Sterling Care Bethesda
5721 Grosvenor Lane · Bethesda, MD · 20814 · 3015301600
200 certified beds For profit - Limited Liability company Chain: Sterling Care
Why this verdict
- Inspection results are getting worse cycle over cycle, not better.
- No federal fines or payment denials in CMS’s 3-year window.
The composite number cleared 70 points, but Recommended is gated: inspection record below the Recommended bar. That rule is part of the published method.
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
Cited under the freedom-from-abuse rule
Cited 2 times under F600 (freedom from abuse/neglect) below the actual-harm level — worth asking about on a tour.
Score breakdown
Quality-measure stars are deliberately excluded — they're largely self-reported by facilities. Full method.
CMS ratings & staffing
Overall: 4 of 5 Inspections: 4 of 5 Staffing: 2 of 5 Quality measures: 4 of 5
| Total nurse hours / resident-day | 3.17 | 3.48 min · 4.1 strong |
|---|---|---|
| RN hours / resident-day | 0.45 | 0.55–0.75 |
| Weekend hours / resident-day | 2.87 | ≈ weekday level |
| Nursing turnover / year | 47% | median 45% |
| Fines (3-yr window) | none |
Inspection citations (39 in the current record)
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Potential for harm · D April 27, 2026 · found via complaint
Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.
Deficient, Provider has no plan of correction · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · F February 5, 2026 · found via complaint
Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.
Corrected March 12, 2026 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · F February 5, 2026 · found via complaint
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Corrected March 12, 2026 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
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 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
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 April 1, 2025 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Ensure that feeding tubes are not used unless there is a medical reason and the resident agrees; and provide appropriate care for a resident with a feeding tube.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
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 1, 2025 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 2025
Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.
Corrected April 1, 2025 · Environmental
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Potential for harm · D March 6, 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 April 1, 2025 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D August 29, 2023 · found via complaint
Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.
Corrected September 26, 2023 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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Potential for harm · D January 31, 2020
Honor the resident's right to voice grievances without discrimination or reprisal and the facility must establish a grievance policy and make prompt efforts to resolve grievances.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Resident Rights
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Potential for harm · E January 31, 2020
Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Resident Assessment and Care Planning
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Potential for harm · D January 31, 2020
Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 31, 2020
Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · D January 31, 2020
Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Pharmacy Service
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Potential for harm · E January 31, 2020
Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Quality of Life and Care
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Potential for harm · F January 31, 2020
Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Nutrition and Dietary
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Potential for harm · D January 31, 2020
Have policies on smoking.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Environmental
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No harm found · B January 31, 2020
Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Resident Rights
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No harm found · B January 31, 2020
Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.
Corrected March 17, 2020 · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation
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 215187 · certified since February 10, 1989. The score is a screen, not a verdict on any one resident's experience — read how it's computed, then visit in person.