Federal nursing home survey record · CMS-certified nursing home· Not a state assisted-living licensing record
STERLING CARE BETHESDA
BETHESDA, MD · 200 certified beds · Last Life Safety survey April 27, 2026
CMS Certification Number 215187 · first certified February 1989
Ownership
Operated by STERLING CARE · For profit - Limited Liability company
- Ownership changed June 1, 2022 (change of ownership)from SSC BETHESDA OPERATING COMPANY LLC
Position within MD
17 citations — more than 28% of the 221 certified nursing homes in MD. Compared within MD 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 8 citations; the earlier surveys in the window averaged 4.5. With 3 surveys on file this is a direction of travel, not a conclusion.
When is the next survey likely?
The window opens October 2027 — about 12 months from now. This facility’s last Life Safety survey was April 2026. Facilities in MD are typically surveyed 17–59 months after the last one (median 30), measured over 283 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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3 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
1 of the 17 citations on file is 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)
6 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 17 Life Safety citations above. The Physical Environment Index
- F-0584 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.
- 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.
- F-0926 Have policies on smoking.
How that compares
Compared with the median facility in MD, and nationally. Surveyors differ markedly between states, so the MD figure is the meaningful one.
| Measure | Citations |
|---|---|
| This facility | 17 |
| Median facility in MD | 22 |
| Median facility nationally | 11 |
Survey history
| Survey date | Citations |
|---|---|
| January 31, 2020 | 2 |
| March 6, 2025 | 7 |
| April 27, 2026 | 8 |
Most-cited tags
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Times cited | Last cited |
|---|---|---|---|
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | 3 | 2026-04-27 |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | 2 | 2026-04-27 |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | 2 | 2026-04-27 |
| K-0223 | Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector. | 2 | 2026-04-27 |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | 1 | 2026-04-27 |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | 1 | 2020-01-31 |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | 1 | 2026-04-27 |
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | 1 | 2026-04-27 |
What the citations cover
- Smoke Deficiencies 9
- Egress Deficiencies 3
- Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies 3
- Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies 1
- Other 1
| Category | Citations |
|---|---|
| Smoke Deficiencies | 9 |
| Egress Deficiencies | 3 |
| Gas, Vacuum, and Electrical Systems Deficiencies | 3 |
| Emergency Preparedness Deficiencies | 1 |
| Miscellaneous Deficiencies | 1 |
Every citation on file
As published by CMS, newest survey first. Descriptions are CMS’s own wording.
April 27, 2026 — 8 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0223 | Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0324 | Provide properly protected cooking facilities. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0341 | Install a fire alarm system that can be heard throughout the facility. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0362 | Ensure that corridors are separated from use areas by walls constructed to limit the passage of smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
| K-0920 | Ensure proper usage of power strips and extension cords. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (May 29, 2026) |
March 6, 2025 — 7 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| E-0039 | Conduct testing and exercise requirements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
| K-0222 | Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
| K-0223 | Provide exit doors that are held open by devices that will automatically close on the activation of a fire alarm or smoke detector. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
| K-0363 | Install corridor and hallway doors that block smoke. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
| K-0712 | Have simulated fire drills held at unexpected times. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
| K-0918 | Have generator or other power source capable of supplying service within 10 seconds. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (April 25, 2025) |
January 31, 2020 — 2 citations
| Tag | What the surveyor checks | Status |
|---|---|---|
| K-0353 | Inspect, test, and maintain automatic sprinkler systems. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 5, 2020) |
| K-0355 | Properly select, install, inspect, or maintain portable fire extinguishes. | Deficient, Provider has date of correction (February 5, 2020) |
Reflects the CMS posting of August 1, 2026. Surveys conducted in the last few months may not appear yet.