facebook tracking Friends Nursing Home, Sandy Spring MD: CMS Ratings
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Friends Nursing Home

All states › Maryland › Sandy Spring › Friends Nursing Home

17340 Quaker Lane Sandy Spring, MD 20860 · Montgomery County

(301) 924-7531

All 2 nursing homes in Sandy Spring, MD (2 take Medicaid)

Accepts Medicare Accepts Medicaid 82 certified beds For profit Continuing care retirement community

CMS certification number 215211 · See this home on Medicare Care Compare

Ratings come from CMS and are updated monthly; these are from October 2026. Check the latest inspection report and visit in person before you decide.

Is Friends Nursing Home a good nursing home? Reviews, ratings and inspection record

There are no official resident reviews of nursing homes: Medicare's Care Compare publishes inspections, staffing and quality data instead. Here is what that record shows for Friends Nursing Home as of October 2026.

CMS rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall, above the Maryland average of 3.2. Inspectors issued 19 citations in the last three years. CMS imposed 6 penalties, including $18,010 in fines, in that time. For short-term rehab patients CMS rates quality 5 out of 5; for long-term residents, 2 out of 5. Those results differ a lot, so ask about the unit your family member would be on.

Online reviews from families and residents are on Google Maps and other sites; they reflect individual experiences and aren't checked by CMS. The full inspection reports, including what inspectors observed, are on Medicare Care Compare.

Staffing

Nursing staff spend about 3.93 hours per resident per day at Friends Nursing Home, above the Maryland median of 3.70 (US median: 3.72). About 0.75 of those hours are from registered nurses. Weekend staffing is close to its all-week average. 17.1% of nursing staff left within a year (Maryland median 40.9%). That is lower than most homes in Maryland, a sign of a steadier team.

Nursing care per resident per day 3.93 hours
Above the Maryland median of 3.70 Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and aides combined, from payroll records.
Registered nurse hours 0.75 per resident a day RNs handle assessments, medications and changes in condition.
Weekend nursing care 3.85 hours Per resident a day. A big drop from weekdays can mean thin weekend staffing.
Nursing staff turnover 17.1% a year Share of nursing staff who left over a year. Lower usually means steadier care.
Registered nurse turnover 0% a year Share of registered nurses who left over a year.
Administrators who left 0 in the past year Frequent leadership changes are worth asking about on a visit.

About this nursing home

Certified beds82
Residents per day 64 About 78% of beds filled, on average
OwnershipFor profit - Limited Liability company
Payment acceptedMedicare and Medicaid
Certified sinceJanuary 1990
Legal business nameFRIENDS HOUSE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY INC

Paying for care at Friends Nursing Home: Medicare and Medicaid

Friends Nursing Home is certified for both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare Part A can cover a short skilled-nursing or rehab stay here after a qualifying hospital stay of at least three inpatient days (observation days don't count), for up to 100 days per benefit period. Medicaid can pay for long-term care for residents who meet Maryland's income and asset rules. Being certified doesn't guarantee a Medicaid bed is open, so ask whether the home accepts residents whose Medicaid application is still pending.

In 2026 Medicare covers days 1–20 in full after the Part A deductible ($1,736 per benefit period); for days 21–100 you pay $217 a day; after day 100 you pay all costs. Medicare doesn't pay for long-term custodial care. Medicare's coverage rules.

Health inspections

The most recent standard inspection was on May 26, 2026 and found 5 deficiencies, plus 1 from complaint inspections in the same period. In total, inspectors issued 19 citations in the last three years.

Each citation has a scope and severity letter from A to L. A–C: potential for minimal harm. D–F: potential for more than minimal harm. G–I: actual harm. J–L: immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.

What the inspections found

Over the last three years, inspectors issued 19 citations at Friends Nursing Home across 4 inspection dates, 4 of them from complaint investigations. None were at the actual-harm or immediate-jeopardy levels; 18 were "potential for more than minimal harm" (D–F) and 1 was minimal (A–C). The most common areas cited were resident assessment and care planning (4) and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation (3). The most serious was cited under the CMS rule to "procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards" (tag F0812, level F, May 14, 2025). 3 citations were under CMS's abuse, neglect and exploitation rules.

