OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Optima Care Fountains has a Trust Grade of F, indicating significant concerns about the facility's care and safety practices. Ranking #330 out of 344 in New Jersey places it in the bottom half of all nursing homes in the state, and it is the lowest-ranked facility out of 14 in Hudson County. Although the facility is improving, having reduced its issues from 18 in 2024 to 5 in 2025, it still has serious concerns, including $424,416 in fines, which is higher than 95% of New Jersey facilities. On a positive note, staffing received a rating of 4 out of 5 stars, suggesting that staff generally stay longer, though the turnover rate of 51% is around the state average. However, there have been alarming incidents, such as a cognitively impaired resident being able to leave the unit unsupervised, and a resident not receiving pain management during a medical procedure, resulting in unnecessary suffering. Additionally, the facility failed to maintain proper food temperatures, which poses a risk of foodborne illness.
- Trust Score
- F
- In New Jersey
- #330/344
- Safety Record
- High Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ⚠ Watch
- 51% turnover. Above average. Higher turnover means staff may not know residents' routines.
- Penalties ⚠ Watch
- $424,416 in fines. Higher than 86% of New Jersey facilities, suggesting repeated compliance issues.
- Skilled Nurses ○ Average
- Each resident gets 31 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — about average for New Jersey. RNs are the most trained staff who monitor for health changes.
- Violations ⚠ Watch
- 33 deficiencies on record. Higher than average. Multiple issues found across inspections.
The Good
-
4-Star Staffing Rating · Above-average nurse staffing levels
-
Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, fire safety.
The Bad
Below New Jersey average (3.2)
Significant quality concerns identified by CMS
Near New Jersey avg (46%)
Higher turnover may affect care consistency
Well above median ($33,413)
Significant penalties indicating serious issues
Part of a multi-facility chain
Ask about local staffing decisions and management
The Ugly 33 deficiencies on record
Jul 2025
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Comprehensive Care Plan
(Tag F0656)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** C#NJ183884Based on interviews, medical record review and pertinent facility documents reviewed on 7/18/2025 and 7/21/2025, it wa...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Complaint #NJ183644Based on interviews, medical record review and pertinent facility documents reviewed on 7/18/2025 and 7/21/2025, it was determined that facility staff facility failed to maintain a ...
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Jan 2025
3 deficiencies
1 IJ
CRITICAL
(J)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) - the most serious Medicare violation
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Someone could have died · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ00181722, NJ00181697
Based on observation, interview, record review and review of other pertinent facility docume...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pharmacy Services
(Tag F0755)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ00182050
Based on interviews, review of medical records, and other pertinent facility documentation on 1/16/2025 ...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ00182050
Based on interviews, medical record review, and review of other pertinent facility documents on 1/16/202...
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Oct 2024
18 deficiencies
1 Harm
SERIOUS
(G)
Actual Harm - a resident was hurt due to facility failures
Deficiency F0697
(Tag F0697)
A resident was harmed · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to ensure one (1) of one (1) residents (Resident #157) reviewed for pain management received pain management related to pressure...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Resident Rights
(Tag F0550)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, policy review, and record review, the facility failed to ensure one of 45 (Resident (R) 26) sampled residents observed while dining were treated with dignity. Specific...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0583
(Tag F0583)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure personal privacy durin...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Deficiency Text Not Available
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, record review, and policy review, the facility failed to ensure interventions to aid in the hea...
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CONCERN
(D)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to ensure that two residents (...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, interview, and review of facility policy, the facility failed to ensure staff donned the ap...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Grievances
(Tag F0585)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Deficiency Text Not Available
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Free from Abuse/Neglect
(Tag F0600)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 3.
a. Review of R140's significant change MDS, with an ARD of 06/21/24 and located under the MDS tab of the EMR, revealed R140 ...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Report Alleged Abuse
(Tag F0609)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review, review of facility reported incidents (FRI), and review of facility policy, the facility fail...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Investigate Abuse
(Tag F0610)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview, record review, review of facility reported incidents (FRI), and review of facility policy, the facility fail...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0625
(Tag F0625)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to provide written information regarding the facility's bed-hold polic...
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CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0804
(Tag F0804)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observations, interviews, record review, and test tray sample, the facility failed to provide food that was palatable, ...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0865
(Tag F0865)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on record review, interviews, and observations, the facility failed to maintain documentation and demonstrated evidence of its' ongoing Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement (QAPI) prog...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
QAPI Program
(Tag F0867)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on interviews and record reviews, the facility failed to obtain feedback, use data, and take action to conduct systematic investigations and analyses of underlying causes or contributing factors...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on observation, interview, record review, and facility policy review, the facility failed to maintain proper food holding temperatures. This had the potential to affect 273 of 273 residents who ...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0847
(Tag F0847)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to inform three of three residents and/or their responsible parties (Resident (R) 380, R112, and R265) reviewed for arbitration agreements out...
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CONCERN
(F)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0848
(Tag F0848)
Could have caused harm · This affected most or all residents
Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure their arbitration agreement informed three of three residents and/or their responsible parties (Resident (R) 380, R112, and R265) re...
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Oct 2023
1 deficiency
MINOR
(B)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Minor Issue - procedural, no safety impact
Medical Records
(Tag F0842)
Minor procedural issue · This affected multiple residents
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Complaint #: NJ000163659 and NJ000164821
Based on interviews, and record review, as well as review of pertinent facility documen...
