Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
OPTIMA CARE CASTLE HILL
UNION CITY, NJ · 215 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey March 10, 2025
CMS Certification Number 315344 · first certified August 1995
Ownership
Operated by OPTIMA CARE · For profit - Limited Liability company
- Ownership changed July 26, 2022 (change of ownership)from CASTLE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS LLC
Position within NJ
27 citations — more than 89% of the 348 certified nursing homes in NJ. Compared within NJ rather than nationally because which state a facility is in explains about 30% of the variation in citation counts between facilities, while bed count explains under 1%. State survey agencies differ far more than the buildings do. How this is calculated
The latest survey found 15 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 6. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window is open now: June 2026 to November 2026. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was March 2025. Facilities in NJ are typically surveyed 16–20 months after the last one (median 17), measured over 431 consecutive surveys in the last two years of CMS records.
A range the record supports, not a prediction of a date. State agencies vary widely — from about 11 months in Pennsylvania to three years in Maryland. How the window is measured
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2 inspection-and-testing tags have been cited here at more than one survey. Nationally, that pattern is common: about three quarters of cited facilities have at least one repeated tag, and half of the facilities ever cited for sprinkler inspection and testing are cited for it again. A repeat is usually a recordkeeping gap rather than a new hazard.
Emergency preparedness
4 of the 27 citations on file are Emergency Preparedness E-tags. E-tags are cited under 42 CFR §483.73 and concern the emergency plan, training, drills, communications and supplies. Nationally about half of certified facilities have at least one. The Emergency Preparedness Index
Physical environment (health survey)
5 physical-environment citations on the health survey. Cited by the health surveyors under Appendix PP, not the Life Safety Code surveyor: equipment in safe operating condition, the call system, bed rails, pest control, hazards, the environment. Counted separately from the 27 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0689 Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.
- F-0880 Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
- F-0921 Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in NJ, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the NJ figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 27 |
| Median facility in NJ | 15 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| November 24, 2020 | 0 |
| January 13, 2023 | 12 |
| March 10, 2025 | 15 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | 2 | 2025-03-10 |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 2 | 2025-03-10 |
| K-0281 | Install proper backup exit lighting. | 2 | 2025-03-10 |
| K-0311 | Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. | 2 | 2025-03-10 |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | 2 | 2025-03-10 |
| K-0921 | Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed. | 1 | 2025-03-10 |
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | 1 | 2023-01-13 |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 1 | 2025-03-10 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 11
- Egress Deficiencies 5
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 5
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 4
- Other 2
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 11 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 5 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 5 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 4 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 2 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
March 10, 2025 — 15 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0004 | Develop and maintain an Emergency Preparedness Program (EP). | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 18, 2025) |
| E-0018 | Establish procedures for tracking staff and patients during an emergency. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 30, 2025) |
| E-0029 | Develop a communication plan. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 30, 2025) |
| E-0041 | Implement emergency and standby power systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 20, 2025) |
| K-0232 | Have corridors or aisles that are unobstructed and are at least 8 feet in width. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025) |
| K-0281 | Install proper backup exit lighting. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025) |
| K-0293 | Have properly located and lighted "Exit" signs. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 30, 2025) |
| K-0311 | Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 13, 2025) |
| K-0321 | Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 13, 2025) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 2, 2025) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 2, 2025) |
| K-0753 | Have restrictions on the use of highly flammable decorations. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 2, 2025) |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 2, 2025) |
| K-0921 | Ensure that testing and maintenance of electrical equipment is performed. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 12, 2025) |
January 13, 2023 — 12 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0281 | Install proper backup exit lighting. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 28, 2023) |
| K-0291 | Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 10, 2023) |
| K-0311 | Have an enclosure around a vertical opening shaft. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 10, 2023) |
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 28, 2023) |
| K-0351 | Install an approved automatic sprinkler system. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 10, 2023) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (March 10, 2023) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 10, 2023) |
| K-0374 | Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 28, 2023) |
| K-0741 | Have posted "No-smoking" signs in areas where smoking is not permitted or ashtrays provided where smoking was allowed. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 28, 2023) |
| K-0911 | Meet requirements for the installation and maintenance of electrical systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 10, 2023) |
| K-0914 | Ensure receptacles at patient bed locations and where general anesthesia is administered, are tested after initial installation, replacement or servicing. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 28, 2023) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 10, 2023) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.