Sterling Care Bel Air
410 East McPhail Road · Bel Air, MD · 21014 · 4108387810
155 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Sterling Care
Why this verdict
- Carries CMS’s abuse warning icon.
- Inspection record is far worse than the national median (deficiency count and severity).
- Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
The complete Safety Report — $19
Everything on this page plus the full citation-by-citation history with inspector findings, the complete penalty record, staffing vs benchmarks, side-by-side nearby comparisons, and the printable tour checklist. One PDF, emailed in minutes, yours to keep and share with family.
Red flags
CMS abuse warning
CMS flags this facility with its abuse icon: cited for abuse that caused harm in the past year, or potential harm in the past two years.
2 abuse-related citations at the actual-harm level
Inspectors cited failures in the abuse-prevention rules (F600–F610) that resulted in actual harm to a resident.
2 actual-harm citations in the most recent cycle
Inspectors found deficiencies that caused real harm to residents, beyond potential-harm paperwork findings.
If someone you love was harmed at a facility with findings like these, you have options — read this.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 3 of 5 Inspections: 2 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 5 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.64 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.40 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 3.23 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 39% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (45 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Honor the resident's right to request, refuse, and/or discontinue treatment, to participate in or refuse to participate in experimental research, and to formulate an advance directive.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Provide care and assistance to perform activities of daily living for any resident who is unable.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E March 12, 2026
Provide safe and appropriate respiratory care for a resident when needed.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E March 12, 2026
Ensure that nurses and nurse aides have the appropriate competencies to care for every resident in a way that maximizes each resident's well being.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Nursing and Physician Services
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D March 12, 2026
Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.
Corrected April 13, 2026 · Infection Control
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Potential for harm · D October 17, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.
Corrected December 9, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Actual harm · G August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Actual harm · G August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Not hire anyone with a finding of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or theft.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Give the resident's representative the ability to exercise the resident's rights.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Honor the resident's right to a safe, clean, comfortable and homelike environment, including but not limited to receiving treatment and supports for daily living safely.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · E August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles; and all drugs and biologicals must be stored in locked compartments, separately locked, compartments for controlled drugs.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · F August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Ensure food and drink is palatable, attractive, and at a safe and appetizing temperature.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · E August 21, 2025 · found via complaint
Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.
Corrected October 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D December 13, 2024 · found via complaint
Ensure necessary information is communicated to the resident, and receiving health care provider at the time of a planned discharge.
Corrected January 13, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D December 13, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected January 13, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · E December 13, 2024 · found via complaint
Provide enough food/fluids to maintain a resident's health.
Corrected January 13, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
Showing the 25 most recent. The Safety Report includes every citation with full findings.
Family & resident reviews — a separate signal, never mixed into the score
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Source: CMS Care Compare (public domain), data as of June 1, 2026 · CCN 215312 · certified since September 16, 1997. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.