May 26, 2026 · 6 citations · includes complaint inspection

EHonor 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2026)

EProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2026)

DPrevent the use of unnecessary psychotropic medications or use medications that may restrain a resident's ability to function.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0605 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2026)

DEnsure each resident’s drug regimen must be free from unnecessary drugs.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0757 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2026)

DEnsure 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Pharmacy Service Deficiencies · Tag F0761 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2026)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2026)

May 14, 2025 · 8 citations · includes complaint inspection

FProcure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Nutrition and Dietary Deficiencies · Tag F0812 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

EHonor 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.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Rights Deficiencies · Tag F0584 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

DDevelop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0656 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

DDevelop the complete care plan within 7 days of the comprehensive assessment; and prepared, reviewed, and revised by a team of health professionals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0657 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

DProvide safe, appropriate pain management for a resident who requires such services.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0697 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

DProvide and implement an infection prevention and control program.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Infection Control Deficiencies · Tag F0880 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

DKeep all essential equipment working safely.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Environmental Deficiencies · Tag F0908 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 10, 2025)

November 8, 2024 · 2 citations · includes complaint inspection

DTimely report suspected abuse, neglect, or theft and report the results of the investigation to proper authorities.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Freedom from Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation Deficiencies · Tag F0609 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2024)

DProvide appropriate treatment and care according to orders, resident’s preferences and goals.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Quality of Life and Care Deficiencies · Tag F0684 · Complaint inspection · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Dec 12, 2024)

May 20, 2021 · 3 citations

DCreate and put into place a plan for meeting the resident's most immediate needs within 48 hours of being admitted

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0655 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 3, 2021)

DEnsure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality.

Potential for more than minimal harm · Resident Assessment and Care Planning Deficiencies · Tag F0658 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 3, 2021)

BObserve each nurse aide's job performance and give regular training.

Potential for minimal harm · Nursing and Physician Services Deficiencies · Tag F0730 · Deficient, Provider has date of correction (Jul 3, 2021)

Questions to ask on a tour of Friends Nursing Home

  1. CMS cited the home under its abuse and neglect rules on May 26, 2026. How are staff trained, and how are concerns reported?
  2. Do you have a Medicaid bed open now, and will you admit someone whose Medicaid application is still pending?
  3. When is the first care-plan meeting, and can family attend?

Questions come from this home's CMS data: its inspections, staffing and ownership record.

Fines and payment denials

6 penalties in the last three years, including $18,010 in fines.

DateTypeAmount or length
Nov 20, 2023 Fine $3,904
Nov 13, 2023 Fine $3,496
Nov 6, 2023 Fine $3,208
Oct 30, 2023 Fine $2,857
Oct 23, 2023 Fine $2,447
Oct 17, 2023 Fine $2,098

Rating history

CMS monthOverallInspectionStaffingQuality
October 2026 5/5 4/5 5/5 3/5
August 2026 5/5 4/5 5/5 2/5
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Location

Hospitals near Friends Nursing Home

The Medicare-certified hospitals closest to this nursing home, with their CMS data. Ask the home which hospital it usually sends residents to.

  • 1.8 mi
    Montgomery General Hospital INC Olney
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 4h 19m for patients treated and sent home
  • 8.6 mi
    Holy Cross Hospital Silver Spring
    Emergency room ★★☆☆☆ Medicare overall 2 of 5
    Median ER visit 5h 14m for patients treated and sent home
  • 9.2 mi
    Howard County General Hospital Columbia
    Emergency room ★★★☆☆ Medicare overall 3 of 5
    Median ER visit 4h 26m for patients treated and sent home

Hospital ratings, ER visit times and more at Hospitals In Each State
Source: CMS Care Compare. Distances are approximate.

Nearby nursing homes

Brooke Grove Rehab. & Nursing Center Sandy Spring · 1.2 mi away ★★★☆☆ Inspection 3/5 · Staffing 4/5 190 beds · Medicaid
Bedford Court Healthcare Center Silver Spring · 3.5 mi away ★★★★★ Inspection 4/5 · Staffing 4/5 60 beds · Medicaid
Layhill Nursing and Rehabilitation Center Silver Spring · 3.8 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 129 beds · Medicaid
Harmony Suites Rehabilitation and Wellness Center Silver Spring · 4.2 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 1/5 · Staffing 3/5 100 beds · Medicaid
Fairland Center Silver Spring · 5.4 mi away ★★☆☆☆ Inspection 2/5 · Staffing 2/5 92 beds · Medicaid

More nursing homes near Friends Nursing Home ›   All nursing homes in Sandy Spring ›

Compare Friends Nursing Home with the 3 closest homes side by side ›

Source: CMS Provider Data Catalog (provider information, health deficiencies, penalties), October 2026. Inspection citations and penalties cover the last three years. Nursing Homes In Each State is independent and not affiliated with CMS or Medicare. About the data · Report a problem with this listing. Is this your nursing home? Feature it here.

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https://www.nursinghomesineachstate.com/maryland/sandy-spring/friends-nursing-home/ · Data: CMS, October 2026 · Nursing Homes In Each State, not affiliated with CMS or Medicare.