CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER
Within standard 12-15 month inspection cycle. Federal law requires annual inspections.
Families considering Children's Specialized Hospital in Toms River, New Jersey, will find it has an excellent Trust Grade of A, indicating a high level of quality care. The facility ranks #19 out of 344 in New Jersey, placing it in the top half of nursing homes in the state, and #2 out of 31 in Ocean County, meaning there is only one better local option. The facility is improving, as the number of issues noted dropped from three in 2023 to two in 2024. Staffing is a strong point with a 5/5 star rating and a turnover rate of 35%, which is lower than the state average, ensuring continuity of care. However, there were some concerning findings, such as a lack of proper food sanitation practices and cleanliness issues in resident rooms, which families should consider when making their decision. Overall, while there are areas needing attention, the facility's strong staffing and improving trends are positive indicators.
- Trust Score
- A
- In New Jersey
- #19/344
- Safety Record
- Low Risk
- Inspections
- Getting Better
- Staff Stability ○ Average
- 35% turnover. Near New Jersey's 48% average. Typical for the industry.
- Penalties ✓ Good
- No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most New Jersey facilities.
- Skilled Nurses ✓ Good
- Each resident gets 224 minutes of Registered Nurse (RN) attention daily — more than 97% of New Jersey nursing homes. RNs are the most trained staff who catch health problems before they become serious.
- Violations ○ Average
- 7 deficiencies on record. Average for a facility this size. Mostly minor or procedural issues.
The Good
-
5-Star Staffing Rating · Excellent nurse staffing levels
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5-Star Quality Measures · Strong clinical quality outcomes
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Full Sprinkler Coverage · Fire safety systems throughout facility
-
No fines on record
-
Staff turnover below average (35%)
13 points below New Jersey average of 48%
Facility shows strength in staffing levels, quality measures, fire safety.
The Bad
11pts below New Jersey avg (46%)
Typical for the industry
The Ugly 7 deficiencies on record
Sept 2024
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Safe Environment
(Tag F0584)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and review of pertinent facility documents it was determined that the facility failed to provid...
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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, and review of other facility documents, it was determined that the facility failed to handle potentially hazardous food and maintain sanitation in a safe and consisten...
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Jun 2023
3 deficiencies
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 review of medical record it was determined that the facility failed to assure that 1 of 3 r...
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CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Food Safety
(Tag F0812)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interviews and review of facility documentation it was determined that the facility failed to: a.) properly handle and store potentially hazardous foods in a manner intended to p...
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CONCERN
(E)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Pressure Ulcer Prevention
(Tag F0686)
Could have caused harm · This affected multiple residents
Based on observation, interview, review of medical records and other pertinent facility documentation it was determined that the facility failed to: a.) assure that a pressure relieving device was in ...
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Aug 2021
2 deficiencies
CONCERN
(D)
Potential for Harm - no one hurt, but risky conditions existed
Deficiency F0688
(Tag F0688)
Could have caused harm · This affected 1 resident
Based on observation, interview, medical record review and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility failed to apply bilateral upper extremity splints based on the pe...
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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, interview, record review and review of other facility documentation, it was determined that the facility f...
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Understanding Severity Codes (click to expand)
Questions to Ask on Your Visit
- "Can I speak with families of current residents?"
- "What's your RN coverage like on weekends and overnight?"
Our Honest Assessment
- • Grade A (90/100). Above average facility, better than most options in New Jersey.
- • No major safety red flags. No abuse findings, life-threatening violations, or SFF status.
- • No fines on record. Clean compliance history, better than most New Jersey facilities.
- • 35% turnover. Below New Jersey's 48% average. Good staff retention means consistent care.
- • No significant concerns identified. This facility shows no red flags across CMS ratings, staff turnover, or federal penalties.
About This Facility
What is Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River's CMS Rating?
CMS assigns CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars, which is considered much above average nationally. Within New Jersey, this rating places the facility higher than 99% of the state's 100 nursing homes. This rating reflects solid performance across the metrics CMS uses to evaluate nursing home quality.
How is Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River Staffed?
CMS rates CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER's staffing level at 5 out of 5 stars, which is much above average compared to other nursing homes. Staff turnover is 35%, compared to the New Jersey average of 46%. This relatively stable workforce can support continuity of care.
What Have Inspectors Found at Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River?
State health inspectors documented 7 deficiencies at CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER during 2021 to 2024. These included: 7 with potential for harm.
Who Owns and Operates Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River?
CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER is owned by a non-profit organization. Non-profit facilities reinvest revenue into operations rather than distributing to shareholders. The facility operates independently rather than as part of a larger chain. With 26 certified beds and approximately 14 residents (about 54% occupancy), it is a smaller facility located in TOMS RIVER, New Jersey.
How Does Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River Compare to Other New Jersey Nursing Homes?
Compared to the 100 nursing homes in New Jersey, CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER's overall rating (5 stars) is above the state average of 3.3, staff turnover (35%) is significantly lower than the state average of 46%, and health inspection rating (4 stars) is above the national benchmark.
What Should Families Ask When Visiting Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River?
Based on this facility's data, families visiting should ask: "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?"
Is Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River Safe?
Based on CMS inspection data, CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER has a clean safety record: no substantiated abuse findings (meaning no confirmed cases of resident harm), no Immediate Jeopardy citations (the most serious violation level indicating risk of serious injury or death), and is not on the Special Focus Facility watch list (a federal program monitoring the lowest-performing 1% of nursing homes). The facility has a 5-star overall rating and ranks #1 of 100 nursing homes in New Jersey. While no facility is perfect, families should still ask about staff-to-resident ratios and recent inspection results during their visit.
Do Nurses at Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River Stick Around?
CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER has a staff turnover rate of 35%, 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 Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River Ever Fined?
CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER has no federal fines on record. CMS issues fines when nursing homes fail to meet care standards or don't correct problems found during inspections. The absence of fines suggests the facility has either maintained compliance or corrected any issues before penalties were assessed. This is a positive indicator, though families should still review recent inspection reports for the full picture.
Is Childrens Specialized Hospital Toms River on Any Federal Watch List?
CHILDRENS SPECIALIZED HOSPITAL TOMS RIVER 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.