Atlantic Specialty Care

Pros

• The food served at Atlantic Specialty Care was good and sufficient.
• The administrator was responsive to concerns, replacing the mattress upon request.
• There were efforts made by staff to address issues raised by residents, such as bringing in additional pillows for comfort.
• The reviewer appreciated the opportunity to inform state officials about areas needing improvement in care and staffing.
• The reviewer expressed a desire for staff training improvements, showing concern for better patient care in the future.

Cons

• The reviewer experienced long wait times for assistance, sitting on a bedpan for 45 minutes after ringing the bell.
• A friend of the reviewer was mistakenly given shots in the middle of the night, indicating poor staff communication and oversight.
• The nursing staff appeared to be overwhelmed and shorthanded, with one nurse managing medication for multiple wings while expressing frustration at patients' needs.
• The reviewer’s medications were unavailable upon arrival due to a staffing issue, leading to inadequate pain management options.
• The condition of the bed was unacceptable, requiring numerous pillows for comfort before the mattress was finally replaced.
• Concerns were raised about the inappropriateness of 16-year-old staff members handling male clients without proper supervision or experience.
• An overall lack of training and professionalism among staff members led to negative experiences for patients, including inadequate response to calls for assistance.

Review

The experience described by a patient at Atlantic Specialty Care paints a troubling picture of the facility, revealing significant shortcomings in both staff availability and quality of care. The individual recounts a deeply unsatisfactory stay marked by negligence and a lack of attentiveness that ultimately prompted an early discharge. Despite acknowledging that the food was satisfactory and the staff appeared sufficient in number, the overall environment left much to be desired, raising serious questions about patient welfare.

A critical incident shared in the review involves waiting for 45 minutes on a bedpan after repeatedly ringing for assistance. This delay reflects a broader pattern of neglect; the reviewer notes that staff frequently appeared overwhelmed and unable to provide timely care. The account extends to another resident who was wrongly awakened multiple times for medication—mistakenly believing she was someone else—and almost administered unnecessary injections. Such incidents illustrate not only disorganization within the staffing procedures but also highlight potential safety risks resulting from miscommunication among staff members.

The reviewer’s frustration with medication administration further underscores systemic issues at Atlantic Specialty Care. Upon arrival, their prescribed medication was unavailable due to complications arising from staff turnover, leaving them without essential pain relief. Instead of receiving adequate treatment, they were offered only extra-strength Tylenol—a far cry from what they required given their regular prescription regimen prior to admission. This lapse is alarming considering their transition from ICU at a medical center where one would expect seamless continuity of care.

Further compounding these problems were inadequate living conditions within the facility itself. The reviewer describes discomfort caused by substandard bedding upon arrival, necessitating repeated requests for additional pillows until their mattress could be replaced. Even when approached with feedback about such essentials, it appears that administrative responses lacked immediacy or perhaps adequate concern until prompted by repeated complaints or direct appeals for attention.

Delving deeper into staffing concerns, the reviewer expressed astonishment upon discovering that new employees—specifically two 16-year-olds—were deployed in roles where they were responsible for interacting with vulnerable patients without adequate supervision or experience. Training provided over just two days seems grossly insufficient for handling complex healthcare situations involving elderly clients and individuals requiring specialized care. Such revelations raise pressing ethical questions regarding hiring practices and whether appropriate protective measures are being taken to ensure patient safety.

Finally, as parting advice upon exit from Atlantic Specialty Care, the reviewer advocated for comprehensive retraining across all levels of staff interaction with residents—including nurses—to improve overall service quality significantly. Their call for immediate reforms echoes throughout various aspects discussed: promptness in attending to calls for assistance, accurate identification when providing medications, ensuring proper staffing levels during shifts, and addressing basic comfort needs like bedding arrangements should form fundamental priorities within any facility entrusted with patient care.

In conclusion, while some elements within Atlantic Specialty Care may have been acceptable—such as meal provisions—the overwhelming share of negative experiences indicates an urgent need for substantial improvement across multiple dimensions of service delivery. Systemic changes must take place through thoughtful training programs and better resource allocation if this facility aims to restore trust among its patients and families seeking dependable recovery environments.

This part of Atlantic, Iowa, offers a range of amenities that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several hospitals and pharmacies in close proximity, residents have easy access to medical care and prescriptions. The various places of worship nearby provide spiritual nourishment for those seeking community and connection. Additionally, the selection of restaurants and cafes offer dining options for every taste preference. The parks in the area provide opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation, while the nearby transportation services make it easy for seniors to get around town. Overall, this part of Atlantic combines essential services with recreational opportunities, making it a desirable location for senior living.

Hospitals

• Allen House (0.1 miles)
• Southwest Iowa Mental Health (0.6 miles)
• Cass County Health System-ER (0.6 miles)
• Cass County Memorial Hospital (0.6 miles)
• Atlantic Medical Center (0.6 miles)
• Anita Medical Center (12.5 miles)

Places of Worship

• Our Father'S House Ministries (0.2 miles)
• United Church of Christ (0.5 miles)
• First Assembly of God Church (0.6 miles)
• Southwest District Iowa Conference UMC (0.8 miles)
• United Methodist Southwest (0.8 miles)
• Iowa Annual Conference (0.8 miles)
• New Life Church Cogop (0.9 miles)

Restaurants

• Burger King (0.7 miles)
• Oinkers Lounge & Grill (0.8 miles)
• Subway (0.8 miles)
• McDonald's (0.8 miles)
• Schwan's (0.9 miles)
• Weitzel's Restaurant & Bar (0.9 miles)
• Xu's Golden Dragon Chi (1.3 miles)

Pharmacies

• Rex Pharmacy (0.8 miles)
• Walmart Pharmacy (0.9 miles)
• Rex Pharmacy (1.3 miles)
• Anita Clinic Pharmacy (12.5 miles)
• Elk Horn Pharmacy (13.9 miles)

Transportation

• Troublesome Creek Taxidermy (1 miles)
• Dan's Wildlife Creations (1.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (1.6 miles)
• Atlantic Municipal Airport (AIO) (2.7 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (13.1 miles)

Parks

• Atlantic Parks & Recreation (1.2 miles)
• Atlantic City Park (1.3 miles)
• Sunnyside Park (1.7 miles)
• Old Glory Park (11.1 miles)
• Plow in the Oak (12.3 miles)
• Keystone Park (12.4 miles)
• Lake Anita State Park (12.5 miles)

Physicians

• Griswold Medical Center (13 miles)
• Myrtue Medical Center (13.9 miles)
• Marquardt Russell G PA-C (13.9 miles)

Cafes

• Bearded Goat Coffee (13.1 miles)
• Coffeegirl (14 miles)