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(Des Moines, IA) -- Inspections at Iowa nursing homes saw a dramatic increase last year, according to a new state report.
Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand says while the average inspection rate is now every 12 months, the staff turn-over rate at those care facilities is still too high.
"They are bathing them, dressing them, feeding them. And so I think it's important for the state to be looking at what their job situations look like and why it would be 45% of people in those jobs are no longer employed in those jobs within the next year," Sand said.
Sand maintains the longer the nursing home workers stay, the better their relationships are with the residents and ultimately the care the employees provide.
Iowa still ranks near the bottom of the states in licensed nursing staff per resident.
The state report also shows the number of nursing homes in Iowa declined by 17 since 2024, but the number of residents per facility is low and among the best in the country.