A Bloomington nursing home has been placed on a federal watch list that accuses it of "substantially failing" to meet required care standards.
Aperion Care, 1509 Calhoun St., is one of 88 nursing homes nationwide included in the federal Special Focus Facility Program. Those facilities could face additional federal inspections, fines and their Medicare and Medicaid eligibility.
An inspection report from last October shows 26 health citations against Aperion, more than twice the state average and more than three times the national average.
The report cites staff giving residents unnecessary medications and staff having to swat away flies that were entering the building through an exit smoking door.
The report also alleges beds and bed rails haven't been properly inspected.
There's one instance where a pot roast wasn't properly cooled, raising the risk of food-borne illness for its 72 residents.
The previous report from an inspection of Aperion conducted in March 2018 showed 83 citations.
An attorney for Aperion, Fred Frankel, said the company is aware of the report and is working with its staff to educate staff on procedures that would enable the company to be removed from the list. That would require two good inspections within the next year.
"We take is very seriously, this and all care matters and are working to constantly correct any issues that are at the facility," Frankel said.
He added Aperion has made investments in the facility after it acquired the home from Arba Care in December 2015.
"We took this over it was in a very bad financial state and we are working to correct things," Frankel said.
Aperion also brought nursing homes in Elgin, Toluca and Colfax from Arba. Apersion closed the Colfax facility.
Accolade Healthcare of Pontiac is listed among 400 nursing homes which are considered candidates for the Special Focus program.
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