Iowa nursing home fined $6,750 after family forced to transport dying resident in personal car
Spencer, IA — A western Iowa nursing home has been fined $6,750 after state inspectors found that staff refused to call an ambulance for a struggling resident, forcing the woman's family to drive her to the hospital in their own car. The woman died two days later.
The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing (DIAL) cited the Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center in Clay County for failing to provide adequate nursing services. The fine stems from two separate incidents that raise serious concerns about resident care and staff accountability.
Family forced to transport dying resident without ambulance
According to state inspectors, a female resident admitted to the facility on May 21, 2026, began suffering from nausea and dizziness just two days later. When visiting family members decided she needed emergency room evaluation and requested an ambulance, staff told them it wasn't possible because the situation didn't qualify as an emergency.
“The family had to transport the resident in a personal vehicle,” inspectors wrote in their report. “(The resident) was minimally responsive. It took three people to get her out of the car when she arrived. It was difficult and distressing to the resident.”
The woman's son told inspectors his mother was “moaning and crying” during the transport. “He said she died two days later,” inspectors reported. “He said she shouldn't have had to go out that way.”
Dementia resident left struggling to breathe for hours before 911 called
The Spencer facility was also cited for its care of a female resident with dementia who appeared to be struggling to breathe on May 17, 2026. Around 11 p.m., the home finally called 911. Paramedics arrived to find the woman bluish in color with a 78% oxygen saturation level — anything below 88% is typically considered a medical emergency.
The woman was rushed to the hospital and admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in critical condition with pneumonia, a urinary tract infection, sepsis, and a possible heart attack, inspectors reported.
Paramedics told inspectors that when they asked staff for information on the resident's condition, workers initially said she had been fine “a little while ago.” When pressed, they acknowledged that assessment was from around 6 p.m. — five hours before 911 was called.
Administrator fired nursing director over unreported abuse allegation
Tron Dandy, the home's administrator, did not return messages seeking comment. State unemployment records show that in April 2026, Dandy fired the home's assistant director of nursing, Devyn Henson, for failing to properly report a January 2026 allegation of resident abuse.
According to an administrative law judge's findings, Dandy only learned of the alleged abuse when DIAL inspectors visited the home on March 23, 2026. DIAL's inspection records show inspectors were at the home that day but did not cite the facility for failing to report the abuse allegation.
What this means for Iowa families
This case highlights serious gaps in nursing home oversight and accountability in Iowa. Families placing loved ones in long-term care facilities deserve confidence that staff will act swiftly in medical emergencies. The Spencer Post Acute Rehabilitation Center's actions — or inactions — raise troubling questions about training, staffing, and a culture that appears to prioritize avoiding inconvenience over patient safety.
Iowa lawmakers and regulators should examine whether current penalties are sufficient to deter such failures. A $6,750 fine for a facility where a resident died after being denied an ambulance may not be enough to ensure real accountability.
FAQ: Nursing home resident transport and emergency care
Can a nursing home refuse to call an ambulance for a resident?
No. Federal and state regulations require nursing homes to provide necessary care and arrange for emergency medical services when a resident's condition warrants it. Refusing to call an ambulance for a resident showing signs of distress is a violation of those standards.
What should families do if a nursing home refuses emergency transport?
Families should call 911 themselves and report the situation to the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing immediately. Document all interactions with staff and seek legal counsel if a loved one is harmed.
How can I check a nursing home's inspection history in Iowa?
Iowa residents can search nursing home inspection records through the DIAL website or the federal Nursing Home Compare tool at Medicare.gov. These databases include citations, fines, and complaint histories.
What penalties does Iowa impose for nursing home neglect?
State fines can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars per violation, depending on severity. Federal penalties can include additional fines, denial of Medicare/Medicaid payments, and in extreme cases, termination from federal programs.