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May 2023
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(E)
📢 Someone Reported This
A family member, employee, or ombudsman was alarmed enough to file a formal complaint
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Accident Prevention
(Tag F0689)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Complaint #: NJ00164286
Based on observation, interview, and review of facility documentation on 05/23/23, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that emergency exit doors were unobstruc...
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Dec 2022
7 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0658
(Tag F0658)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** 2. On 11/18/22 at 8:58 AM, the surveyor observed Resident #204 sitting in a chair in their room.
A review of the resident's adm...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0692
(Tag F0692)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to ensure that residents were weighed monthly in accordance with physician's orders and facility policy. ...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Respiratory Care
(Tag F0695)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to maintain respiratory equipment...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0730
(Tag F0730)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on interview and record review, it was determined that the facility failed to evaluate the performance of all Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA) on an annual basis. This deficient practice occur...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0761
(Tag F0761)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation and interview, it was determined that the facility failed to label multidose medication containers with the open date. This was found in 1 of 9 medication carts inspected.
The de...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0711
(Tag F0711)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
15. The surveyor reviewed the PO for resident #146 which revealed that the physician did not physically or electronically sign the monthly PO for July 2022, August 2022, September 2022, and October 20...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Infection Control
(Tag F0880)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
5. On 11/14/22 at 12:03 PM, the surveyor observed unit 7 Housekeeper (HK #1) cleaning Resident #94's room located on the Covid positive section of the unit. HK#1 was a surgical mask, N 95 mask, eye pr...
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Dec 2019
1 deficiency
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0921)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Complaint NJ 00117978
Based on observation and interview on 12/4/19, it was determined that the facility failed to provide a safe and sanitary environment for 1 of 2 dining rooms on the South unit.
T...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "What changes have you made since the serious inspection findings?"
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Licensed and certified facility. Meets minimum state requirements.
- • Multiple safety concerns identified: 1 life-threatening violation(s), 1 harm violation(s), $424,416 in fines, Payment denial on record. Review inspection reports carefully.
- • 33 deficiencies on record, including 1 critical (life-threatening) violation. These warrant careful review before choosing this facility.
- • $424,416 in fines. Extremely high, among the most fined facilities in New Jersey. Major compliance failures.
- • Grade F (8/100). Below average facility with significant concerns.
About This Facility
What is Optima Care Fountains's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS an overall rating of 1 out of 5 stars, which is considered much below average nationally. Within New Jersey, this rating places the facility higher than 0% of the state's 100 nursing homes. A rating at this level reflects concerns identified through health inspections, staffing assessments, or quality measures that families should carefully consider.
How is Optima Care Fountains Staffed?
CMS rates OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS's staffing level at 4 out of 5 stars, which is above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 51%, compared to the New Jersey average of 46%.
What Have Inspectors Found at Optima Care Fountains?
State health inspectors documented 33 deficiencies at OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS during 2019 to 2025. These included: 1 Immediate Jeopardy (the most serious level, indicating potential for serious harm or death), 1 that caused actual resident harm, 30 with potential for harm, and 1 minor or isolated issues. Immediate Jeopardy findings are rare and represent the most serious regulatory concerns. They require immediate corrective action.
Who Owns and Operates Optima Care Fountains?
OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS is owned by a for-profit company. For-profit facilities operate as businesses with obligations to shareholders or private owners. The facility is operated by OPTIMA CARE, a chain that manages multiple nursing homes. With 334 certified beds and approximately 287 residents (about 86% occupancy), it is a large facility located in SECAUCUS, New Jersey.
How Does Optima Care Fountains Compare to Other New Jersey Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New Jersey, OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS's overall rating (1 stars) is below the state average of 3.2, staff turnover (51%) is near the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (1 stars) is much below the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Optima Care Fountains?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "What changes have been made since the serious inspection findings, and how are you preventing similar issues?" "Can I visit during a mealtime to observe dining assistance and food quality?" "How do you handle medical emergencies, and what is your hospital transfer rate?" "Can I speak with family members of current residents about their experience?" These questions are particularly relevant given the facility's Immediate Jeopardy citations.
Is Optima Care Fountains Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS has documented safety concerns. Inspectors have issued 1 Immediate Jeopardy citation (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death). The facility has a 1-star overall rating and ranks #100 of 100 nursing homes in New Jersey. Families considering this facility should ask detailed questions about what corrective actions have been taken since these incidents.
Do Nurses at Optima Care Fountains Stick Around?
OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS has a staff turnover rate of 51%, which is about average for New Jersey nursing homes (state average: 46%). Moderate turnover is common in nursing homes, but families should still ask about staff tenure and how the facility maintains care continuity when employees leave.
Was Optima Care Fountains Ever Fined?
OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS has been fined $424,416 across 7 penalty actions. This is 11.4x the New Jersey average of $37,323. Fines at this level are uncommon and typically indicate a pattern of serious deficiencies, repeated violations, or failure to correct problems promptly. CMS reserves penalties of this magnitude for facilities that pose significant, documented risk to resident health or safety. Families should request specific documentation of what issues led to these fines and what systemic changes have been implemented.
Is Optima Care Fountains on Any Federal Watch List?
OPTIMA CARE FOUNTAINS is not on any federal watch list. The most significant is the Special Focus Facility (SFF) program, which identifies the bottom 1% of nursing homes nationally based on persistent, serious quality problems. Not being on this list means the facility has avoided the pattern of deficiencies that triggers enhanced federal oversight. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review the facility's inspection history directly.