The Vardell Report.Optima Care Castle Hill

Across 7 inspections from November 2020 to January 2026, state surveyors documented 32 findings at Optima Care Castle Hill; 32 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 1 enforcement action in the window.

Inspections

7

2020–2026, complaint, standard and infection control

Findings

32

Deficiencies cited by state inspectors

Corrected

32

Of 32 findings, with a recorded correction date

Penalties

1

1 fine; payment not published

Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.

1. Jan 152026

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level JImmediate jeopardyCorrected Jan 16, 2026

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

2. Dec 42025

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Jan 20, 2026

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

3. Mar 102025

   Standard health inspection

   15 findings

   The same visit included a complaint investigation.

   • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 30, 2025
   • F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F610Respond appropriately to all alleged violations.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admittedLevel ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F677Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F689Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F690Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 2, 2025
   • F698Provide safe, appropriate dialysis care/services for a resident who requires such services.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F640Encode each resident’s assessment data and transmit these data to the State within 7 days of assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025
   • F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 18, 2025

   Enforcement Action

   Civil money penalty, $8,281 imposed January 15, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of March 10, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

4. Feb 102025

   Infection control inspection

   1 finding

   • F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2025

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

5. Aug 302024

   Complaint investigation

   1 finding

   • F921Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Aug 30, 2024

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

6. Jan 132023

   Standard health inspection

   13 findings

   • F661Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F801Employ sufficient staff with the appropriate competencies and skills sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, including a qualified dietician.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F582Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admittedLevel DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F676Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F695Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F757Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Feb 28, 2023
   • F836Ensure the facility is licensed under applicable State and local law and operates and provides services in compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and local laws, regulations, and codes, and with accepted professional standards.Level CPotential for minimal harmCorrected Feb 28, 2023

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

7. Nov 242020

   Standard health inspection

   No findings

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.

A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.

1. 1

   Investigating Alleged Violations, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F610 in March 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers how the home responds to and investigates an allegation of abuse, neglect or mistreatment. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20232425252526F610 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
2. 2

   The First 48 Hours, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F655 in January 2023 and March 2025. This citation covers the baseline care plan for a new resident’s immediate needs, due within 48 hours of admission. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20232425252526F655 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
3. 3

   Care Plans, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F656 in January 2023 and March 2025. This citation covers whether each resident has a written care plan that meets their needs, with goals that can be measured. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20232425252526F656 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
4. 4

   Accident Hazards and Supervision, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F689 in March 2025 and January 2026. This citation covers whether residents are protected from accident hazards and supervised closely enough to prevent accidents, including falls. The most serious of these was recorded at level J (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20232425252526F689 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
5. 5

   Respiratory Care, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F695 in January 2023 and March 2025. This citation covers oxygen, breathing treatments and other respiratory care. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20232425252526F695 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest
6. 6

   Infection Control, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F880 in January 2023 and February 2025. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20232425252526F880 across all 7 inspections, oldest to newest

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

1. 01

   When an allegation is made, who investigates it, and how are residents protected in the meantime?

   Investigating Alleged Violations: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

2. 02

   What happens in the first 48 hours after admission, and who writes the first care plan?

   The First 48 Hours: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

3. 03

   How is a care plan written and reviewed here, and how do families take part in it?

   Care Plans: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

4. 04

   What changed in fall prevention and supervision after the last citation, and how do you check that it is still working?

   Accident Hazards and Supervision: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level J.

5. 05

   Who manages oxygen and breathing treatments on each shift, and how is the equipment checked?

   Respiratory Care: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

6. 06

   Who leads infection control here, and how often are hand-hygiene and isolation practices audited?

   Infection Control: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

7. 07

   How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?

   No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.

8. 08

   What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?

   An $8,281 civil money penalty was imposed January 15, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid.

Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the New Jersey state survey agency.

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Nov 24, 2020 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Jan 13, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Aug 30, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Feb 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Mar 10, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Dec 4, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  New Jersey state survey agency

  Inspection Jan 15, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Penalties, Provider Data Catalog

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗
• Provider Information, Provider Data Catalog

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 315344

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗

Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.

Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.