Sunnycrest Nursing Center, located in Dysart, Iowa, has been at the center of a legal battle amid a bankruptcy filing by its owner, QHC Facilities. The facility, along with several others, was slated for sale to Blue Diamond Equities, but complications have arisen due to outstanding fines for poor quality resident care. The potential buyer has indicated reluctance to assume Medicare certification for certain homes, prompting the U.S. Department of Justice to seek a delay in the sale proceedings.
Despite efforts to sell the nursing home chain, QHC Facilities has announced plans to close three of its facilities, including Sunnycrest Nursing Center. Issues such as a flooring problem at one location and low resident census levels at others have been cited as reasons for the closures. The federal government has intervened to ensure proper protocols are followed in closing the facilities, with a focus on safeguarding the well-being of the remaining residents.
The Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals has approved plans to close Sunnycrest Nursing Center, while negotiations continue between QHC Facilities and Blue Diamond regarding which facilities will be purchased. Outstanding debts totaling $2.1 million to taxpayers for fines and penalties have added another layer of complexity to the situation. With ongoing legal battles and uncertainties surrounding the sale process, the future of Sunnycrest Nursing Center remains in flux.