
Report
TheVardellReport
Trenton Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
512 Union Street
Trenton, NJ 08611

TheVardellReport
Skilled nursing facility and nursing facility
512 Union Street
Trenton, NJ 08611
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 April 2022 to April 2026, state surveyors documented 47 findings at Trenton Gardens Rehabilitation and Nursing Center; 47 have a recorded correction; CMS lists 4 enforcement actions in the window.
* Partial year, through October 1, 2026.
| Year | Inspections | Findings | Of which, actual harm (level G or above) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 2025 | 4 | 29 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
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.
2 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
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, $170,802 imposed December 11, 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 December 11, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Denial of payment imposed December 11, 2025. Status: Closed, April 9, 2026. CMS does not tie a penalty to a survey; listed with the standard health inspection of December 11, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $102,463 imposed April 17, 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 December 11, 2025, the nearest before the penalty date.
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)
1 finding
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
8 findings
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
4 findings
Enforcement Action
Civil money penalty, $334,806 imposed July 29, 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 May 10, 2024, the nearest before the penalty date.
Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)
8 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 F689 in May 2024, May 2025, July 2025, October 2025, December 2025 and April 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 L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F812 in April 2022, May 2024 and February 2026. This citation covers how food is stored, prepared and served. The most serious of these was recorded at level L (immediate jeopardy). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.
Inspectors cited F582 in April 2022 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Give residents notice of Medicaid/Medicare coverage and potential liability for services not covered. 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 May 2025 and December 2025. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. 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 F610 in May 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.
Inspectors cited F657 in April 2022 and May 2025. This citation covers whether care plans are written on time and revised by a team that includes the resident’s caregivers. 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.
Inspectors cited F755 in April 2022 and December 2025. 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 F838 in October 2025 and December 2025. The agency describes it this way: Conduct and document a facility-wide assessment to determine what resources are necessary to care for residents competently during both day-to-day operations (including nights and weekends) and emergencies. 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 May 2024 and December 2025. This citation covers hand hygiene, isolation practice and the home’s infection-prevention program. 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.
For Your Next Visit
Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.
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 six inspections, most seriously at level L.
May we see the kitchen, and what do your own sanitation checks look like week to week?
Kitchen and Food Safety: cited in three inspections, most seriously at level L.
What changed after F582 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F582: 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 F.
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.
How often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?
Care Plan Timing and Review: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level J.
How often does the consultant pharmacist review each resident’s medications?
Pharmacy Services: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.
What changed after F838 was cited, and how do you check it now?
Citation F838: 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 F.
How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?
Insufficient nursing staff was cited in December 2025.
What led to the 2026 fine, and has it been paid?
A $102,463 civil money penalty was imposed April 17, 2026. CMS publishes the fine, not whether it has been paid. The record holds four 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 Apr 14, 2022 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection May 10, 2024 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection May 15, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Jul 29, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Oct 14, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Dec 11, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Feb 6, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
New Jersey state survey agency
Inspection Apr 17, 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 · 315324
Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026
Record windowApril 14, 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.