One of the Iowa nursing homes managed by the bankrupt chain QHC Facilities is facing $4,750 in fines for insufficient staffing, a vermin infestation and injuries sustained by a resident.

According to state reports, inspectors visited QHC Humboldt North in north-central Iowa in January and cited the owners for eight federal regulatory violations and one state regulatory violation.

According to an inspector’s report, a certified nursing assistant told inspectors she and another CNA were preparing to use a mechanical lift to transfer a male resident from his bed to his wheelchair.

She told the inspector she informed the other CNA she was uncomfortable with the manner in which the device was set up, at which point the other aide cursed at her and proceeded with the transfer. The mechanical lift then tipped to one side and struck the resident in the forehead and one eye, causing him to scream “really loud and he began bleeding really bad.”

The CNA who spoke to inspectors said she told her colleague they needed to get help, prompting the other CNA to respond, “The f— we do. We just need to clean him up.”

Inspectors also cited the home for a “thick brown substance” on some of the floors and appliances, with one staffer remarking the facility was “not clean at all.”

They also cited the home for the presence of vermin, noting a large amount of dead bugs and worms at the end of one hall, insects in resident bathrooms and a large spider that was seen by the staff in one resident’s dresser.

Also, workers confirmed the facility was so short-staffed, call lights weren’t being answered in a timely fashion and one resident was left to sit on the toilet for an hour and 15 minutes.

In December, QHC Facilities filed for bankruptcy, claiming $1 million in assets and $26.3 million in liabilities.

The company, based in Clive, operates eight skilled nursing facilities in Tama, Madison, Humboldt, Jackson, Linn, Webster and Polk counties, as well as two assisted living centers.

In recent years, QHC and its affiliates have been hit with some of the largest federal fines ever imposed against an Iowa nursing home chain, with inspectors stating the company placed residents in immediate jeopardy due to substandard care.

At the same time, however, the company has sued its elderly residents for failure to pay for that care, and has not paid more than $700,000 in fines.