We’re not in the business of chasing headlines—we’re in the business of getting it right. In this episode, we fact-check recent reporting regarding certain audit findings, clear up what CMS data actually says, and explain why some reports aren’t ours to release. Then we shift gears to celebrate the two long-term care facilities recently honored with the 2025 Governor’s Award for Quality Care in Health Care Facilities - Briarwood Health Care Center in Iowa City and Ruthven Community Care Center in Ruthven.

• 42 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) §488.7
• Briarwood Health Care Center Wins Governor's Award
• Ruthven Community Care Center Honored with 2025 Governor's Award

Think OSHA only shows up when something goes wrong? Think again! In this episode, we’re talking about Iowa OSHA’s free and confidential consultation services that help employers spot and fix safety issues before anyone gets hurt—and without any citations or fines. We’ll also discuss two programs for employers: SHARP, designed to recognize small businesses with top-notch safety practices, and VPP, for companies going above and beyond in workplace safety. It’s all about keeping your team safe and your business running smoothly.  

• Check out the IOSHA Consultation and Education page on the DIAL website for more information
• Request an on-site consultation
• Ask IOSHA about workplace safety/health
• Contact IOSHA consultation staff at [email protected]

What exactly is "social gambling?" When do you need a license to gamble? In this episode, we'll dive into DIAL's oversight of social and charitable gambling - beginning with social gambling. This episode covers the different types of social gambling licenses, where you can and can't gamble, who needs a license, and what each license allows. Did you know you don't need a license to put together brackets for you and your coworkers to predict college hoops winners this March? Did you also know there is a legal limit to how much you can bet and win on those brackets? We "bet" you didn't!

• Visit DIAL's website to read all about social and charitable gambling and link to specific Iowa Code and Iowa Administrative Code.
• Apply for a gambling license
• Contact DIAL's social and charitable gambling staff at [email protected].

A minority of nursing homes have more problems than other nursing homes, more serious problems than most other nursing homes, or a pattern of serious problems that have persisted over a long period of time. These types of facilities are eligible for the Special Focus Facility (SFF) Program. Long-Term Care Bureau Chief Vicki Worth explains how the program works and how facilities can "graduate" from the program.

Just how does the process work when someone files a complaint about a nursing home, assisted living facility, hospital, or other health facility that DIAL regulates? Are complaints confidential? Long-Term Care Bureau Chief Vicki Worth is back with Communications Director Stefanie Bond to explain the process, and how anyone can search for and find survey (inspection) results on the department's Health Facilities online database.

• File a complaint about a health facility regulated by DIAL.
• Search the Health Facilities' database at dia-hfd.iowa.gov.
• Search reports on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' QCOR website.

When COVID-19 was quickly spreading across the globe in March 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ordered state survey agencies like DIAL to "stand down" and suspend recertification surveys for nursing homes. Once the dust settled and agencies were again allowed to perform these "recerts," a backlog had developed. Now the states had a problem they needed to overcome: getting rid of the backlog and getting back to normal with the timing of nursing home recertification surveys. Join DIAL Communications Director Stefanie Bond and Long-Term Care Bureau Chief Vicki Worth to learn more about how the State is working to meet its obligations as the state survey agency for Iowa nursing homes.

• CMS: Mission & Priorities Document (MPD) for FFY2024 (most recent)
• CMS: State Performance Standards System (SPSS) Guidance FFY2021
• CMS: State Performance Standards System (SPSS) Guidance FFY 2022
• CMS: State Performance Standards System (SPSS) Guidance FFY 2023
• CMS: State Performance Standards System (SPSS) Guidance FFY 2024

Welcome to DIALED IN, the podcast from the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing. DIAL's podcast will answer some of the basic (and not-so-basic) questions surrounding the work the department undertakes, from nursing home surveys, fraud investigations, and administrative hearings to licensing for food establishments, physicians, electricians, and more. Join us and get DIALED IN today!

There are many misconceptions on how both state and federal fines work for long-term care facilities (nursing homes) in Iowa. Join DIAL Communications Director Stefanie Bond and Long-Term Care Bureau Chief Vicki Worth to find out when the State can impose a fine, why State fines get suspended, and how much DIAL can legally fine a facility for a deficient practice. For additional information, check out: 

• Iowa Administrative Code Chapter 56 [Fining & Citations]
• Iowa Code Chapter 249A.57 [Health Care Facility Penalties]