Lincoln County Care: Call Light Safety Failures - ID
The April inspection found two residents unable to summon assistance during potential medical emergencies. Federal investigators documented the violations as having potential to cause harm if residents experienced adverse events requiring immediate attention.
Resident #12 has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a condition that severely limits lung function and can create breathing emergencies. On April 12 at 9:59 AM, inspectors observed him lying in bed while his call light hung down the wall and under his bed. The man also has dementia and could not independently reach the device.
Twenty-six minutes later, CNA #1 acknowledged to inspectors that the resident's call light should have been within reach but wasn't.
Across the facility, Resident #35 faced a similar problem. The woman has suffered repeated falls and a stable fracture of her lumbar vertebra in her back. She was readmitted to the facility after an earlier stay for these conditions.
On April 12 at 10:09 AM, inspectors found her sitting in her recliner with her call light draped over an overbed table that staff had pushed against her bed on the opposite side of the room. She could not reach it from her chair.
The resident told inspectors that staff had pushed her table against the bed that morning after removing her breakfast tray, leaving her unable to access her call button. Given her history of falls and back fractures, the placement created particular risk if she needed immediate assistance.
CNA #1 confirmed to inspectors at 10:27 AM that this resident's call light also should have been within reach but had not been.
The facility's own policy, version 1.3 of its Answering the Call Light procedure, specifically requires ensuring call lights remain accessible to residents. The policy states its purpose is "to ensure timely responses to the resident's requests and needs."
The next day, April 13 at 10:48 AM, the registered nurse coordinator acknowledged to inspectors that residents' call lights should be within reach and had not been in these cases.
Both violations occurred despite clear facility protocols. The inspection narrative notes that staff understood the requirement but failed to follow it consistently during routine care activities like meal service and general room maintenance.
For Resident #12, the inaccessible call light posed particular danger given his respiratory condition. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can cause sudden breathing difficulties requiring immediate medical intervention. Without access to his call button, he would have been unable to summon help during a respiratory crisis.
Resident #35's situation created different but equally serious risks. Her history of repeated falls and spinal fractures meant she needed reliable access to assistance, especially when transitioning between sitting and standing. The breakfast service routine that left her call light unreachable eliminated her safety net during vulnerable moments.
The inspection classified the violations as having potential for minimal harm, but noted the serious consequences that could result if residents experienced medical emergencies while unable to call for help.
Federal investigators reviewed 12 residents for compliance with residents' rights requirements and found these call light accessibility failures in two cases. The violations demonstrate how routine care activities can compromise basic safety protections when staff fail to maintain proper protocols.
The deficiency affects residents who depend entirely on call systems to communicate their needs to staff. Both residents required the devices within reach due to their medical conditions and physical limitations, making the accessibility failures particularly concerning for their ongoing safety and care.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Lincoln County Care Center from 2026-04-15 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
Additional Resources
Data source: Official federal inspection data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS).
Editorial process: AI-synthesized regulatory data, reviewed for accuracy by our editorial team.
Professional review: All content reviewed by Christopher F. Nesbitt, Sr., NH EMT & BU-trained Paralegal.
Last verified: June 21, 2026 · Our methodology
Lincoln County Care Center in Shoshone, ID was cited for violations during a health inspection on April 15, 2026.
The April inspection found two residents unable to summon assistance during potential medical emergencies.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns. Review the full report below for specific details and facility response.