The Vardell Report.Sterling Care Bethesda

Across 4 inspections from January 2020 to April 2026, state surveyors documented 37 findings at Sterling Care Bethesda; 37 have a recorded correction; CMS lists no enforcement action in the window.

Inspections

4

2020–2026, standard and complaint

Findings

37

Deficiencies cited by state inspectors

Corrected

37

Of 37 findings, with a recorded correction date

Penalties

0

No fines or payment denials in the window

Every inspection in the record window, newest first. A finding is a deficiency an inspector cited. CMS publishes what a complaint investigation cited, not what the complaint alleged.

1. Apr 272026

   Standard health inspection

   14 findings

   The same visit included a complaint investigation.

   • F558Reasonably accommodate the needs and preferences of each resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F584Honor 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F627Ensure the transfer/discharge meets the resident's needs/preferences and that the resident is prepared for a safe transfer/discharge.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F628Provide the required documentation or notification related to the resident's needs, appeal rights, or bed-hold policies.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F641Ensure each resident receives an accurate assessment.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F655Create and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admittedLevel DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F656Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F676Ensure residents do not lose the ability to perform activities of daily living unless there is a medical reason.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F688Provide appropriate care for a resident to maintain and/or improve range of motion (ROM), limited ROM and/or mobility, unless a decline is for a medical reason.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F694Provide for the safe, appropriate administration of IV fluids for a resident when needed.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F842Safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026
   • F880Provide and implement an infection prevention and control program.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected May 29, 2026

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

2. Feb 52026

   Complaint investigation

   2 findings

   • F809Ensure 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.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 12, 2026
   • F921Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 12, 2026

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

3. Mar 62025

   Standard health inspection

   11 findings

   The same visit included a complaint investigation.

   • F550Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F578Honor 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F584Honor 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F600Protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F658Ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F693Ensure 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F760Ensure that residents are free from significant medication errors.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F761Ensure 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F806Ensure each resident receives and the facility provides food that accommodates resident allergies, intolerances, and preferences, as well as appealing options.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025
   • F921Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Apr 1, 2025

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

4. Jan 312020

   Standard health inspection

   10 findings

   • F812Procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.Level FNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F657Develop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F791Provide or obtain dental services for each resident.Level ENo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F585Honor 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.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F684Provide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F690Provide appropriate care for residents who are continent or incontinent of bowel/bladder, appropriate catheter care, and appropriate care to prevent urinary tract infections.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F759Ensure medication error rates are not 5 percent or greater.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F926Have policies on smoking.Level DNo actual harm, potential for moreCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F580Immediately tell the resident, the resident's doctor, and a family member of situations (injury/decline/room, etc.) that affect the resident.Level BPotential for minimal harmCorrected Mar 17, 2020
   • F609Timely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.Level BPotential for minimal harmCorrected Mar 17, 2020

   Source: Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

Severity levels follow the CMS scope and severity grid. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: no actual harm, potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy.

A repeated citation can merit attention, but context and corrective action must be reviewed before drawing a conclusion.

1. 1

   Telling Families About Changes, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F580 in January 2020 and April 2026. This citation covers whether the resident, their doctor and a family member are told promptly about an injury, a decline or another significant change. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20252626F580 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
2. 2

   A Clean, Homelike Setting, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F584 in March 2025 and April 2026. This citation covers whether rooms and shared spaces are kept safe, clean, comfortable and homelike. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20252626F584 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
3. 3

   Care Plan Timing and Review, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F657 in January 2020 and April 2026. This citation covers whether care plans are written on time and revised by a team that includes the resident’s caregivers. None rose above level E (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20252626F657 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
4. 4

   Medication Error Rate, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F759 in January 2020 and March 2025. This citation covers whether medication errors stayed under 5 percent when inspectors watched medications being given. None rose above level D (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20252626F759 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest
5. 5

   Citation F921, Cited in Two Inspections

   Inspectors cited F921 in March 2025 and February 2026. The agency describes it this way: Make sure that the nursing home area is safe, easy to use, clean and comfortable for residents, staff and the public. None rose above level F (no actual harm, potential for more). Each citation has a recorded correction, and a repeat after correction is worth a direct question.

   20252626F921 across all 4 inspections, oldest to newest

Bring these to the tour. Each one comes from something in the record; the reason is under the question.

1. 01

   How quickly will we hear about a fall, an injury or a change in condition, and from whom?

   Telling Families About Changes: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

2. 02

   What was done about the cleanliness citation, and how are rooms and shared spaces checked now?

   A Clean, Homelike Setting: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

3. 03

   How often are care plans revised, and who takes part in the review?

   Care Plan Timing and Review: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level E.

4. 04

   How are medication passes checked, and what happens when an error is found?

   Medication Error Rate: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level D.

5. 05

   What changed after F921 was cited, and how do you check it now?

   Citation F921: cited in two inspections, most seriously at level F.

6. 06

   How many nurses and aides are on each shift, including nights and weekends, for the unit we are considering?

   No staffing citation appears in this window. Staffing levels are published separately by CMS and are worth asking about directly.

7. 07

   Has the home been fined or had payments denied before this record begins?

   CMS lists no fines or payment denials in this window. The record starts January 31, 2020; anything earlier is not in it.

Inspection results and penalties are published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from surveys conducted by the Maryland state survey agency.

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Jan 31, 2020 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Mar 6, 2025 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Feb 5, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Health inspection results, as published by CMS (Health Deficiencies and Inspection Dates, Provider Data Catalog)

  Maryland state survey agency

  Inspection Apr 27, 2026 · Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

• Provider Information, Provider Data Catalog

  Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services · 215187

  Published Oct 1, 2026 · Retrieved Nov 1, 2026

  View Dataset ↗

Historical coverage varies by agency and location. Missing records do not mean that no complaint or violation occurred.

Data architecture: Cierto supplies the source-backed machine-readable bundle. Life by Vardell independently creates the narrative, design, and consumer report.