POST FALLS - The state has issued the nursing home portion of Life Care Center of Post Falls an "immediate jeopardy" citation, the most serious citation for a skilled nursing facility.

The specific situation which drew the citation will be released in about two weeks when report on the state's compliance survey of the facility is completed.

"No one died and no one is presently in danger (due to the situation)," said Tom Shanahan, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare spokesman.

"There could be fines related to this case, but it is too early to speculate if fines will be assessed. We are working with the facility on a daily basis to correct and monitor. Any fines would be initiated after the issue is resolved and a followup survey is conducted."

A fine would be levied by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Shanahan said there have been three cases - including Life Care's - of immediate jeopardy statewide during the past year.

"It is not rare for this to occur, but not common either," Shanahan said.

There are 78 skilled nursing facilities in Idaho.

Immediate jeopardy is a situation in which immediate corrective action is necessary because the facility's noncompliance has caused injury, harm or impairment to a resident.

Robin Leary, Life Care's executive director, issued a written statement about the citation on Friday.

"Residents are the top priority at Life Care Center of Post Falls," she wrote. "Their safety and well-being are our focus in our day-to-day operations. We have already hosted associate training to ensure that moving forward the citation is corrected. We are submitting a plan of correction notifying the state of these changes.

"We consider ourselves partners with the state, and we continue to work in cooperation with them while focusing on providing compassionate health care services to our residents."

Leigh Atherton, public relations director for Life Care Centers of America, said no further information could be released.

Shanahan said the citation is related to clinical standards of care, which can affect more than one resident.

"Details will be available when the report is complete," Shanahan said.

The citation came as a result of a recent compliance survey at the facility.

Shanahan said the citation only pertains to the nursing home portion of Life Care's campus in Post Falls, not the other levels of care.

Life care has until Nov. 6 to correct the problem.

Life Care's nursing facility in Post Falls was federally certified on Feb. 24, 2009.