medical services arrived to transport the resident to the hospital. The woman, identified in the inspection report as Resident #2, did not survive surgery.
An EMS provider who witnessed the exchange expressed concern about how the staff member addressed the resident. The provider told state investigators that no staff member or caregiver should speak to a resident in that manner, especially someone with dementia.
The same EMS crew helped settle the resident down during transport to the ambulance after the verbal exchange occurred.
When confronted about the statements during an interview on August 7, 2025, the staff member identified as Staff D denied making them. She told investigators that if she had said those words, which she failed to remember, she would have said them in a joking manner.
During a follow-up interview on August 19, Staff D described the deceased resident as a "known jokester." She maintained that she still couldn't recall making the statements documented by the EMS provider.
Staff D offered two explanations for the incident. She suggested that if she did say something like that, she would have been joking. She also mentioned that she had suffered a stroke in March and might not remember making the statements.
The facility's Resident Rights policy, reviewed in June 2023, explicitly states that each resident has the right to be treated with consideration, respect and full recognition of their dignity and individuality.
Federal inspectors cited the facility for violating regulations requiring dignified treatment of residents. The violation was classified as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm to few residents.
The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint filed with state health officials. Investigators completed their review on August 27, 2025.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about how nursing home staff interact with vulnerable residents, particularly those with cognitive impairments like dementia. Federal regulations require facilities to ensure all residents receive respectful treatment that recognizes their individual dignity.
Staff D's inability to recall the incident, despite witness testimony from emergency medical personnel, raises questions about accountability in facilities caring for the state's most vulnerable populations. The EMS provider's decision to report the incident demonstrates the role outside healthcare workers play in identifying potential violations of resident rights.
The facility has not publicly responded to the inspection findings. State health officials have required Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation to submit a plan of correction addressing how they will prevent similar incidents in the future.
The resident's death following the medical emergency adds gravity to what might otherwise be dismissed as inappropriate workplace humor. The timing of the staff member's comments, made in front of emergency responders during a serious medical situation, underscores the severity of the violation.
Federal inspectors documented the incident as part of their broader review of resident rights protections at the facility. The investigation reveals gaps between written policies promising dignified treatment and actual staff behavior during critical moments of care.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation from 2025-08-27 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 20, 2026 · Our methodology
Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation in Fort Dodge, IA was cited for violations during a health inspection on August 27, 2025.
The incident occurred at Fort Dodge Health and Rehabilitation when emergency medical services arrived to transport the resident to the hospital.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.