
Report
TheVardellReport
Optima Care Fountains
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
595 County Avenue
Secaucus, NJ 07094

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
595 County Avenue
Secaucus, NJ 07094
Life by Vardell Presents
The deeper story, beautifully organized. Available records, historical context, and questions worth asking.
This report is free. Vardell does not certify, grade or endorse; it shows what the record documents.
The Essentials
Across 8 inspections from December 2022 to February 2026, state surveyors documented 43 findings at Optima Care Fountains; 43 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 2 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 7 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 | 18 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 | 12 | 0 |
Chronology
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.
12 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
3 findings
The same visit included an infection control inspection.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
18 findings
The same visit included a complaint investigation.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $34,138 imposed October 17, 2024. 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 October 17, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $17,345 imposed January 30, 2025. 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 October 17, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
No findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
No findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
7 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.
Context
A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.
Inspectors cited F842 in October 2023, January 2025 and July 2025. This citation covers whether resident records are complete, accurate and kept confidential. 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.
Inspectors cited F583 in October 2024 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. 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.
Inspectors cited F584 in October 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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.
Inspectors cited F755 in January 2025 and February 2026. This citation covers pharmacy services and the licensed pharmacist who oversees them. 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.
Inspectors cited F761 in December 2022 and October 2024. This citation covers how drugs are labeled and kept locked, including controlled drugs. 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.
Inspectors cited F812 in October 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F880 in December 2022 and October 2024. 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
How can a family request a resident’s records, and how are they kept accurate?
Medical Records: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F583 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F583: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?
A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
How are medications stored and secured, and who checks the medication carts?
Medication Labeling and Storage: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.
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.
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.
What led to the 2025 fine, and has it been paid?
A $17,345 civil money penalty was imposed January 30, 2025. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds two enforcement actions in the window.
The Evidence
Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the New Jersey state survey agency.
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Dec 2, 2022 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Oct 17, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Oct 24, 2023 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Jul 5, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Oct 17, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Jan 30, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Jul 22, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Feb 19, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 315476
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowDecember 2, 2022 – October 1, 2026
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.