Laurens, IA (northwestiowanow) — The Laurens Care Center is facing a possible $10,000 fine following the death of a resident during a medical emergency earlier this month.

According to a state inspection report, the incident occurred on October 6.

Staff reported hearing a resident in the facility’s dining room making what were described as sneezing noises before she became unresponsive. A nurse found the woman unconscious and unable to respond. She was then moved to her room, where staff observed she still had a pulse but had critically low oxygen levels and was gasping for breath.

The inspection report states staff members could be seen in surveillance footage standing around the resident’s bed discussing whether CPR should be performed. A responding officer arrived shortly before 8:02 a.m., and body camera footage allegedly showed the director of nursing telling the officer she was “pretty sure” the resident had already died.

Facility records indicated CPR was not started until nearly 15 minutes after the resident was first found unresponsive.

Inspectors allege CPR was not fully initiated until after the resident’s daughter requested it and a responding officer applied a defibrillator. The report further alleges that while chest compressions were administered, no rescue breaths were provided during approximately 10 minutes of resuscitation efforts.

One nurse later told inspectors she was unsure of the facility’s policy regarding CPR.

According to the medical examiner’s report, the resident died from cardiac arrest caused by a foreign object obstructing her airway.

State inspectors concluded the facility failed to provide basic CPR, which includes maintaining an airway, providing rescue breaths, and administering chest compressions.

The proposed $10,000 fine has been suspended pending a review by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which will determine whether additional federal penalties are warranted.